2nd Xmas w/zero alcohol. It gets better🎄❤️

[Justme1983]

I quit drinking last September and haven’t had even one sip since. I was very sick and could have died. I let it get that far. I was past the point of no return. Now I am still around the stuff all the time. I am in a liquor store buying wine once week because my boss has me buying him two boxes of wine. He started drinking heavily after he had been sick in the hospital for other reasons. I suppose he is depressed seeing his wife whom I take care of has had dementia for years now and can no longer communicate with him. I find it immensely embarrassing just being in the store. Kind of ironic when I once was buying alcohol for myself on a daily basis. The thought of life without alcohol scared the hell out of me. I was so utterly dependent on it. First thing I did before I stopped cold turkey was Drink. I’d drink when I awoke in the A.M.drank at work, drank when I came home, drank before bed. Drank if I got up to use the bathroom. I didn’t go anywhere without alcohol in my purse!! I used to hide it everywhere and anywhere! Looking back now….I was disgusting

Last night all of my siblings and family member including my mothers new boyfriend were gathered for Christmas Eve. They were making blended cocktails and fancy drinks, ones that if I did drink I would have loved 🥰. But , I Dont ❣️We played Janga and hung out around the table till Midnight. I didn’t know how I was going to feel about being around a bunch of slightly intoxicated people. Being on a different level I have found in the past to be a bit of a nuisance. I’m happy to say I HAD A BLAST! I drank alongside them. I sipped hot chocolate with whip cream and felt very much involved. Just comes to show me that I’m not missing out on any fun. I definitely didn’t miss the hangover this morning while we were opening presents. At one point I felt so incredibly blessed that for once in my long lived career of drinking I was able to stop and smell the roses and really appreciate my family. where as once before I couldn’t and wouldn’t have anything else on my mind then how I would be getting my next drink without anyone noticing. I was able to actually appreciate the moment. I was outside having a cigarette. Which is the next thing on my list. My New Years Reso is to quit… wish me luck🍀. So here I was all alone outside and I started tearing up. Not because I was sad. Those tears were tears of happiness because I knew in my heart that I had made it. And if I could quit alcohol and feel this way then it will be a no brainer quitting smoking. Because I am strong and I can do anything when I make up my mind to do so. So for any of those just starting out on a new chapter in their life, Just know. You are strong and you can do anything!! Good luck everyone and Merry Christmas 🎄❣️🎄❤️

[Positive001]

Wonderful post. You have proved that celebrations, family gatherings and life in general is far better without alcohol. In fact it gets in the way of having a great time and you can remember what you did the day after. Now all you need to do is educate those who are waking up with a hangover this morning 🤣🤣.Have a great alcohol free New Years celebration too !

Well done you !!

Laura x

[DavyGravy]

Hi Justme

Wow what a wonderful heartwarming story. I love it when people share and show that their lives have transformed from being totally driven by their need for their next drink, to a point where they control their life's so well.

When they can be around others in the midst of temptation and have the will power to not only resist, but to be able to be happy and enjoy the moment sober is an incredible success and something you should really be proud for achieving.

Dave

[Zukosmile07]

Love it.......❤️ Also love the fact that you woke up in the morning with no hangover but prior to that you used to wake up and drink never to get a hangover 🤣😅😃. Just something I would of done, only yanking your chain 😉.Smoking next hey....!

Love it that when you make up your mind then your mind is made up.....(I do that)

Well done and good luck with the fagrets..😇

Danny x

[kensimmons]

Well done! Have a terrific new year!

[Violet74]

Never thought I could beat the drink. 3rd Christmas booze free for me. We are fantastic friend x

[deanw41]

Amazing!! Well done!! Your story is inspiring and goes to show that anything is possible!! 😊😊

[245H]

Thank you for posting, I really needed to hear your story. I am 37 days sober and while I didn't seriously entertain the idea of drinking I have found it fairly challenging this Christmas. The most difficult part was phone calls from friends you drink. One was particularly sorry to hear I had stopped and even told me she felt very sorry for my husband as he's had to drink alone this Christmas! These people are in their seventies, drink quite a lot and can't understand why one would possibly want to quit! We have numerous mutual friends who have passed on in the last year or two - all of cancer and all were either non drinkers or very moderate drinkers. To my friends, this is ample evidence that there are no guarantees in life (true), so why not do what you enjoy? It's taken me a day to process these conversations and hearing from someone who seems to enjoy sober life much more than drinking life really helps. So thank you for sharing such an uplifting story.

[DavyGravy in reply to 245H]

Christmas is one of the most difficult times and you have come through still sober. Well done 245H it is difficult when others think "one will not hurt you"

Dave

[briccolone]

Good Job Justme.... I was off alcohol for about 9 months at the start of the pandemic -I thought it was going to be more difficult than it was. I had some wine at Xmas but have started dry January already. With me I just sleep so much better not drinking and I'm still working so I'll be following your example. Best wishes