I wanted to do a post to acknowledge 1000 days sober but I forgot so I'm actually 1004 days as i write this....

I think the thing that keeps a lot of us drinking when we know our drinking is problematic is the belief that sobriety wont fix our problems so why give something up that we enjoy. I believed that I was so irreparably broken in so many ways that quitting drinking would just remove my coping mechanism.

There is some truth in this way of thinking, sobriety certainly didn't solve all of my problems overnight, and there are parts of me that instead of "fixing" I've learnt to accept, but looking back to the person i was 3 years ago it is clear that sobriety has given me things that are hard to put into words (but I'll try!)

I have finally learnt, at 41 years of age, who I really am. I used to think that masculinity was all about being macho, drinking lots, fighting, burying your emotions and generally not getting close to your real self. I now see that true strength lies in our vulnerabilities and in our ability to be proud of who we truly are. I spent my whole life trying to live up to an ego I built which was based on what I thought other people wanted to see. The truth is people are far more respectful of someone who sets their own boundaries and lives authentically to who they truly are. For example, in sobriety you'll get far more respect by confidently saying that you don't drink, without any explanation, than coming up with excuses or feeling like you have to explain yourself. It's empowering to stand firm when going against the societal norm of something like drinking, and it is no one else's business what you choose to put into your body. Interesting conversations can of course come about from your recovery, but it's not your obligation to explain yourself. This world is so much easier to navigate when you are comfortable being yourself and not trying to live up to some alter ego.

My recovery is firmly rooted in health. Nutrition, exercise and strength training are the pillars of my sobriety and they have provided more than I can possibly explain. I know this isn't for everyone and I'm not saying by any means that everyone has to take this approach, but for me, these things are just awesome. To see tangible benefits physically, mentally, visually and socially through these things is my way of life now and I wouldn't want it any other way.

The last thing I'll mention, and sorry to be morbid, but I think it's only right to be clear on how bad things were, is that towards the end of my drinking days I regularly used to daydream of ending it all, the thought of escaping the pain of existence was seeming more and more comforting, and as I'd tried recovery on and off for around 5 years, I had no faith that it would work for me. I just felt so uncomfortable from the moment I woke up until I blacked out that evening that I knew I couldn't go on. Looking back on that now seems so sad, I want to go back to that time and tell myself that it'll all be alright, because it is now. My life isn't perfect, but no ones is. I have these moments that are becoming gradually more frequent where I have this almost spiritual feeling of contentment. Me and my partner will be walking our dog in the countryside and I just have this feeling that everything is enough, I don't "need" anything, not a drink, a cigarette, a spliff, a line, nothing. I had everything I ever needed all along, I just had to let it in.

The last 1000 days have not been a smooth journey for me, I've had long periods of intense cravings, questioning my recovery, feeling like I'm no better off etc etc but they all passed because I've stayed the course. None of the good things in sobriety came quickly for me, they took years, but the catalyst was not drinking and that part is actually very simple, not easy, but simple. Have faith in recovery, stay connected to yourself, and do not drink!

There is growing evidence that cannabis use is linked to the onset of psychosis, particularly in people aged in their 20s and 30s.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/health/2...osis/107048934

Hi, I'm Laura! I have been sober from Alcohol since April 4th, 2026. I am grateful that I have been able to build a new life for myself. I am glad to be here!

Hi, I]]>������ ]]> Newcomers to Recovery nicole33 https://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/newcomers-recovery/470976-new.html https://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/newcomers-recovery/470974-weekenders-bleed-us-dry-if-we-let-21-24-august-2026-a.html Thu, 20 Aug 2026 02:59:55 GMT Weekenders: Bleed us dry if we let it�21-24 August 2026 Image: https://i.postimg.cc/RZLySwcs/IMG-3235.jpg (https://postimages.org/) I�ve posted this before and found it interesting. Hope...

Weekenders: Bleed us dry if we let it]]>�

I]]>�


I came across an interesting article in SR addiction library about Vampire Energy!

There was a comparison between active addiction being a life drainer, just as the mythical Count Dracula was.



Defining Vampire Energy & Its Role in Active Addiction



I hadn]]>�


It went on to say

]]>��


By starving our addiction (vampire energy) we can focus on our recovery.



