My dad is one of these writers....and I can truthfully say to all of you who have had the courage to be sober, you have given the people who love you the biggest gift. I am so proud and so happy to have my dad present and alive with us. I cannot always imagine what hard work it must have taken, some days being harder than others, but in the long run I'm sure each of you are picking the fruits in different areas of you life. Thanks is all I want to say. Thanks for choosing life. Thanks for choosing you. Thanks for letting us love you a little longer.
I love all of these vulnerable, thoughtful responses. I see myself in all of them. I thought I’d miss the confidence alcohol gave me. It turns out it was the opposite - I finally found my voice. I was a shell of a human before, hiding behind the booze, quaking with fear. I’m no longer afraid. Sober confidence is real.
I thought I would miss fitting in.. I don't. I have community now and they are sober people, even if we don't hang out together outside of volunteering. I'm learning it's actually not weird that I am a sober ally, or that I stopped drinking without alcoholism. Instead, when I tell people I teetotal to support my friends, they respect me a whole lot.
I am so thankful for this platform. I had two years and four months sober. Then I threw it away and decided to “moderate.” That was over three years ago. My “moderation” was daily. When I was sober, I utilized the AA model to assist me with staying sober. I honestly am not a fan of AA and am so glad that this app exists. I’m on day one, again. I am consuming all of these posts for massive encouragement and reinforcement to get back on the wagon. I guess all I am saying here is a big THANK YOU to the creator and this community. Sobriety should be free to all of us and there are so many other apps that cost money. Thank you all for making this accessible to me and everyone who truly needs it!!!
Sending an abundance of care and support your way, Debbie. Deep recognition for your courage and the choices you’re making - one next healing step at a time. I’m so glad you’re here, and I’m cheering you on. ❤️
I thought I’d miss the “classiness” of a martini and loving some version of a Mad Men/Stanley Tucci dream, of being one of the “normal” guys. Turns out, sobriety is making me more me, and I couldn’t have even imagined that when I was still drinking. Such a great prompt and great responses here.
I can think of 3 things that I didn’t, don’t & never will miss about drinking , especially as I close in on my 11 year anniversary of sobriety. They are:
1) - The ear & head splitting hangovers (😵💫😵)
2) - The “chats with Jesus” through the porcelain phone as I “refund” the night’s takings (🤮🤮)
3) - The always scary “dude… Guess what YOU did last night?” phone calls the next day (😳😱)
I terribly miss the argumentative, slower, sloppier and pathetic drinking me. And thinking I won every argument even when I didn't know shit about the topic. NOT.
I do actually miss the taste of great wine. And the craft and passion of those who make it. But it was time to leave it behind.
I thought drink gave me courage to tolerate hard situations, I thought it gave me patience, I thought it calmed my nerves down so I could deal with life's difficulties, turns out I don't need it and can do it by myself raw it just got in the way of my true self, sober I have learned what I can do so don't miss the myth of it "taking the edge off " at all.
My dad is one of these writers....and I can truthfully say to all of you who have had the courage to be sober, you have given the people who love you the biggest gift. I am so proud and so happy to have my dad present and alive with us. I cannot always imagine what hard work it must have taken, some days being harder than others, but in the long run I'm sure each of you are picking the fruits in different areas of you life. Thanks is all I want to say. Thanks for choosing life. Thanks for choosing you. Thanks for letting us love you a little longer.
So beautiful Salome 🙏❤️
❤️
I love all of these vulnerable, thoughtful responses. I see myself in all of them. I thought I’d miss the confidence alcohol gave me. It turns out it was the opposite - I finally found my voice. I was a shell of a human before, hiding behind the booze, quaking with fear. I’m no longer afraid. Sober confidence is real.
Yes! Beautiful, Kim. Thank you for sharing.
I thought I would miss fitting in.. I don't. I have community now and they are sober people, even if we don't hang out together outside of volunteering. I'm learning it's actually not weird that I am a sober ally, or that I stopped drinking without alcoholism. Instead, when I tell people I teetotal to support my friends, they respect me a whole lot.
What an amazing list by some awesome people!
Thanks for contributing!
I am so thankful for this platform. I had two years and four months sober. Then I threw it away and decided to “moderate.” That was over three years ago. My “moderation” was daily. When I was sober, I utilized the AA model to assist me with staying sober. I honestly am not a fan of AA and am so glad that this app exists. I’m on day one, again. I am consuming all of these posts for massive encouragement and reinforcement to get back on the wagon. I guess all I am saying here is a big THANK YOU to the creator and this community. Sobriety should be free to all of us and there are so many other apps that cost money. Thank you all for making this accessible to me and everyone who truly needs it!!!
Sending an abundance of care and support your way, Debbie. Deep recognition for your courage and the choices you’re making - one next healing step at a time. I’m so glad you’re here, and I’m cheering you on. ❤️
Thank you so much, Dana!
Thanks, Dana! I really appreciate that you value my words and thoughts.! -Alle
Thanks for being here and sharing, Alle!
I thought I’d miss the “classiness” of a martini and loving some version of a Mad Men/Stanley Tucci dream, of being one of the “normal” guys. Turns out, sobriety is making me more me, and I couldn’t have even imagined that when I was still drinking. Such a great prompt and great responses here.
More you! Love that, Josh. Thanks for sharing and being here.
Thanks for sharing our stories Dana - as always you are such a thoughtful steward. 🫶
Thanks for being here and for your kind words, Liz. Big hearts to you! 🫶
I can think of 3 things that I didn’t, don’t & never will miss about drinking , especially as I close in on my 11 year anniversary of sobriety. They are:
1) - The ear & head splitting hangovers (😵💫😵)
2) - The “chats with Jesus” through the porcelain phone as I “refund” the night’s takings (🤮🤮)
3) - The always scary “dude… Guess what YOU did last night?” phone calls the next day (😳😱)
Love those, Gerard!
I terribly miss the argumentative, slower, sloppier and pathetic drinking me. And thinking I won every argument even when I didn't know shit about the topic. NOT.
I do actually miss the taste of great wine. And the craft and passion of those who make it. But it was time to leave it behind.
Thanks so much for being here and sharing, John.
I thought drink gave me courage to tolerate hard situations, I thought it gave me patience, I thought it calmed my nerves down so I could deal with life's difficulties, turns out I don't need it and can do it by myself raw it just got in the way of my true self, sober I have learned what I can do so don't miss the myth of it "taking the edge off " at all.
Love that, Liz. Thank you for sharing!
Thank you for sharing my response! just became a subscriber to your substack 💗
Thanks so much for sharing and subscribing! 💗
Thanks so much for sharing, everyone! xo