Sobriety takes consistent effort, lots of maintenance and a heap of sitting with reality when you're way outside of your comfort zone. In the early days, it can seem overwhelming but as with all habits, it becomes much more comfortable and feel like second nature as time goes on.
But take a moment to consider this – drinking is also hard work. If you battle with substance abuse, you'll probably agree that feeding an addiction is exhausting. There's a lot of ruminating about whether you'll drink or not, where you'll get it, who you'll drink with or how you can drink alone. You can spend hours planning where you'll buy it from and how you'll hide it from others. Then there's the drinking itself and of course, the ruined sleep and hangovers.
Sobriety frees more energy than you ever realised you possessed.
Drinking is like a having powerful software programme running your computer, draining the battery. Other day-to-day software keeps crashing because there simply isn't enough power to sustain them. Eventually, the only thing you have energy for is to run the addiction to alcohol.
Sobriety takes up less energy and is easier than drinking
Sobriety is also demanding and takes time and energy but it becomes a pleasure and generates good health and peace of mind - it can deliver you a new life. Sobriety is definitely easier than drinking.
To continue using the analogy of computer software, living sober is like slowly installing a new operating system. It takes persistence, discipline and determination but overall, doesn't drain anywhere near as much battery power as drinking does. In fact, it frees more energy than you ever realised you possessed.
So if you're struggling with the work of early recovery, check in with how difficult it is compared to drinking. You might just find that your hardest day sober beats your best day drinking.
To get started in changing your operating system from addiction to sobriety, reach out for professional help, just like you would if you were having trouble with your computer. Having this support helps you to get started on building long-term sobriety.
To find out about how sober coaching might help you, contact Paulette at info@goodhealthcoach.co.nz or 027 231 5970.
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