Submitted by Lokkuri t3_10xbins in GetMotivated
First step have been taken today, im both at ease and terrified, for i know the road ahead will be long and difficult.
Submitted by Lokkuri t3_10xbins in GetMotivated
First step have been taken today, im both at ease and terrified, for i know the road ahead will be long and difficult.
Can you explain further?
I’ll try though I’m battling my own addictions. Drug/ alcohol use typically start as attempts to make you feel good. Takes your mind off stuff, makes you feel better, helps forget life’s stressors. Do it enough and you start to only feel good when using/ consuming. Then you feel miserable without it. So you keep doing it more often and your body, your mental sharpness, your health, your relationships all start to deteriorate. So you use more and more to distract you from those issues as well. Short periods of sobriety only give you an excuse to “celebrate” and your using again.
Then, god willing, a moment of awareness takes hold and a conviction to stop using becomes a goal. If you survive the “withdrawal” and continue on the path of sobriety long enough, you start to rebound. For example, I’m a functioning alcoholic so though I always took care of my kids, sobriety gave me stamina to cook better food, read to them regularly, have more patience, and not be exhausted regularly. I’m just a better parent now. The happiness I chased through excessive use was achieved through sobriety.
I needed this.
That last sentence. That's it right there.
Thank you for sharing that! What a perfect way to describe what alcohol does to you.
Well said. Sobriety creates room for so much growth.
I’m proud of you. But never, ever, trust that asshole in the mirror.
Loved this brother.
Thank you for some beautiful words.
Cheers.
Your reply was spot on. Good luck, wishing you the best
Very well put!!!
I havent had a sip since Sept! Was functional & all obligations met, but I found myself not wanting to go to restaurants that didnt serve wine/beer. Now im into different teas, coffees, & im glad I'm not hindered by that anymore. I kicked cigs 16 years ago & that was so effing hard. Everytime I kick a bad habit it's like a heavy chain is taken away. & i'm just a bit lighter. Still can function w the chains, just functioning a LOT better as they fall away one by one. Next chain is prob going to be my partner.
Drugs are bad mkay…. You like drugs more than you value success in life… mkayyyy?
That last sentence is a bar.
Sobriety can deliver noone only Jesus Christ can deliver honey
Shit like this is why religious people get a bad rep.
You are a different kind of special…
I wish both you and I success. Day 4 for me today and I’m doing okay 👍
Well done! Keep it up!! 👏👏👏👏👏
Don't just wish - fight for yourself! You are definitely worth it!
Great job!
Ain't God good
Thanks all for the support
You can do it, I believe in you!!! I drank for 28 years and never thought I could stop, but I'm working on my 4th year.
Same here! Year 2 1/2 :)
Excellent work, friend! You for this!!!
10 years sober. It gets easier and easier and better and better. You can do this
I’ve been in recovery for 15 years and I go to the jails trying to help and the number one thing about getting and staying sober, is you can’t do it alone. Find some help. AA would be my first step.
I didn't go to no aa meetings I went to someone that I know can deliver me from all things and I had the willing mind his name is Jesus I went to alot of aa meetings and I started back drinking every time but when I found Jesus it was over with those aa ppl can't keep noone clean and sober they can't keep there self clean and sober but Jesus Christ can
If Jesus can deliver you sobriety maybe he can deliver you grammar, punctuation, and spelling too
lol
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Sanctification through Christ! As I've gotten closer to God, my desire to drink has all but disappeared. Never knew what sanctification through Christ even meant, but when I lost the urge to drink it made sense. I was always agnostic until I was dying & prayed as a last-ditch effort. Whatever works for you, man!
I’ll be 3 years off opiates and stimulants this year. It’s hard and not every day is fun and rainbows but it’s so much better than living like I was.
You deserve this.
You deserve to be happy and healthy.
Congrats! You are awesome!
Day 1350 here. You can do it. Take it a day, an hour, a minute at a time. 👍
You can do this 🤞
18 months sober man, it starts with the decision. Keep fighting the good fight and don’t be too afraid to ask for help!
Congratulations. I'm just over 2 years dry. It's hard as fuck, but do not be afraid to seek help. If it's alcoholism I highly advise you go into the hospital for medical care, Alcohol withdrawal CAN kill you. The hospital saved my life.
