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The following morning, after the kids were off to school, I told my wife that I was an alcoholic and that I was seeking help. She was angry — especially about the lies. She didn’t realize how much lying is an integral part of alcoholism. She then began to question me about any other lies I told in the past. I hesitated for a while, not wanting to hurt her any more.
Does sobriety get easier over time?
When you push your way through the most difficult parts of life, things eventually begin to look up again. Sure, recovery still ebbs and flows. Some days are harder than others, but for the most part, it's gotten easier to be a person living a sober life.
All that’s left is pain and a compulsion to keep using — this is how all addiction works. (This is similar to how social media impacts our brain, by the way). Once I quit drinking on April 12th, it wasn’t like it was all smooth sailing from there. It’s challenging, it’s beautiful, it’s mind-blowing, and it’s excruciating — all rolled into one. The best way I can describe the intensity of it is to say that it’s like having a 20-year mental & emotional growth spurt condensed into one year.
months sober
Praying and pondering my addiction was helpful. If you do what you always did, you’ll get what you always got. The best treatment plan is trying every resource Valley Hope offers. Find AA or NA, and try working the steps. Although I’m not perfect at working the steps since life, work, etc. get in the way, I worked Step 4 a little at Valley Hope and it is a work in progress. If I can do it, so can you- it’s life changing and a lifelong process with new joys.
Those are traits with a double-edged sword that can lend themselves to a disposition to substance abuse, but they’ve also allowed me to lead an exciting, adventurous life. They also make me a great entrepreneur, business owner, and leader in general. I’d also never give up the personal growth I’ve experienced in the last year. I get asked this all the time on Instagram – “Do you wish you could drink like a normal person? That’s why my biggest piece of advice to anyone who wants to stop drinking is to seek out therapy and/or a 12-step program. This is where you will start the healing and forgiveness process.
Inspirational Substance Abuse and Addiction Recovery Stories
You feel comfortable in your own skin again. That life can actually be more fun sober than not sober. Over half my life I’ve been getting either high or drunk, or both. sober house I never knew how happy I could be and how much more productive I could be. Sam R got himself into big trouble nearly at the expense of an innocent person’s life.
- I am coming out to family members and really re-creating myself in the fullest extent possible.
- I included the words acceptance, faith, healing, joy, my sobriety date, and most importantly, God.
- As I walked up in front of my fellow alumni, all my fears about being myself lifted.
- When I got back to NYC, I found a therapist – who I still work with to this day – and weighed my options of inpatient rehab, outpatient therapy, or doing it at home with her support.
My wife had just delivered our fourth child, and I was distant from my whole family. I rarely participated in the children’s activities. My wife, who I believe was also unhappy, frequently left the young children with me for me to supervise while she went shopping or got together with her neighborhood friends. That gave me the opportunity to easily drink at home without needing to hide.
Teri aka @Sassysobermum shares her inspirational story of giving up alcohol on April 29, 2019.
The Puente House has made a positive difference in the lives of our residents and their families. Here’s what our residents had to say… This is an unavoidable part of getting sober, but also a really important part in order to create lasting change. But the beautiful thing about this is that once I was done grieving, I had an opportunity to reinvent myself. I could now make a decision to be exactly who I’ve always wanted to be, but couldn’t because of alcohol.