If you can stick around the Weekenders, you]]>�


Last week]]>�WEEKENDERS: Total Eclipse of the Mind. 15-18 August 2026

]]> Newcomers to Recovery Mags1 https://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/newcomers-recovery/470974-weekenders-bleed-us-dry-if-we-let-21-24-august-2026-a.html https://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/newcomers-recovery/470973-quit-alcohol-january-1st-2017-a.html Wed, 19 Aug 2026 03:31:52 GMT

HI! I just joined tonight. I haven't had 1 drop of alcohol since January 1st, 2017. I was a severe alcoholic & it just kept getting worse every year. I started drinking bad as soon as I turned 21 yrs old, legal to buy alcohol. When I say bad, I mean blackout drunk from shots of whiskey with bottles of beer.
I would like to connect with others here. I need some advice about craving alcohol & really missing it, for awhile now. Thanks for reading & I'm glad to meet everyone here!
Have a good day/night wherever you're at!

]]> Newcomers to Recovery jump rope https://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/newcomers-recovery/470973-quit-alcohol-january-1st-2017-a.html https://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/newcomers-recovery/470972-nvm-delete.html Wed, 19 Aug 2026 01:51:21 GMT E

E

]]> Newcomers to Recovery freedomfries https://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/newcomers-recovery/470972-nvm-delete.html https://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/alcoholism/470971-brad-pitt.html Tue, 18 Aug 2026 23:21:12 GMT Brad Pitt has revealed that he is drinking alcohol again after approximately seven years of sobriety (He discussed it candidly in a new interview with Esquire) He was completely sober for seven...

Brad Pitt has revealed that he is drinking alcohol again after approximately seven years of sobriety (He discussed it candidly in a new interview with Esquire)
He was completely sober for seven years, beginning around 2016, then started drinking again, but says he is doing so much more moderately than in the past.
He says he can have a few glasses of wine, but now knows he cannot drink large quantities.

This made me wonder if someone who was once a heavy drinker can actually go back to drinking in moderation after seven years of sobriety.
I know that, for me, it would be impossible to start drinking again without eventually going back to where I was when I quit]]>�
This news about Brad Pitt unsettles me. I don't like that it makes me question things]]>��� What are your thoughts about this?

]]> Alcoholism Canadian Koala https://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/alcoholism/470971-brad-pitt.html https://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/newcomers-recovery/470969-note-self-big-win.html Tue, 18 Aug 2026 14:19:35 GMT

I'm starting this thread to remind myself if I just stay sober that's huge! I struggled a long time to stop just like many here.
I'm struggling at the moment, my life is a tornado up and down. I know this is to be expected with major changes and problems. I'm alive and breathing I'll be grateful for that today. It's a great day

]]> Newcomers to Recovery kensie12 https://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/newcomers-recovery/470969-note-self-big-win.html https://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/newcomers-recovery/470965-9-months-sobriety-loving.html Mon, 17 Aug 2026 13:44:16 GMT

Can't believe it's been 9 months free from the prison of alcohol.

If someone had of told me I'd be sitting here today happy without alcohol, I wouldn't have ever believed them. I thought it was my destiny to be stuck in that hell.

If anyone is thinking they can't do it, no matter how many times they've tried. I'm here to tell you you can, it is very possible and a wonderful place to be.

Although I have liver issues now, I feel better now than I ever did while drinking. I still have everyday problems like everyone else but I'm so much better at being able to handle them.

I seen my liver consultant last week & he said I was very lucky as I was just on the edge of no return, and he admitted that most people that come to him in the condition I was in 9 months ago don't come back from it. He is so confident in my recovery that he is going to discharge me back to my primary care giver in 6 months if things remain as well as they are now. And as I was leaving he said to me he's so glad to see me doing so well ❤️ it was lovely to hear.

So although I have more work to do & now have a life long illness. It's manageable, but a cautionary tale. Don't wait until you cross that line of no return. You can recover.

Xxx

]]> Newcomers to Recovery elisha82 https://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/newcomers-recovery/470965-9-months-sobriety-loving.html https://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/newcomers-recovery/470963-another-celeb-lost.html Mon, 17 Aug 2026 04:18:46 GMT I just read that Hayden Panettiere passed away. The cause of her passing was not released, but I know she struggled with addiction and depression. She seemed to be on a spiral since losing custody of...

