7 yeArs
It’s been 7 years since I pretty much hit the reset button on my life and at the same time I stopped drinking alcohol. A culmination of overwhelming emotions and scenarios led me to drastically change everything.
From the outside looking in- it appeared as if my life was perfect up until that moment. I had all the items on the list for the American Dream. Marriage, Successful Business, Nice House, Dog, Hot Tub, Boats and a close group of Friends.
I had also been drinking heavily, daily and as we are surrounded by a society that enables this behavior it seemed I was a very functional Alcoholic. I stopped drinking for a Month in January one year but I couldn’t stay sober in the life I was living. Alcohol was a crutch and a coping mechanism and I was no good at moderation. (Let’s just say I had a very high tolerance and as a drinker with the sailing addiction it fit like a glove.)
Looking back now it’s crazy to consider the sequence of events that led me to the point where I chose to change my life and I can hardly believe it’s been 7 years. I know I am much healthier without the alcohol factor but I am still me. Honestly I thought that by hitting that reset button that all my dreams would come true however I just jumped into a different version of reality. A life with different hard lessons to learn.
7 years later I have a successful business, a boat, a husband and a close group of friends again ( I have yet to regain a dog, house and hot tub). However I know those are mostly just material things. My coping mechanisms may be healthier but I still have to find ways to deal with the circumstances of my life. It’s challenging to be human. And I don’t talk about sobriety much because it’s an uncomfortable topic for most of us.
I don’t judge anyone who is or isn’t good at moderation. We all have to make the choices that work for us and I am no better or worse for choosing not to drink. If anything I understand completely the love of alcohol and how it can make life temporarily feel more bearable. I have to admit the main reason I have probably stayed sober is because my husband is sober too. It would be tricky to be in a committed relationship where one partner does and the other doesn’t drink. (Kudos to anyone who can or does this- you are stronger than me!)
I am grateful for the circumstances that help me to stay sober. I am also grateful for the health factors from abstaining- I no longer struggle with weight gain, I don’t have hangovers and not only that I’ve saved a ton of money- alcohol is expensive!
It’s scary to share all this but I think it’s important. Some people joke about the 7 year itch in marriage. Is there such a thing with sobriety? Lol.
