I was just thinking this morning how many ways my life has changed since getting sober. I was interested to hear about others too. Sober from anything. Not just alcohol.
1. I no longer wake up from a booze soaked night and wonder what the hell I did the night before.
2. I no longer wake up and hope I have at least 2 or 3 drinks left to get me moving and stop the sickness.
3. I no longer have to not answer the phone on Sunday mornings for fear of someone returning a drunk dial from the night before.
4. I no longer have to try and decipher the sticky notes from the night before. (I used to write things down because I never remembered anything from the night before).
5. I no longer have to factor in "Booze" money into my budget.
6. I no longer shake, get a headache or vomit when I don't have alcohol.
7. I no longer throw up blood.
8. I no longer get stomach pains from acute pancreatitus. (I've been hospitalized several times for pancreatitus).
9. I am no longer on medication for my pancreas enzymes.
10. I no longer stare at a bottle of antabuse...thinking I will use that as a last resort. In fact I threw it away! Awesome!
I hope everyone is having a great Saturday. Or if you're in Australia or NZ a great Sunday. I am counting my blessings that I no longer have to let the above things rule my daily life!
My last drink was 9/5/05. It feels great!!!!! Thank you to everyone on this board that has helped me stay sober.
How has my life changed? Well first of all its only been 5 weeks, but I do notice that my mouth doesn't taste like stale beer all the time. I dont have to think about how drunk I am when I answer my phone, I now eat breakfast because I'm hungry, not to help get rid of a hangover. There was more money left over at the end of the month.
There were a few down sides to not drinking, I started feeling tired all the time, getting head aches and having trouble sleeping. It was/is uncomfortable to have tell friends and aquaintances that I have stopped drinking. It has felt unfamiliar to be sober all the time. These will ease with time I'm sure.
But most of all I feel happy (most of the time) to be free of the bondage of having to drink every night.
One day at a time Cookster
Ps. I got registered today, quite an accomplishment for a technoklutz like me!
There were a few down sides to not drinking, I started feeling tired all the time, getting head aches and having trouble sleeping. It was/is uncomfortable to have tell friends and aquaintances that I have stopped drinking. It has felt unfamiliar to be sober all the time. These will ease with time I'm sure.
But most of all I feel happy (most of the time) to be free of the bondage of having to drink every night.
One day at a time Cookster
Ps. I got registered today, quite an accomplishment for a technoklutz like me!
Another way my life has changed is financially. We are going on a trip in May with a bunch of friends and we are able to upgrade the entire trip from the flight to the accomodations to first class.
The money that I have saved by not drinking really adds up. Even if I round down I was spending at least $30 to $40 a day on alcohol. More if I got drunk in a bar. We all know how expensive cocktails are in a bar. After a year and a half that money can now be put to good use!
It is great to be back in the land of the living and loving life again!
I hope you are all having a great peaceful sober day.
The money that I have saved by not drinking really adds up. Even if I round down I was spending at least $30 to $40 a day on alcohol. More if I got drunk in a bar. We all know how expensive cocktails are in a bar. After a year and a half that money can now be put to good use!
It is great to be back in the land of the living and loving life again!
I hope you are all having a great peaceful sober day.
Val,
Thanks for starting this thread, I've got a lot to be grateful for but needed to see it up close and personal. Have a wonderful Sunday.
Geri
How my life has changed with sobriety:
I have God in my life today...........
I am no longer the selfish and unloving person I was before....
I have my daughters back in my life full-time (is that a good thing ~ lol!)...
I too am more financially stable...and make better financial decisions, like not buying the drink and drugs.........
I am physically, mentally and spiritually healthier...
I no longer come to out of blackouts, for instance, I remembered that I went to an Aerosmith concert when I was at the end of my drinking and left the guy I went with and came to in the parking lot talking to some guys in a low-rider car........oh my God!!!!!!!!!!!
I put in an honest days work.....
I suit up and show up when I say I am going to be somewhere.....
I have dated a great guy for almost three years.....who is clean too.....a little over four years.....
I no longer drink and drive.....
I no longer drunk dial..........
I am happier than I've ever been despite the ups and downs of life.........
I am able to pass the gift of sobriety forward.........
Hey, I've learned to cook pretty well too........
