Most of us drink to feel free, but I’ve dumped the alcohol, I’ve ditched the drink, and now I’m working toward sobriety. Why?

A story that keeps me Focused on WHY I’m on this Sober Journey– We drink to feel free but sadly this is the reality of alcohol when it takes over like it might for me:

He was a restaurant manager. One night, he got off work, went to the bar next door, got trashed, went to another bar, more drinking, back to the first bar where the bartender and his friend who tried to talk him out of driving home. He drove anyway, got on the freeway going the wrong way, hit a car head-on and killed 2 of the 3 family members inside. The survivor is injured for life. The drunk driver was killed in the accident. An entire family is gone. A child without parents, facing medical problems for life. THIS is what can happen when one person decides to drink and drive. And I know that when I start drinking alcohol lies to me. Just like it lied to him. Just one more ….

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Day 1 Sober! Wake up and smell the coffee!

Stop trying to turn a full stop into a comma
You don’t want to drink anymore so just stop
If alcohol needs to leave you
Let it go
It’s not meant to be in your life
And if it’s not meant for you
How are you missing out?
If we don’t kick alcohol out the door
We could be missing out on positive things more

What if fate was to whisper:
“I have a life meant for you
Full of quality, happiness and zing
You just need to put more effort in
And see sober as a win”

When you no longer feel you need to change your mental state to enjoy and live your life
That sounds like a clue that you’re getting it right

And though life comes with every emotion
Sometimes through much of the day or night
You don’t need a toxic potion
To have the courage to sit with it or fight

It won’t fix things
It just dims your light

And blotting problems out
Doesn’t erase them
It just gives you many more and less time to solve them

Alcohol does give us more though, more:
Stress
Anxiety
Time awake at 3am
Broken relationships
Broken friendships
Time feeling useless
Mistakes we wouldn’t normally make
Ill health
Depression
Feeling unmotivated

Alcohol is a fun, joy, health and productivity stealer
Like a sponge
It sucks the life right out of us while doping us up to the eyeballs

Alcohol the fun stealing sponge 

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A story that shows me I CAN DO this Sober Journey and it’ll be more than worth it! The reality of sobriety :

I have been friends for over 20 years with a long time, forever drinker. His drink of choice was vodka. Large, full tumblers full of vodka at every social occasion, from start to finish, often hours worth. He was defiantly happy with his vodka.  Was diagnosed several years ago with Parkinson’s, became an angry (angrier than he already was) drunk who was horrible to his wife, horrible to be around, really.  Finally he was told by his doctor that if he didn’t stop drinking, his Parkinson’s would get even worse and he would die within the year.  He stopped drinking that day and has stayed stopped for 5 years.  This is a guy I could never imagine would ever stop, or could ever stop.  He stopped–he’s outlived all expectations, and from what I understand from his wife, he is a completely different person. Sobriety offers everything that alcohol promised! Except the hangover.

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If you can’t find the light today
We’ll sit with you in the dark
It’s ok
Don’t make permanent decisions
On temporary feelings, anger
Or a heavy heart
Don’t be swayed

If for this day all you want to do
Is cry and hide away
Safe from the world under a warm duvet
A blanket fort
Or a quilt or two
We’ll join you sitting in silence
And bring hot chocolate and marshmallows too

If you can’t find the right words to speak
And don’t know what to say or do
Send us a little post
And we’ll be there for you

Sometimes people who have been through the mill
Hear you when you’re quiet
And know your strength of will

If you can’t find it again just yet
We’ll keep you company until
Your AF determination reappears
Like a kitten on a unicorn
With really cute ears

Life doesn’t have to be dull just cos you’re getting sober
We don’t have to grow up too much
Just because we’re getting older

We need to redefine “Alcohol Free “
Feel the feels
And stay connected really

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If you’re “sober curious” … If you are drinking too much too often and want to stop or take a break…or if you have stopped drinking and are trying to stick to sober! Talk to Us. 

We are an independent, anonymous and private community who share resources, support and talk it through every day. It helps to have a community behind you in a world where alcohol is the only addictive drug that people will question you for NOT using

You can read more about us Here And join  Here

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Don’t let the shame of the stigma keep you from saying

“I think I have a problem with drinking”

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Read more :

How do you Stop Drinking? Our Community Shares What Worked for Us

Finding the Courage to go Sober

Ten Ways to Overcome My Drinking Problem