“242 days sober and a whole new life has begun”
I AM a 58-year-old woman working in the care sector.
When I was younger, my alcohol consumption was quite moderate, and such occasional use continued well into adulthood.
BUT , it happened that wine took over more and more of my life. I used to do a lot of exercise, and it made me feel good and relaxed. Gradually, wine took the place of exercise, and as if by surprise, I was hooked: if not drinking, at least planning when I could drink again.
Eventually the sports and other hobbies stopped, and I became alcoholic.
I “DID” my job and my life quite well, and I don’t think very many people knew, let alone believed, that I was as addicted to wine as I really was.
I am a positive person by nature, but alcohol made me depressed. I saw little joy in anything, and I didn’t care about myself. All I could think about was when I could drink.
I couldn’t stop, even though I hated my drinks so much that I poured the rest of the wine down the drain. Alcohol had completely taken over my mind and I was desperately doing the “Drinking too much” tests I had found online. Self-esteem, fatigue and joylessness increased all the time. I wanted to get rid of alcohol, but I didn’t know how to do it.
I sought help for my situation from the A-Clinic, but there I felt that my problem was downplayed: “You can have a few glasses of wine while you’re at work”.
I also joined an online AA group and went to a women’s group a few times. I’m sure many people get help there, but it didn’t work for me.
I didn’t need any more blaming and dwelling on the past. I had enough of blaming myself and being ashamed of my drinking. I also didn’t feel comfortable saying I was an alcoholic.
I just WANTED to get rid of alcohol. I wanted sobriety and joy in my life.
Then I was lucky enough to find Soberist’s Get Free from Wine online, I joined it, and today marks 242 days of sobriety.
I was beginning to think that I would never get rid of alcohol, but a miracle has happened: my thoughts are also free of wine. I have started a whole new life with this soberism. Fear, depression and anxiety are gone.
TOKIHAN Adversity and disappointment in life comes from time to time, but my attitude towards them has changed.
In THIS method, I was helped by joy and hope – and a strong resolve and anchoring it. The course materials and live coaching sessions, the recordings of which I have listened to again and again, have also helped me to stay sober. The self-compassion part has been particularly important.
I have got rid of alcohol and regained my joy of life, hope, dreams and self-care. Others have also noticed my change and I have already been able to tell them about my situation. Maybe by being open I can help others to recover from alcohol with joy and hope.
I could no longer imagine a situation where I would drink alcohol. My life has become so wonderful that I never want to go back to that gloom and despair. Whatever happens, I will stick to my decision.
THIS sobering up is a process that will continue for the rest of your life, and will bring so many positive things that you can’t believe it.
Riitta, 58 years old, Soberisti
This article has been updated on 29.6.2021 at 16.36 with new feedback from Rita
