sobrietea~ go sober

At first, this daily reflection passage made me think about the drink- romanticizing the way I was when it was in my life. Imaginative, joyous, carefree- these were the very reasons why I liked alcohol and how it was able to grab such a strong hold on me.

But how quickly it spiraled out of control. I went from drinking on weekends and special occasions to drinking on any day that ends in “y.” I had to drink more and more to get the same effect. I lost countless hours to nursing hangovers. I began to neglect my responsibilities at home, work, and school. I was a liar, a cheat, and a thief. Alcohol was not only robbing me of *me*, but also evolving my loved ones of me- the good me, the true me. But I didn’t care. Is that carefree? Is that imaginative? Is that joyous?

I think not. Sometimes a slow delivery, sobriety has given me back many of the things I’ve lost in my addiction. Not necessarily the material things or the relationships- but the self-respect, the clear head, and the lust for life that have long evaded me. It hasn’t always been easy-true-but it has been worthwhile.