Emily - 822 days

“They say anything worth having doesn’t come easily. The same can be said for sobriety.

The first few months of quitting drinking were the hardest, but now it’s just who I am. Every achievement - first trip to the pub, first live music gig, first wedding - all added up until it just became second nature. My “reasons why” had become so strong that any desire to drink was now associated with the hangovers, anxiety, regrets & shame that came with it. I wanted more from life than staying stuck in that vicious cycle. In a world where binge-drinking is the norm, I managed to reprogram my brain slowly but surely. Now I am granted my weekends back as time seems to grow as does my energy. I am able to fully commit to my hobbies and relationships. I feel as though I am more myself than I have ever been before and I feel like I can be present in the moment.

Solo hikes in nature have also had a huge impact, as I used to avoid being alone with my thoughts at all costs. Outside with nobody but yourself and the mountains, it allows you to figure out what really matters. Now I am able to deal with discomfort as I have now learned to sit with those uncomfortable feelings when they arise, instead of drowning them out. Breathing in fresh air and allowing the thoughts to flow freely, I know that I am capable of handling whatever comes my way. One step at a time.

I’m grateful to myself for making such a brave decision. The easy thing would be to keep doing what I had been doing - choose the path of least resistance and not face up to the reality that my drinking habits were unhealthy. Instead I fought for a better life for myself. It’s entirely possible, anyone can do it and it’s so damn worth it.”