I just read that Hayden Panettiere passed away. The cause of her passing was not released, but I know she struggled with addiction and depression. She seemed to be on a spiral since losing custody of her daughter and then losing her brother to a sudden passing in 2023.

Just 36 years old. I got to meet her briefly when she worked on Heroes. She was a sweet kid back then. It sucks to read this. I'm hoping drugs and booze didn't have anything to do with it, but everything I've read so far seems to be pointing to it.

May she rest in peace.

Only one thing comes to mind when I read things like this....

There but for the grace of God.

]]> Newcomers to Recovery BullDog777 https://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/newcomers-recovery/470963-another-celeb-lost.html https://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/newcomers-recovery/470961-growing-up.html Sun, 16 Aug 2026 18:38:55 GMT I genuinely think I�m 41 and haven�t settled down or grown up. When I�m not drinking I�m more adulty (�boring�). I genuinely think the only way for me to grow up is quitting alcohol

I genuinely think I]]>������ ]]> Newcomers to Recovery Alan38 https://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/newcomers-recovery/470961-growing-up.html https://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/newcomers-recovery/470960-back-work.html Sun, 16 Aug 2026 11:53:07 GMT Summer is over and I�m headed back to work tomorrow. All the emails are starting, mostly from someone who is a control freak and kinda a jerk. I�ve been in office once last week and was told some...

Summer is over and I]]>��
My first instinct is to fight. Anger and fighting are my go to coping mechanisms and, well, they don]]>�
Instead, I talked it out with trusted friends and my therapist. Allowed myself the thoughts without action, processed it, and am moving past my initial reaction.

No way could I have done this actively drinking. The reflective pause is one of my most precious gifts of sobriety. It took a really long time to learn how to do it and I am beyond grateful that I have learned it.

]]> Newcomers to Recovery Atlast9999 https://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/newcomers-recovery/470960-back-work.html https://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/newcomers-recovery/470959-102-days.html Sun, 16 Aug 2026 10:54:00 GMT So I�m here again. Have another period of sobriety under my belt. I fell off the wagon back in February after around 4 months of sobriety. I went to meet a friend for Sunday lunch, she was...

So I]]>�
Have another period of sobriety under my belt. I fell off the wagon back in February after around 4 months of sobriety.

I went to meet a friend for Sunday lunch, she was drinking which doesn]]>���
I was right back where I left off. There wasn]]>�
Anyway the good news is I got to the stage where I was like I can]]>�����
At this stage I]]>�������
But I don]]>������
its bizarre. Over the last 6 or 7 years or whenever I joined this forum, I]]>�� that. It]]>����
I feel good now. My anxiety is not a problem, I sometimes get social anxiety but I need to remember that will pass, and if needed I should just walk out rather than reach for a drink. So I can]]>��
Anyway good to see you all again

]]> Newcomers to Recovery Primativo https://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/newcomers-recovery/470959-102-days.html https://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/newcomers-recovery/470958-13-years-sober.html Sat, 15 Aug 2026 20:21:15 GMT

Another year! I celebrated by starting my day in a community pool, where I'm spending as much of our short outdoor swimming season as possible. Started last year with water aerobics and began lap swimming a few months back.

Today, for the second time, I hit a personal record: one-half mile of the breaststroke. It's amazing how swimming helps the body build endurance. If you'd told me a few months ago that I'd work up to a half-mile, I'd have been incredulous (to say the least). Some pretty strong analogies to be drawn to getting sober and living in recovery. There's a time when it seems unreachable. The next thing you know, the sober life is your normal. Your joyous normal. I'll turn 65 in 2027; my goal is to be able to swim a mile by my birthday. It's my joyous goal, not a laborious or fearful one.

The rest of life is good. I'm in my second year of retirement and still hard at work on a writing project. (There's a patience builder if there ever was one.) I'm also looking forward to a trip to Spain next spring.

My life today would not be possible without SR. I continue to be so grateful for this wonderful resource.

Live in the solution.

]]> Newcomers to Recovery Venecia https://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/newcomers-recovery/470958-13-years-sober.html