At the end of our time drinking, gambling or using entering recovery, we know that we cannot carry on the way we have been and that we can no longer live with our addiction. However, we are also afraid of what life might be like without our ‘crutch’. I can remember saying to my GP (as if I was the first one to have ever felt this) ‘I can’t live with alcohol any more but I can’t live without it either!’. I was also thinking ahead to a time when I might have to give up drinking – but could not see how life would ever be the same if I could not have a drink to socialise.
How Can I Party/Go For Dinner?
How would I ever relax and let my hair down at a party again? What about going out to dinner? I would not feel sufficiently confident to join in the conversation. And how would I react around other people who were drinking? I was convinced that if I gave up drinking, life would be very boring. (How ridiculous was that given the situation I was in? My life revolved around the next drink and my life had become very constricted and small – I spent a lot of my time in my bedroom, drinking and mindlessly staring at the television – miserable, boring and very far from fun).
In Recovery We Are Free
When we get clean and sober, we are free – free from the slavery of drinking and using. Suddenly we have time and energy to do other things. We can travel, get out and about, take up a hobby, get a job – and of course attend recovery meetings and meet new friends. As our number of days in sobriety grows, we also become more comfortable with ourselves. We learn to relax and laugh without a drink or drug. We can have fun with a clear mind!
My family and friends still think I am a bit mad but I am happy with that. I am a bit eccentric (and I hope fun) without getting drunk – so when I let my hair down now, my family and friends can laugh with me and know I am not out of control. I am no longer an embarrassment.
In Recovery we take Responsibility
In recovery, we take responsibility for what we have done in the past, for what we are and for what we do. We accept that life is what we make it. We also become alert to the opportunities on offer. We can consider everyone we meet as a teacher – even if we do not like them very much or if we think that they do not like us. If we approach every circumstance we face as an opportunity to learn and grow – even if it is a difficult and painful situation – then we will gain the most from it. Every person we meet and situation we face will help us to develop and grow as a person.
Learn about the things we can do to take the path to recovery from the impact of addiction.
The Haynes Clinic is an alcohol and drug rehab clinic which offers detox and counselling for people with addictions.
Call 01462 851414 for free and confidential advice.
