Sobriety Gave Me So Much

…and it wasn’t my sobriety

I never wanted my friend to go sober. I did my fair share of dissuading her from admitting to a problem with alcohol. There are lots of reasons for this — one big one was the way I thought our friendship would change. I thought her going sober could spell the end. It turns out that I was wrong. Sobriety, more specifically my friend’s sobriety, gave me so much. I never expected it would, and I am forever grateful to her because of it.

The sober journey

Admitting you’re an alcoholic is no mean feat. It takes some careful and honest scrutiny of your life. Most of us aren’t very good at this. Usually, we’re way better at justifying how and why we are the way we are. It’s easier than changing. But that’s what you need to do if you have issues, not just with drinking. Try to remove yourself from the justification of it and objectively look at your behaviour. It’s far easier to write here than actually do.

Once you’ve come to terms with the fact you have a problem, you have to share the news with others. This may well be the hardest step on the path to sobriety. I can’t totally relate because it’s not an issue I struggle with. My poison is smoking. A little different, but I know that when I’ve told someone I’m quitting, it raises the stakes. I imagine it must be similar for those giving up booze. First, you’ve admitted to a problem, sharing it with others might feel like you’re setting yourself up for judgement and a fall.