As can benzo withdrawals…
I'm fell in love with myself on 2 14 2020 I didn't go to alochlish meetings or nothing like that I went to Jesus and he delivery that's my higher power if Jesus can't do it it won't be done I just tell the Lord Thank You
u go legend
r/stopdrinking
Yes, come join us on r/stopdrinking! Quite the lovely and supportive community
Congrats, my fellow human. One day at a time, and one foot in front of the other. You got this.
Asking for help is one of the greatest acts you can do for yourself. Congrats and good luck!
Dude I feel ya on this one! First day no drugs whatsoever. Boring as fuck but feels good in a natural kind of way 👍 KEEP ON KEEPING ON!!!
Please be careful you can die from alcohol withdrawal I’m sober a bit over 11 years now. I was a blackout drunk. I had to learn to look after my body and take responsibility for my actions. I had 21 hospital admissions from alcoholism. It’s evil stuff. Now I just toke weed a little it’s Doctor prescribed legal weed
Struggling to get over the boredom and lack of motivation of sobriety
Ever been fishing sober?
No
Well for me it is a great way to enjoy life and entertain myself I live right next to a large lake, have a nice fishing boat, retired ,sober for 11 yrs, and would enjoy the company of other fellow members for relaxing day on the lake
You got this.
Best wishes on your new journey. Thanks for sharing and for encouraging all of us to follow your steps. 💪🙏🙏🙏🙏☝️
I’m proud of you. First step is usually the hardest. The long road to recovery is one well worth traveling on
There's always a first day for lot's of things. It also happens to be my first day back to therapy. Looks like we both chose alike!
This one is for us!
Every journey begins with a single step. You are on your way.
34 days for me. You got this. one I’ve realized is you have more support than you think and do it for yourself and only yourself.
Day 15 here, group is really helping and I'm feeling a ton better about life. Keep going forward.
Hell yea!! Keep up the good work. I'm on day 35 and going to meetings and changing playgrounds will help you keep it pushing strong!!! And remember it's your sobriety no one else's stay focused on yourself
We can't do anything with out Jesus and with out Jesus we are nothing I don't owe them aa ppl nothing I give all the glory to God
Every journey starts with a single step!
This random redditor is proud of you and cheering for you on the rest of your journey
Getting to that place where, "this sucks" plus, "I need help," and doing the reaching out and committing to doing some other guy’s idead—that’s the hard part. The rest is just follow through. You have a bunch of folks who really want you to succeed. Grab onto somebody living the life they want, do what they suggest, if only for a bit. My sponsor has offered to refund my misery if I’d like. AA has worked for a lot of us.
It didn't work for me but Jesus Christ did
You’re awesome. You see that the road you were on was a dead end. So many people do not. Be proud and grateful that you are wise enough and love yourself enough to seek something greater.
200ish days sober here after many false starts and failed attempts. Here’s what’s working for me (may or may not work for anyone else):
My philosophy is to build a life that I don’t want to risk losing by doing drugs. That’s my big picture approach.
The other side is knowing that I also have a chronic neurological/biochemical problem that has to be treated with meds, and therapy.
Final piece of the puzzle—I’m a spiritual being that needs to be connected to a larger whole. I get this through my job in healthcare, loving and honest relationships with friends and family, and by reveling in the beauty, awesomeness, and mystery of the universe.
Godspeed, fellow traveler.
Edit* forgot to mention. When you screw up (and you’re gonna), get right back on that horse and hold your head high.
I just hit 300 days. The key to this time being so successful was that 300 days ago I not only admitted my problem, but I asked for help. It’s very hard to do it on your own. A support network is key. You’ll have bad days and you’ll have good days. Just be open and communicate and after awhile, every day will get a little easier, or at least it has for me.
Keep going brother. May you have success with your health.
Another sober buddy here! You will thank yourself for this later down the line. The NA/AA programs can be a great start for most people. There are also agnostic steps and recovery programs for all flavors. You’re not alone and never will be! Find what works for you and stick to it. Digging yourself out of the hole addiction puts you in can be challenging but SO worth it
Here to say I’m proud of you! 👏🏻🙏🏻
Join us in r/alcoholicsanonymous if you want some guidance or advice. Seriously met the most kind and supportive humans in AA.
