6 Lessons You Will Learn When You Stop Drinking
The end of alcohol is the beginning of your life.
Years ago, I was at a party. It was your typical early 90’s high school, keg-fueled, red solo cup kind of affair. I only remember glimpses of the night.
Taking long sips straight from a bottle of vodka left me with hazy memories after an hour. I remember opening my eyes and being behind the wheel of my car, still parked in front of the party. I must have blacked out.
I was 16.
I will be the first to tell you I am the luckiest girl you will ever know. The next 5 years brought plenty of nights like that one and somehow I emerged unscathed. Somehow, I was never hurt (other than the brutal hangovers) and I never injured anyone else (at least physically).
I will say it again. I. Am. So. Lucky.
By 21, a string of failures and disappointments brought me low. I was scaring people who loved me. I was fighting with everyone. There was no joy in my life. My drinking never went well, but it had become a pit of despair. I could share every detail, but if you are reading this because you need help, then we don’t need to compare notes. If you think you have a problem, you probably do.
“Alcoholism isn’t always what you think it…