Ive Been Sober for 5 Years Heres What Ive Learned So Far by Elyse Cizek Curious

When you learn to be honest with yourself, it’s a hell of a lot easier to be honest with others. And speaking of cannabis, I’ve had to get real honest with myself lately. It served its purpose, but lately it’s been holding me back. Being honest with yourself is a practice, and sobriety gives you the opportunity to do just that.

Lessons I’ve Learned in 5 Years of Sobriety

One guided psychedelic experience is equivalent to over ten years of therapy. When I was fifteen I went through a highly traumatic experience (you can read about this in “The Mushroom Chronicles”), so I’ve been in and out of therapy for well over twenty years. I had worked with psychologists, psychiatrists, counselors, and AA sponsors. My first psychedelic experience (Ayahuasca) felt like… well, ten years of therapy in one night.

And I have learned more about myself in the past 5 years than I did in the 25 years prior to that. Whether you’ve been to AA or not, we’ve all heard this phrase, and it couldn’t be more true. One of the best (and corniest) things I’ve ever heard at a meeting happened in Fort Fairfield, Maine over eight years ago. A man was playing with a tube of salt and sprinkled a little bit onto the table. He said, “In the beginning, when you’re just trying to get through a day, you can’t really see any salt. You know it’s there, but it isn’t exactly visible.” This time he poured more salt on the table.

• What I’ve learned is that the only thing I can control in any given situation is myself.
• While I didn’t feel shame or guilt, there are other feelings though, which feel important to try and condense into words.
• You may ask yourself, is my life truly going to improve and will I get sobriety milestones?
• My drinking was way out of hand, I’ve written plenty here about it.
• Running likewise helps me to remember what my body can do.
• If you want to do or try something but you’re too afraid… just fucking do it.

And the true gift of the whole experience has been seeing myself for who I truly am. I can handle problems and pain without alcohol. I am supremely confident in a room full of strangers, without alcohol. I can literally do anything (hello, 5 years of living) without any need for alcohol. Yet my friends remember me being a great dance partner and great company the whole evening. When you change something about your identity, so swiftly, it can come as a bit of a shock, which is perhaps what I felt.

Asking for help is the hardest part. And then it will feel like someone just lifted a Dodge Ram off your shoulders. The rest isn’t easy, but it’s fucking easier, and we need all the help we can get. Don’t wait too long to get the help you DESERVE.

5 years of freedom from the drugs and alcohol, freedom from the bondage of self. In those 5 years, a lot has happened and a lot has changed. I have changed friends, apartments, jobs and directions.

Years sober 🙂 no booze, no drugs, no bullshit

And at points in my sobriety, I have become complacent. I can say, without a shadow of a doubt, that my life is significantly better when I do the work. When I stopped doing all of the things that got me into recovery, I (thankfully) didn’t drink. But I was definitely not happy, joyous and free. And, for me, that’s a huge part of being sober. Today, I do the work – even when I don’t want to.

Knowing that I am in command of my life and not out of control

The drinking was covering up the issue(s), which had EVERYTHING to do with trauma, specifically undiagnosed PTSD. When you understand that you’re drinking to cover up pain, you’re quick to realize that the drinking might not necessarily be your fault. When you realize that your drinking isn’t necessarily your fault, it makes it much easier to forgive yourself. And when you can finally forgive yourself, it makes it so much easier to let go and move on. Sign up for my newsletter to receive monthly guidance on navigating life with trust and confidence. You’ll also get a set of daily reminders to build emotional resilience and support your healing journey.

After 5 Years Sober Here’s Why I Chose to Drink Again

I was a slave to what you thought of me, lacking the ability to connect with my own identity because I was so consumed by wanting to be liked. Although her life is so unique during sobriety milestones, she regularly manages profound situated desires for the substances she’s surrendered. She should endeavor to avoid the substances she longs for, and she’s building up a framework to help her visit calm.

Here are ten things I’ve learned in the five years since I’ve stopped drinking:

People https://www.inkl.com/news/sober-house-rules-a-comprehensive-overview have come and people have gone. But I have learned that the people who truly love you will be there to support you no matter what. I have gone through some very trying times in my sobriety, and a handful of people (some sober, others not) have stood by my side through it all. Knowing that the people in my life will love and support me no matter what was a pretty incredible thing to learn. At points in my sobriety, I have been diligent in my commitment to my program of recovery.

Losing Two Brothers to Drug Addiction: What Their Deaths Taught Me

There are these frameworks around me, you know? I think they assist me with remaining safe. I don’t feel like I need to zero in on this constantly,” he says. On December 31st, I celebrated 5 years of continuous sobriety.

Albeit the media on sobriety milestones may make becoming inebriated and utilizing drugs appear to be engaging and fun, the impacts of mishandling substances are not. Your addiction is NOT your fault, but it’s your responsibility. As a society we need to come together and start accepting addiction for what it is. It’s pain, it’s trauma―mostly stemmed from childhood. This isn’t to blame anyone, but it’s to bring awareness to the impact trauma has on our people. So, no, your addiction is NOT your fault.

FIVE YEARS NO ALCOHOL: TOP 10 THINGS I’VE LEARNED IN SOBRIETY

I’ve remembered that I am powerful, and that is a joy to behold. Alcohol distorts our memories, but so does shame – and together they aren’t a pretty combination. I’ve come to realise that for me, the hangovers, the accompanying anxiety and shame-ridden guilt after even drinking one glass were too much for me. Not only do I not have to design myself with labels, but I also don’t have to stick those labels onto me for all of those to see. This is something I recently realised with food.