Joined, Thanks for your kind words.
Happy to help. Feel free to message me if you want to talk. ☺️
My nextdoor neighbour just found out he has cancer both lungs and his brain at 69 ! Also suddenly diabetic 2 .
He found his girlfriend dead on the lounge floor so he's been a grieving dry drunk for about about 5 years now but his whole life went the booze went . I am amazed he hasn't reached for the bottle , as he's terminal, like another neighbour(67) who got a bottle of wild turkey and hung himself 1 year after giving up the grog .
Both drunk very heavily for too long , did a lot of damage, and couldn't find an alternative lifestyle as they didnt have any firm experienced SUPPORT !!!!! I know of others also - a hidden stat and a joint is illegal .
So you need all the determination and bloody support you can manage to scrape up .Pour the shit down the sink or you go down it . NOW ! No ........ around . You can survive this .
LSD has been shown to help cure alcoholism. It has a really high success rate. I recommend looking into it
Yes, Ive been reading a lot on microdosing, both LSD and certain Mushrooms, but at the moment i need to be 100% clean from any substance until i can rework myself
I’m also freshly sober, it’s wild not having my usual crutch to fall back on. Take it day by day mate, you’ll get through it.
Long road ahead brother make sure you grab a beer for that drive
Check in with us on day 4 and tell us how you feel.
Proud of you
🦅You can do it. I’m glad you asked for help.
I’m behind you 100%!!! Just focus on today.
You've got this!
Wow. You should be proud of asking for help. Little steps, take back control over your life. 18 months here
Wow. You should be proud of asking for help. Little steps, take back control over your life. 18 months here
It's amazing how much better you will sleep, feel, and look. If you are comfortable with it, I suggest taking a photo of yourself today. Then take a photo of yourself in a month, 6 months, and a year. You will be amazed at what alcohol does to your body. If you ever feel you want a drink, just look back at the photos. And remember that you did that. You will be proud, and you should be proud today.
Proud of you, stranger!
Congrats ! One minute one hour one day one week one month one yr. Stage two. Two minutes two hours two weeks two mnths 2yrs and repeat it's good for you. The money you save an spend other places and the old friends you find and have,just the respect you get an have in vary short time is a ego booster to no end.
Mornings are gonna be way better, right off the bat
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Just know, everyday you stay to your plan, you are more of a badass than anyone out there.
Keep being a badass.
Proud of you. Greatest journey you'll ever take!
2.5 years sober feels unreal when you do actually get out of it , can’t even picture doing drugs now , gross
I’m proud of you :)
Congratulations, you walking miracle, you!! By the grace of my God, I have made it just over 5 years clean and sober. I'm not going to lie to you, it isn't always going to be easy, but it is SOOOOOOO worth it. There is no shame in reaching out to others for help. I'm sure others have already told you, but if not - I am super SUPER proud of you & I love you! Keep fighting for yourself 🙂
Yes it was God's Grace that's who keeping me
You got this. Speaking it out loud makes all the difference, you’re accountable now… to us as well as to yourself. Take it minute by minute when you need to, but never lose sight of the goal. It will get easier and your life will change in ways you can’t even imagine right now. You got this.
Congrats!!!
Congratulations stay strong
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Proud of you!❤️
Keep it up everyone! It’s a long road but the hardest part is getting started on your recovery. Heard a quote “you can face the pain of determination or the pain regret” you got this!
The best advice I ever got on my first day sober was Don't take a. Drink and stick with the winners
Success, my friend!
Get comfortable with being uncomfortable and living into being human. Proud of you! 🙌you’ve got this. If you think you can you’re right, if you think you can’t, you’re also right.
Yay!!! I’m so proud of you for choosing yourself. 💜
I wish I was at where you’re at. Stay strong buddy
It's the very best thing that has happened to me. At 500 days and it's a miracle after 40 years of drinking. You've got this. Going to meetings is valuable. So happy for your bright future.
Always support those who recognize and seek help. Good job dude. You got this.
If you were having problems in your life because of addiction, sobriety is actually the easier course to be on. I don’t mean that to sound unsympathetic or simplistic. Good luck.
