Before and After I Stopped Drinking

Before …

Before I stopped drinking alcohol I was tired all the time, overweight, slept terribly, and consumed junk food, or no food at all. My hands were numb most mornings. I had headaches and heartburn almost every day. In addition to the headaches and heartburn, I had body aches, heart palpitations, and high blood pressure. I thought that I was simply aging and that getting old sucked! I lived in this miserable condition, waiting for the high light of the day, to start drinking again.

After…

Now that I have been sober for over two years I have twice the energy and have lost 30 pounds. I watch what I eat now but I still like my junk food in moderation. I am two years older of course but no longer FEEL old. I have no heart issues, my BP is great and I haven’t had heartburn in at least a year. The highlight of my day is waking up bright-eyed to a good life! Now my nightcap at the end of the day a movie, or a book, and an occasional bowl of ice cream

Before…

Before I stopped drinking I was pretty much a basket case. Self-hatred ruled my life, I was envious, bitter, angry, and passively watching life go by. I was paranoid, regretful, always living in the past, or fretting over the smallest things. I hide in alcohol to make it all go away.

After…

Now that I have been sober for two years all of that has changed. Boundaries are now a staple in all of my relationships. I’m looking out for my own peace and happiness. There is no more self-hatred and I’m working on my self-esteem. I’m trying to accept situations and people from a place of stability, not running and hiding from problems. I’m facing my demons and being grounded in my faith in God, and my faith that when things seem impossible, tomorrow brings a new day and a better perspective.

Why I was drinking I spent so many years, in a false world. I thought that I needed alcohol to survive, or to be happy.

The truth is, drinking is what kept me from the one thing I was always chasing after… peace.

Perspective from Two Years Sober

-Drinking vs Sobriety-

---

Drinking

D– desperate for an escape 

R– rerunning the same old non-solution over and over 

I– Investing our time and money into something that does nothing for us except create turmoil and destruction 

N– Never feeling peace, or safety in ones own skin 

K– Knowing what we’re doing to ourselves is harmful, and devastating, and hating ourselves for it 

I– Initially was a go-to hiding spot, but turned ugly and unsustainable 

N– Nights where 2:00 am is a normal waking up time, feeling horrible, dry-mouthed, and regretful 

G– Grand illusions that when we drink, we’re in control, we’re happy, we’re content, we’re unstoppable….. All a lie..,,,,

---

Sobriety

S– Searching our hearts and souls, discovering who we really are, without being controlled 

O– On a path that opens up our minds and spirits to so much more in life 

B- Being comfortable in our own skin, liking ourselves, for who we are 

R– Remembering again, literally, our minds heal, and we can recall smells and events that weren’t thought of in years 

I– Indulging in ourselves! Something new, taking care of our needs, our desires, our dreams.

E– Enjoying times of peace, knowing things will work out, if not that day, understanding the next day brings promise 

T– Taking on those things that drove us to hiding in the bottle. Scary and painful at times, but in the process, the best gift we could give ourselves, peace of mind 

Y– Yesterday is gone, no more regrets of what you said, or did last night because of alcohol. A fresh beginning, a clean slate, to become who you were meant to be.

---

MORE FROM THIS AUTHOR :

Where Dreams are Lived – the Road from Fantasy to Reality

More Sober Stories from Our Community:

Sober Milestones – Reflecting on Living Life Free

---