One Year Sober: Why I Quit Drinking and How Sobriety Has Changed My Life

Honestly [I feel better] than I could have imagined. My relationships are better, my business is thriving, my heart and mind are open to possibilities that I wouldn’t have believed possible. Turns out, you can reinvent yourself—even at 48.

• That’s who I had been since I was 16 years old.
• I was very fearful of beginning a romantic relationship.
• People show up, and I’m trying to show up for people too, and be a good person.
• (Side note – If you are questioning your relationship with alcohol and just read that, thinking “well I’m not THAT bad,” you shouldn’t wait until your house is on fire to stop a gas leak).
• I got drunk for the first time when I was 15.
• A common thread woven throughout many success stories of addiction recovery is the role of other people in inspiring sobriety.

I was sliding down a very slippery slope without a solution. Alcohol had, over many years, subtly become my higher power, fully taking over my life. Every morning I would awaken with fear of going to work. My tremors would be so bad that at times I could barely sign my name, never mind perform the necessary skills for my profession.

Success Stories of Our Sober Living Alumni

I feel like I bring value instead of being a burden. I feel lighter and heavier at the same time if that makes sense. These days, my most difficult parts have more to do with what some people refer to as emotional sobriety. Dealing with my feelings can still be very challenging.

I’ll break down my experience for anyone who wants to know what to expect, like I did in those early days. Though, of course, everyone’s experience is different. I would wake up hungover daily, telling myself I wouldn’t https://ecosoberhouse.com/success-story/ drink that night. Then 5pm would roll around and I’d think, “What’s just one glass? ” ignoring over 10 years of evidence that it would never just be one glass. Because again, rationality is out the window.

A collection of quotes for soft people doing hard things

But, I maintained my grades and graduated on time. I was actually sorely hungover during graduation since I stayed up all night the day before taking pills and drinking. This place has been an amazing experience for me. The owners and staff care about the residents and help them learn how to live a positive and productive life. After countless relapses I made the decision to come to Real Recovery Tampa and the accountability and friends I’ve made while living here has made all the difference. This place is newly renovated and the living conditions are fantastic.

I have the wonderful privilege of interacting with lively support groups every day, and I continue to be in awe of just how eager everyone is to lend a helping hand and share their stories. Whether the recovering addict has a day or ten years under their sobriety belt, they are still deeply appreciated and cheered on. I have gathered nine inspiring sober success stories and would like to share them with you. I hope they serve as a beacon to guide you in your own journey. In today’s world, we are constantly bombarded with harrowing images of addiction.