Possibly he means that the void you try and fill with drugs can be filled with positivity and actual genuine spiritual experiences (human experience) rather that substances sobriety/being clean allow you a way to fill that void in a healthy way
My advice from some one that is 6 years clean and been there done that with addiction is to go to a detox then possibly half way house for a while , go to meetings and work steps and get a solid foundation of recovery under your belt. Secondly don’t worry about “the long road ahead” worry about staying your ass clean till you go to sleep each day one day at a time
Don’t be afraid. The change you’ve made is positive. The things that drove you to drink were always there, but now you’ll have a chance to address them head on with your full faculties. Take it a step at a time though, healing takes time, don’t be afraid to take it slow, don’t let anyone else force you to any pace.
Might seem like a long road but the further you get down, the more simple and stress free your life will be. Im at 5 1/2 years sober after years of pill addictions.
I made the same decision June 24th 2013. It was hard at first and the cliche “just for today and one day at a time” really means a lot when I look back at it. I had to start over November 21st 2018 and do it one day at a time. Luckily it was a quick short relapse but I was right back where I was before doing it one day at a time and now four years have gone by. I don’t do 12 step meetings much these days but I highly recommend at least checking it out. For me, I don’t think I could have done it in the beginning without it.
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You got this!
You are awesome! If you haven't, I hope you also get a medical and psychological screening. Get admitted to a hospital or other facility if necessary. You're not only getting sober, you are getting physically and mentally healthier! You'd be amazed at how many people will help if you ask.
And if you relapse, try again. Please don't ever give up on yourself.
Congratulations you are very brave and I am proud of you
Some people will have multiple first days. The trick is to get back at it. It’s okay if we slip up ever once in awhile. Don’t let that setback deter you. “To err is human.”
Find someone you can talk to about it, ideally someone else who has gotten sober. Talk to them regularly. Then find other people who are working to stay sober, and talk to them. Ask them what they did to get sober, and do it. Addiction turns us into isolated liars, and the antidote is to regularly connecting with others and telling them your truth. You will not be judged.
Be open to saying yes to anything that will help. It may feel uncomfortable at first, but think of the great lengths you would go to to get your fix and commit to put that same level of effort toward sobriety.
You’re not alone, and you’ll be amazed at how much better your life becomes.
Google the 9th step promises. Read them, they are true.
You can do it! 🎉Just takes one day at a time.
And tomorrow you will look back on today. And do it, just for one day only. Proud of you. Keep going. You can fo it.
Keep it up it gets easier day by day … 55 days today myself
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Good on ya!!! YOU made the choice to love yourself a bit more...
It will be somewhat difficult, but not really that long. Once you accept your new reality, then it's just maintaining,
The hardest part is not accepting the excuses you will tell yourself to try and justify taking "just one," drink. So long as you don't accept the excuses, you will be triumphant.
SO proud of you taking that first step. It's the hardest one, because you are taking responsibility for your choices. YAY YOU!!!
Well done and hang in there 🤙
Thank you all so much for the kind words, im going through withdrawal now obviously feel like crap, but reading each comment makes it easier...Internet can be a beautiful thing.
Proud of you. Good luck man
I think the Keto diet may be very helpful in reducing/eliminating cravings for the addictive substance. This is just my speculation. I began to suspect that sugar was an addictive substance after years of trying to lose weight by restricting calories. The cravings I had were intense. Keto stopped my cravings, which solidified my belief that sugar is addictive. Alcohol is converted to glucose (sugar) in the liver. Could sugar addiction be a part of alcohol addiction? If it is, Keto should be helpful. I don't know about other addictive substances, but I think it is worth a try. My brain fog is gone, my depression is lifted, and I have more energy and motivation to get daily tasks accomplished. Keto may help people in recovery with those symptoms. Again, it's just speculation on my part, but I think it's worth trying.
That’s great! One day at a time. I’m a friend of Bill’s almost 17 years. ❤️ you got this! You’re not unique and you don’t have to be alone. Just be sober til you go to sleep then wake up and do it all over.
Good for you bro, keep going
I am on day 4 today after excessive use of weed over the past decade.
Make sure to get some sunlight & do some exercise. Read books as well.
And do not think that the road ahead will be long/difficult, try to change your mindset.
Always stay positive & kind. Be grateful.