All in all my life is better all the way around, I still struggle with the control issue, but believe I am getting better and learning to let go more...but that's a huge character defect for me ~ control ~...........Geri
Thanks for starting this thread, I've got a lot to be grateful for but needed to see it up close and personal. Have a wonderful Sunday.
Geri
How my life has changed with sobriety:
I have God in my life today...........
I am no longer the selfish and unloving person I was before....
I have my daughters back in my life full-time (is that a good thing ~ lol!)...
I too am more financially stable...and make better financial decisions, like not buying the drink and drugs.........
I am physically, mentally and spiritually healthier...
I no longer come to out of blackouts, for instance, I remembered that I went to an Aerosmith concert when I was at the end of my drinking and left the guy I went with and came to in the parking lot talking to some guys in a low-rider car........oh my God!!!!!!!!!!!
I put in an honest days work.....
I suit up and show up when I say I am going to be somewhere.....
I have dated a great guy for almost three years.....who is clean too.....a little over four years.....
I no longer drink and drive.....
I no longer drunk dial..........
I am happier than I've ever been despite the ups and downs of life.........
I am able to pass the gift of sobriety forward.........
Hey, I've learned to cook pretty well too........
All in all my life is better all the way around, I still struggle with the control issue, but believe I am getting better and learning to let go more...but that's a huge character defect for me ~ control ~...........Geri
Hi VW...I am glad that you understood the thread. At first it seems like another grateful thread but to me it was different. I hope others see it that way too. Of course I am grateful for all of the things I listed but I too needed it written down to actually see it.
Glad that K is back with you and she is doing better. You have a great sunday too!
Glad that K is back with you and she is doing better. You have a great sunday too!
Valerie how has my life changed?
It went from total insanity to a life of acceptance for me I recite the serenity prayer. I live one day at a time and with the acceptance of life on life's terms I manage to have a lot of good days.
Life has changed for me Valerie in all my relationships. Kids My EX my parents friends and today I find myself "READY to commit to another person. For me to be ready to start a relationship thinking where i was a year Ago? Its amazing.
Val just how I am handling my Health? I see my doctors and follow there instructions. No more doing things Jeffrey's way. By not being my own doctor I am much better off mentally and physically.
For me that's a major change-and VERY IMPORTANT.
Take care--Jeff
It went from total insanity to a life of acceptance for me I recite the serenity prayer. I live one day at a time and with the acceptance of life on life's terms I manage to have a lot of good days.
Life has changed for me Valerie in all my relationships. Kids My EX my parents friends and today I find myself "READY to commit to another person. For me to be ready to start a relationship thinking where i was a year Ago? Its amazing.
Val just how I am handling my Health? I see my doctors and follow there instructions. No more doing things Jeffrey's way. By not being my own doctor I am much better off mentally and physically.
For me that's a major change-and VERY IMPORTANT.
Take care--Jeff
Mmm....interesting one. I shall off the top of my head say how my life has changed.
Firstly, I have remembered the whole of the last year, which is quite amazing!
I feel much much healthier without the onslaught of drink and drugs.
I get up every morning and go to bed every night.
I eat breakfast every day.
I definatley trust myself more.
Rather than having loads of off their head mates I am very solitary.
Instead of feeling like I have to put on a jokey, wahey, what a laugh front; I can be more normal around my family.
The dog is much happier with the greater stability in her life.
I take better care of myself; showering, washing my hair, changing my clothes.
My working life is alot more consistent and rewarding. I have more responsibility and can earn more.
I am alot less delusional and more realistic.
I have more self respect.
I am less intense and self righteous, with an ability to allow others their own views and ideas.
I can cope with life alot better.
And I know for sure that I don't have all the answers!!
Firstly, I have remembered the whole of the last year, which is quite amazing!
I feel much much healthier without the onslaught of drink and drugs.
I get up every morning and go to bed every night.
I eat breakfast every day.
I definatley trust myself more.
Rather than having loads of off their head mates I am very solitary.
Instead of feeling like I have to put on a jokey, wahey, what a laugh front; I can be more normal around my family.
The dog is much happier with the greater stability in her life.
I take better care of myself; showering, washing my hair, changing my clothes.
My working life is alot more consistent and rewarding. I have more responsibility and can earn more.
