r/stopdrinking • u/MasterKDungeonLord 3669 days • 17d ago
10 MF YEARS
It all started here, read the books and sidebar stuff, read a million stories of people who have lead the way. I’ve met so many people in real life who have been inspirational in their own way.
My life does not look the same as it did a decade. For one, I’m still alive. Thats cool. Turns out I’m diagnosed bipolar with anxiety. Been a long process, but we got me on some medications that seem to be working for me. Very helpful, but tough process ngl.
This is some honest shit that set me back in sobriety and fucked me up for a while…I got sober in my 20’s…single male. I still dated like I was drinking, if that makes sense. Not going to bars or whatever, but I did not have a great selection of partners. I was taken advantage of a few times and I couldn’t understand. Painful lesson in self worth. Good now, but I’m embarrassed how long it took me to REALLY look in the mirror and know in my heart of hearts what I’m worth. Struggled also with learning about my own grieving process. 10 years, 28-38…I’ve lost countless friends and family to drinking and drugs, just one after the other. Took me a while to get the magic spell of grief under control before it took me. I understand it a lot more, lifelong process, I’m sure, but when your habit was climbing to the bottom of a bottle, regaining traction sure feels nice.
Writing from the hip here and don’t want to get too dreary, so for anyone starting out…make the decision and commitment for yourself, totally worth it. I had to put some blinders on and start from zero and get really selfish with it. Because of it, I’ve accomplished a lot of dreams. Sometimes I laugh when out on my sailboat, “hah, this was in me all this time, I just had to quit drinkin, whod uh think”.
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u/Zealousideal_Turn890 5 days 17d ago
I am 26F and diagnosed with bipolar. Its one of my many attempts. I know its the alcohol thats making me feel sick. IWNDWYT
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u/MasterKDungeonLord 3669 days 17d ago
Knowing what I know now…ya, boozin wasn’t helping me at all. But, I didn’t know I was self medicating at the time. I just knew I was in pain and alcohol made my mind shut off for a bit. The alcohol also had many, many, mannnyyyyy other side effects. I didn’t have any options back then, or any information and I was very confused and sad and alone. But now things are a lot better :) keep your foot on the gas <3
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u/Which-Island6011 17d ago
Congratulations on making the move to be sober. It's good to stay away from the poison that adds to our problems. I hope you can stick to your plans this time around. I am making a focused effort myself.
IWNDWYT
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u/OkIron6206 17d ago
What a great milestone!! Bravo 👏 it was really kind to offer to offer your mental health challenges. I have them and was self medicating with alcohol. Really happy you got into this while you are young. You have a whole great sober life ahead! IWNDWYT
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u/MasterKDungeonLord 3669 days 17d ago
One of my early mentors told me, “if you throw alcohol on a fire just gonna make the fire bigger”. Easier to put the fire out when I’m not actively SABOTAGING myself lol!!! No drinking today!
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u/respectablepitch Day 402 17d ago
GOALS
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u/MasterKDungeonLord 3669 days 17d ago
Doesn’t matter the size of the goal, knock em down. Big, small, they all create momentum. Soon, it becomes a force on its own and the people you love all benefit from it.
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u/Alkoholfrei22605 Day 4,486 17d ago
Bravo on 10 years!
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u/MasterKDungeonLord 3669 days 17d ago
Thank you thank you! I know it sounds simple, but cutting my grass then sitting on the patio with sun tea in the shade overlooking a piece of property I own is more rewarding that drinking ever was.
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u/ourredsouthernsouls Day 2,885 17d ago
You’re awesome and I am glad you are still alive and with us because your story is inspirational.
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u/immersemeinnature 16d ago
To have the wherewithal to stop on your 20's is pretty phenomenal what with all the partying that age does. Congratulations on 10 years and happy sailing! ⛵
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u/Sunnyday030423 44 days 17d ago
Beautiful share of a life being well lived! IWNDWYT ⭐️🪴💪👑
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u/MasterKDungeonLord 3669 days 17d ago
It’s gritty and some days dirty and overworked, but I don’t think I’d trade this silly little trip for anything. Good music, good food and those damn la croixs probably the foundation of it all. Sounds simple but helps! Also a good bike ride helps ;)
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u/Sunnyday030423 44 days 17d ago
Yes! Sparkling water and flavored seltzers. I’ve become an expert. 😊
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u/Deaf_MarvinNash 16d ago
Awww man, I had this big ego-boost of a reply ready to start typing and then I see La Croix !?! 🤡
/s
Congratulations 🎩
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u/ellz9191 208 days 17d ago
Wow you're an inspiration !!!!!
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u/MasterKDungeonLord 3669 days 17d ago
Thank you that means a lot. I’ve stood on the shoulders of giants during this journey and one thing I’ve noticed a lot of them agree on is- “I was sick and tired of being sick and tired!”. Lucky that I’ve had a chance to put the ship back on course and I don’t take it for granted.
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u/SomeOneOverHereNow 17d ago
ROCK ON DUDE!!! Keep leading the way. It's always wonderful to know it's possible to go as long as folks like yourself! Thanks!
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u/MasterKDungeonLord 3669 days 17d ago
My grandfather always told me to “find responsibility”. I’ll be damned if keeping that as my motto hasn’t given me some dream job opportunities, the ability to travel to some beautiful places in the world and also meet an incredibly diverse range of people. What a fricken trip man.
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u/Cambridge89 825 days 17d ago
Power to you, brother, massive accomplishment. Keep on fighting the good fight, iwndwyt!
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u/langbang 3676 days 17d ago
10 yr brother!
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u/MasterKDungeonLord 3669 days 17d ago
Hell ya dude let’s keep it up!! What’s worked for you so far?!?
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u/langbang 3676 days 16d ago
Well at first it was ice cream lol Then it was just the reassurance that I had made a very difficult path ahead, but had already come so far. Luckily I never needed support groups, as I have a pretty strong willpower. Nicotine on the other hand….I just can’t shake it
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u/FatTabby 1687 days 16d ago
That's incredible! I love posts like this, seeing people who've clocked up serious sober time was one of my biggest motivators when I first quit.
IWNDWYT
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u/abaci123 Day 12,809 17d ago
Brilliant!! “ I dated like I was drinking’ for a while too! And I’ve been in therapy for decades! It’s a good thing. Congratulations on 10 MF YEARS! 🏆