Asking For A Friend
All my relationships shifted once I became sober.
I just wanted to be numb.
But I realized I felt more empty afterward.
A:Julia, I am so pleased you reached out to me aboutsobriety.
You mentioned that yourfriends dont really understand your new sobrietyand are questioning why you made this choice.
In the beginning, I also experienced this.
My friends said things like You werent that bad; why do it’s crucial that you be sober?
Its important to not listen to what they say.
You know way better than anybody else how you feel about yourself and the changes you gotta make.
Itll be good to have alternatives to hanging with your old crew.
I was able to keep some of my friends the ones who understood what I was trying to do.
I wanted to be sober, but I didnt want to lose my lifestyle and friends too.
Be open to hearing what they say.
Also, be aware that itd be best to get rid of anyone who wont accept your new lifestyle.
I would be dishonest if I said that sobriety is a breeze.
For me,stopping drinkingwas just the first step.
That was terrifying at first!
This is a normal and necessary part of growth, and everyone goes through it.
Know that there is so much support for you to do this.
You dont have to do it alone.
People have stayed sober in many ways.
Twelve-step meetings are free and available to anybody who has the desire to stop drinking.
(The most common one isAlcoholics Anonymous.)
It is a personal preference about what could work best for you.
Wishing you continued strength and commitment on your journey.
This article was originally published onSep.