I am alot less delusional and more realistic.
I have more self respect.
I am less intense and self righteous, with an ability to allow others their own views and ideas.
I can cope with life alot better.
And I know for sure that I don't have all the answers!!
Great thread vally!!
Here's some of the changes I'm experiencing.
I have learned that rewarding myself doesn't mean getting pissed.
I am no longer always restless, irritable and discontent. In fact I have peace of mind at least some of the time, most days - amazing progress for me.
I am a lot more accountable at work. Just completing ordinary tasks in no longer the mammoth struggle that it used to be.
My life is changed in that I no long D&D, and I no longer get resentful about things cutting into my "drinking time."
My health has stabilised a lot - I no longer get the severe leg cramps, nose bleeds, eye problems, stomach upsets and digestive complaints I had when drinking.
I have plans for the future instead of dreams and fantasies.
I am learning how to get honest with myself.
I am developing a relationship with God.
wow - why would I want to give all that up?
Here's some of the changes I'm experiencing.
I have learned that rewarding myself doesn't mean getting pissed.
I am no longer always restless, irritable and discontent. In fact I have peace of mind at least some of the time, most days - amazing progress for me.
I am a lot more accountable at work. Just completing ordinary tasks in no longer the mammoth struggle that it used to be.
My life is changed in that I no long D&D, and I no longer get resentful about things cutting into my "drinking time."
My health has stabilised a lot - I no longer get the severe leg cramps, nose bleeds, eye problems, stomach upsets and digestive complaints I had when drinking.
I have plans for the future instead of dreams and fantasies.
I am learning how to get honest with myself.
I am developing a relationship with God.
wow - why would I want to give all that up?
Another way my life has changed with sobriety is:
I can now share my experiences with others and it may actually help someone. Before I couldn't even string together more than a day or two sober.
I always thought I was sooo profound and brilliant when I was drinking. Drunk dialing and blathering on and on! lol....lol.... With continued sobriety I now realize that I was just a rambling drunk.
Peace out People! :)
I can now share my experiences with others and it may actually help someone. Before I couldn't even string together more than a day or two sober.
I always thought I was sooo profound and brilliant when I was drinking. Drunk dialing and blathering on and on! lol....lol.... With continued sobriety I now realize that I was just a rambling drunk.
Peace out People! :)
Vally
I posted this on the PP board for someone but then thought it belonged on this thread as well.
wanted to share something that I heard at a meeting recently, from a man who is long term sober and has struggled not only with alcoholism and drugs but severe mental illness.
His message is this: The AA way of life is not the old life polished up, it is an entirely new way of life.
I posted this on the PP board for someone but then thought it belonged on this thread as well.
wanted to share something that I heard at a meeting recently, from a man who is long term sober and has struggled not only with alcoholism and drugs but severe mental illness.
His message is this: The AA way of life is not the old life polished up, it is an entirely new way of life.
1. I no longer have to fear being put in jail time and time again.
2. I can look my parents and siblings in the eye and tell them the truth.
3. I have many friends that love me because I'm me, not because I have money, or good dope. I love my friends because of who they are, not because of what they can do for me.
4. My bills are getting paid with the money I have earned by working hard.
5. My family does not have to go the the jail to visit me.
6. I walk with my head held high and I am OK with who I am.
7. I am no longer afraid to feel; though I don't always like how I feel, I am able to work through it with the help of friends and family. I no longer to use to mask how I feel.
Just a few of the MANY things I look forward to in my sober life. I have been sober since March 21, 2005 and every day brings new joy and happiness.
2. I can look my parents and siblings in the eye and tell them the truth.
3. I have many friends that love me because I'm me, not because I have money, or good dope. I love my friends because of who they are, not because of what they can do for me.
4. My bills are getting paid with the money I have earned by working hard.
5. My family does not have to go the the jail to visit me.
6. I walk with my head held high and I am OK with who I am.
7. I am no longer afraid to feel; though I don't always like how I feel, I am able to work through it with the help of friends and family. I no longer to use to mask how I feel.
Just a few of the MANY things I look forward to in my sober life. I have been sober since March 21, 2005 and every day brings new joy and happiness.
I am alive
Light and love Zac
Light and love Zac
