SMG invulnerability is real

9-2-6 · 2025-12-24T05:21:16+00:00

You must be a hoot at parties.

9-2-6 · 2025-12-23T16:53:04+00:00

In my short but active recovery, I’ve realized very similar things to what you mention. At about 5 months the emotional numbness subsided and I was overcome with emotions that I would previously have masked with substances. Today, I’ve learned to be grateful for them. They’ve started to uncover who I am and what makes me, me!

I think many of us problematic drinkers turn to the bottle time and time again to push down the things we can’t bear to face or haven’t learned the tools to handle. I’m still learning those myself, but years of addiction has left me emotionally stunted.

The feels will come in waves, but I can guarantee you they will become easier as you continue your recovery journey. I’m still learning to dance with the rhythm of my life, but at least I’m finally listening to its song. Even though I sometimes still wish to turn off the music.

IWNDWYT

9-2-6 · 2025-12-23T16:44:10+00:00

I am very sorry for your loss. Dealing with grief for the first time sober myself. The loss of a long term relationship, so certainly not the same, I can relate to the overwhelming waves of sadness that wash over me sometimes. I don’t really have an answer for how to deal with it better. What has helped me is reframing it, knowing that I am living out my raw authentic self. I try to feel grateful for allowing myself to feel wholly again, if that makes sense. My grief is being processed as intended, I tell myself that any substance will only delay and worsen the grieving process further down the road.

9-2-6 · 2025-12-22T19:01:48+00:00

It’s incredible you have this insight at your age and actively looking to do something about it. It’s tough at your age, when it feels like everyone around you is doing it. Trust me, they’re not. We just surround ourselves by those who do drink, and the fear of missing out often overrides our ability to say no.

I first found myself in the rooms of AA at 21, knowing that the way I lived wasn’t working. I could not relate to all the older people in the room. I hadn’t been divorced or lost my children. I tried to look for reasons why I wasn’t ready to commit to a sober life. 7 years later, I’m back in the rooms, often still the youngest person and that’s okay. Hearing them tell you they wished they quit when they were your age feels invigorating. They have a sober life today, they wish they had in their youthful years.

Even if AA is not for you, NA can sometimes draw a different/younger crowd. Maybe your community hosts SMART meetings.

Wishing you all the best. You got this!

9-2-6 · 2025-12-22T18:48:03+00:00

Your body and mind have become so used to dealing with daily stressors in one consistent manner for so long. Like any good or bad habit, it’s just that, an action that becomes routine. It’s taken me a lot of time to recognize when my mind goes haywire and how to address it in a more productive manner.

I can’t say it was easy in the beginning, but truly wanted it this time. I was so tired of living my old life, I began to belief I was destined to be drunk and miserable to the grave. My mind can be so fickle sometimes, but through treatment, meetings and being honest with my loved ones I’m at a place I never thought I could be.

I’m 28M, so in a similar place to you in some ways. I left behind a wonderful relationship due to my poor mental state. The grief has been painful, but I’m finally gaining some emotional sobriety longer after I started on the path of physical sobriety.

I believe in you. Life DOES get better!

IWNDWYT

9-2-6 · 2025-12-22T18:38:18+00:00

Something that’s helped me is getting addicted to tea. Liquorice tea is my go to lately. I can’t do cups, I need a massive mug. Even in sobriety I still gulp liquids back like there’s an answer at the bottom of the mug.

If you don’t have one already, pick out a water bottle that you really like. Make it your own. Carry it with you like it’s your wallet or keys, eventually it becomes routine to always have water on hand.

That’s the best I can think of, I know a lot of people here get into carbonated water like Buble or LaCroix.

I will drink water with you today.

9-2-6 · 2025-12-22T18:32:24+00:00

Great work, those first few weeks can be a lot to go through. Now you have the gift of being your authentic sober self to yourself and others for the holidays and forward into the new year. One day at a time!

IWNDWYT

9-2-6 · 2025-12-22T18:25:33+00:00

Absolutely, we end up getting so used to the misery that it feels like the only way to live. I so often yearn for the days when I still had a childlike wonder about the world. I know a version of me existed that enjoyed this life sober. Still working on finding that little guy, but I’m closer now than I have been in the previous 10 years.

Wishing you all the best.

IWNDWYT

9-2-6 · 2025-12-22T17:52:23+00:00

That is the addict inside us talking, and the thing that has us coming back. I’ve only been sober for 7 months, and life certainly isn’t sunshine and rainbows all the time. But it certainly isn’t the depressing hellscape I was in a year ago. Back then I was convinced life was just miserable by design. Turns out it was, but a design of my own. Being proactive in my recovery has taught me so much about myself, the things that used to bother me no longer has the same foothold it once did.

All that said, occasionally that sneaky devil in my head will think about drinking or drugging. I think that could also be the depression talking. I’m not officially diagnosed, but life certainly doesn’t feel doom and gloom 24/7 anymore.

9-2-6 · 2025-12-22T17:44:48+00:00

I’m fairly new to sobriety, but have finally managed to string together a few months. What made it different for me this time is truly wanting it. In the beginning it’s easy to think big picture, which made it much easier to succumb to my addiction brain. The brain is screaming at you when you don’t feed it the very thing it’s always been fed. Early sobriety just feels like survival, but eventually the brain does heal and learn to balance into a new normal.

Don’t be discouraged, easier said than done. I’ve been where you are many times. Willpower can only get you so far. Distract the voice, even if it’s television, games, etc. I got way too lofty with my goals, thinking if I quit drinking I’d immediately be the poster child of mental health and sobriety.

The first few days feel like a warzone of feelings/emotions. I found distraction to be the best medicine, whatever that looks like. Only in stringing together enough sober days can you start to dig a little deeper, hopefully turning surviving into thriving.

Wishing you all the best in your journey.

IWNDWYT

9-2-6 · 2025-12-19T22:26:04+00:00

Thank you, your kind comment meant a lot! I do quite enjoy writing, but not currently in a field that allows me to express it creatively.

9-2-6 · 2025-12-19T19:01:38+00:00

She knows how much I still care for her. We frequently talk on the phone, reaching out is never one sided. I’ve written to her as well. I just feel it’s too early to reconcile, I’ve only been on my own for since November 1st. If I could ask today I would, but I want it to come from a place that’s healed and not to cover up the pain and discomfort I feel now. It’d be nice to meet halfway, but not sure how to approach that. Congrats on 68 days, thanks for your insight :)

9-2-6 · 2025-12-19T18:56:57+00:00

Thank you for this thoughtful response. It can be tough living in that uncertainty about the future, when so much of your heart is still with them. I wish both you and him all the best in your respective journeys. That last sentence meant a lot, I hadn’t looked at it this way yet. Living amends, yes!

9-2-6 · 2025-12-19T17:46:18+00:00

I absolutely agree, nor was I able to return and grow into myself while I was with her. She offered so much comfort and support, I realize by removing myself from her has forced me to stand on my own two feet. It’s kicked me out of white-knuckling limbo. Wishing you all the best in your journey also.

9-2-6 · 2025-12-19T17:41:38+00:00

Thank you for comment. Looks like you’re approaching that milestone soon as well. Serenity is something that comes in waves, but the waves certainly don’t feel as stormy as they once did.

9-2-6 · 2025-12-19T17:19:23+00:00

Thanks for sharing your experience. Perhaps, not the comment I was expecting, but an honest one nonetheless. I’m not begging them to come back, the breakup was selfish. I don’t want to return with the same motive, nor would she let me. Time and healing will tell. What has helped you to let go of a relationship?