50 days in. Every day I tell myself that I just have to get through the day. You’re stronger than you know. You can do this
You got this!!!
Think about how good you feel with one day and imagine how you you’ll feel in a week! Keep it up, so proud of you!
I don’t believe you, you’re making a reddit post
I didnt believe me either, but now its almost 2 days, last week i was drunk for 6 days constantly
Find a group, there are many. You won't like them all. That is OK. But find one. Come all the way in and sit all the way down. You will most likely feel uncomfortable in doing so. Do it anyway.
You have done the hardest part already.
Yes, im going to AA and NA
You can do it. One day at a time.
I’ve been there twice. It’s better on this side. Please work the program, hang with people who know their stuff (you’ll figure out the people who aren’t taking it seriously over time) and do what is necessary to stay sober. And if nobody else has said it, “I love you and am proud of you for this giant first step!”
The first step is the hardest and most important man. Great job. As addicts we all are trying to fill some void inside that we’ll never fill with substances. You gotta fill it with something greater. Good job being brave and asking for help- you don’t have to go it alone- failed many times because I was too stubborn to ask. But the help will be given if you ask the right way
You made the right choice!
Good luck! You can do it.
The road is tough at first but it gets WAY easier!
You’ve taken the biggest steps so far … the decision to stop and to ask for help. You’re doing amazing.
3 decades sober. Get to a meeting and say what you said online. That's where the experts are who can help. I'm old school (and old) but would suggest finding a sponsor to work with. Beware of social media. It's not always positive anonymity.
Yes, im going to AA and NA
Keep it in the day my friend and good luck.
I’m 10 and a half years sober and the best advice I can give is take everyday one day at a time. Hell, sometimes it’s taking the day one minute at a time. You’ve got this, keep being honest with yourself, and find a good support group. This stranger is proud of you! The first step is the hardest.
I’m on day 5, finally feel like I can do this
Day 62 of sobriety
Congratulations! I’ve been off opiates since October 22 2022. It hasn’t been easy but I have an amazing support system. I’m so glad I got clean. My life before was the same but being a junkie really made me see it completely differently. I’m proud of you and just know you can do if!
You never have to feel this way again. Do today. Worry about tomorrow when it comes. Make your decision to stay sober every morning. It has been a while for me and I still make that call every morning. I have a lot more tools now but I have to make sure I use them.
I don’t wish luck because luck doesn’t get or keep you sober. I wish for your determination to wake up everyday and work for your sobriety.
I am on day 35. I believe in you.
I’m proud of you, OP. That took a lot of guts.
Get after it! You can do it.
As someone who loves someone with an alcohol, pills and meth addiction, drug and alcohol addiction is brutal. My sister has been in and out of treatment and is 55 years old. I've seen her at her best, clean and sober, happy, productive and content and I've seen her as she is right now, spiraling out of control, homeless, angry and scared to death of withdrawals. I would not wish it on my worst enemy. Please be your own best friend and take good care of yourself and don't let anyone get in the way of your sobriety..
I’m SO proud of you! Please take of yourself and remember that there is hope, light and love all around you!
So proud of you!! That’s absolutely amazing!!!!
Congratulations 👏👏👏 and I hope you continue on your positive journey
It will be miraculous and hard, and at times you will have a pink cloud. Congratulations, I am a friend of Bill W. myself for two decades, it changed a life that would have been ended years ago.
Enjoy your new life. It's great on this side!!!
You got this bro!!!!!!
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Congrats, you got this!
Congrats. The work is worth it.
I was drinking 3 handles of vodka a week for most of my 30's...I'll be 9 years with no booze this April. It keeps getting better and better. You can do it - don't look back!
All is needed is that determination and resilience.
I wish you and everyone else success! I’ll have 5 years in August. It gets easier every day. For me the hardest was obviously the first few days, then about 3 months in you’re feeling confident that you could use just once and go back to sobriety like nothing happened. But don’t listen to that bullshit thought ! You got it bro, life is so much better sober.
Being sober sucks
Being drunk sucks even more.
True you feel like shit
GeezusManForReal t1_j7rgtn9 wrote
I'm on day 231 today. I used to be a junkie. Sobriety will deliver you everything that the drugs/alcohol promised.