Overcoming the Hardest Part: Staying Sober in the Face of Addiction

For many individuals, the process of overcoming alcohol addiction and maintaining sobriety can be a daunting and challenging journey. In this article, we explore the most difficult aspects of staying sober and offer insights on how to navigate this path successfully.

The Transition: Losing the Old Self

One of the hardest parts of staying sober is losing the old version of yourself. This transformation involves letting go of the familiar patterns and social circles that have been intertwined with your addiction. As an individual recollects, 'Losing the old version of yourself was the hardest part for me. When you have to reinvent yourself, make sure you like yourself first.'

Breaking Free: Saying Goodbye to Drinking Friends

Breaking free from long-standing friends who enable the addiction can be particularly difficult. The author shares his experience: 'It was not difficult for me. I parted ways with my lifelong drinking buddies permanently. They made fun of me, but I was committed.' This decision was driven by a deep dissatisfaction with the lifestyle associated with alcohol consumption and the health implications it brought. The author emphasizes, 'I was sick of the world-class bad hangovers, being broke, and my mom and sisters getting ready to boot me out of the family because I was a drunken slob. I was fed up with driving under the influence.'

The Battle Against Addiction

Once the addiction sets in, it becomes incredibly challenging to maintain sobriety. Alcohol is highly addictive, and as the body craves more and more, the individual may find it increasingly difficult to resist. The author underscores the difficulty, stating, 'It is so difficult to remain sober because alcohol is a very addictive substance. Once you have developed an addiction, your body begins to crave alcohol, and you’ll do all you can to get some and will still want more.'

Groups like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) can offer valuable support. During a period of the early 90's, the author quit and found that 'alcoholics who have finally confessed and accepted that alcohol has taken over their lives but now want to relieve themselves of the addiction. It is helpful and many have been successful who become members because the group share their experiences, how they are each dealing with their problem, and give eachother advice and support to not stop the fight against their addiction.'