When I chose to eliminate alcohol from my life I knew it would be hard at the beginning. I learnt very quickly that by changing the drink in my glass – I was also changing my life for the better. After an on off alcohol drinking career that had lasted 34 years with many ups and
Christmas loneliness is something that I’ve become accustomed to as a single parent. This year, as the pandemic keeps us away from family and friends, loneliness will most likely be something that many people struggle with. It can be especially hard to deal with loneliness if you are newly sober during this festive season. Drinking,
I am over 2 1/2 years alcohol-free and I feel frustrated. While living AF is the great new normal for me the question in my third sober year is what is next? I want more. I have gratitude for my sobriety and for everyone who has helped me along the way. I have no desire
There is a classic film called “A Christmas Carol” from 1951 that was adapted from the Charles Dickens book. At some point in your life, you have likely read the book or seen one of the many film or stage adaptations. I’ve been thinking about my sobriety in the context of that movie as I
As I was thinking about how to write this article – how to best express my feelings about one whole year of sobriety – I remembered something I saw on an episode of The Biggest Loser several years ago. One of the contestants on that particular season, Abby, had been through a horrific tragedy when her husband
It was ten months ago. Right at the beginning of the high-pressure holiday season. I had poured out the last of my vodka bottle and had finished my last beer. I knew that it was time to quit drinking but I had been denied entry into inpatient rehab. I decided I was going to go
