Sober Story: Michelle

Michelle

This week’s Sober Story comes from Michelle, a 41-year-old living in Christchurch. 

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Mrs D: How long have you been in recovery?

Michelle: Just over 3 and a half years.

Mrs D: What can you tell us about the last months/years of your drinking before you gave up?

Michelle: I was a binge drinker from about the age of 15. The last few months before I stopped my drinking was getting more frequent and nearly always involved total intoxication and a hangover the next day. It could be any day of the week depending on my mood each day and I definitely could not go to an event without my drink.

Mrs D: What was the final straw that led you to get sober?

Michelle: I was at a friends birthday party with many friends and acquaintances from the neighbourhood. I got totally drunk, lost inhibitions and behaved inappropriately – again – but this time it went to a newer low.

Mrs D: How was it for you when you first gave up? What was most difficult?

Michelle: I didn’t find it hard not to drink in the early days because I would just remind myself of the night in question and cringe. I was extremely ashamed of myself and knew that if I went near alcohol again there were no limits to my behaviour.

Mrs D: What reaction did you get from family & friends when you started getting sober?

Michelle: Family were obviously very supportive and grateful that I had stopped because they didn’t like seeing me intoxicated or having to deal with me the day after when I was always so low and depressed. The friends who loved the party girl I avoided for many months/years so I could stay strong. I wasn’t sure they would like the new me so I didn’t give them a chance initially to be close to me. Some of those friendships have rekindled and they accept me for for who I am and respect my decision.

Mrs D: Experts say relapse is often a part of recovery, was it a feature of yours?

Michelle: No. I am proud to say not a drop of alcohol has touched my lips since September 3rd, 2011.

Mrs D: How long did it take for things to start calming down for you emotionally & physically?

Michelle: Well it did take time, more like years, because for months after that night I was so ashamed and this kept me feeling low. The time has given me a chance to gain confidence in myself and believe that I will not go down that path again.

Mrs D: How hard was it getting used to socialising sober?

Michelle: I didn’t find it that hard because I felt so low that if I had a drink I knew I would be doomed and feel even worse, so I stayed away from it.

Mrs D: Was there anything surprising that you learned about yourself when you stopped drinking?

Michelle: The fact that I could get past days/weeks/months and years without a drink is what is surprising, especially because it was a big part of my life.

Mrs D: How did your life change?

Michelle: I gained back my self worth, I have been able to offer guidance to others. I have maintained my marriage and friendships that could have otherwise been damaged. I am now a great role model for my children.

Mrs D: What are the main benefits that emerged for you from getting sober?

Michelle:
*Stopping the cycle of alcoholism passed down from my family so I can be proud of myself as a person and especially as a mother.
*Not waking up feeling so unwell or having my children worry about me being sick and them not realising it was all self inflicted.
*Keeping myself safe from being vulnerable to male attention.

Mrs D: Would you do anything differently given the chance to go through the process again?

Michelle: I wish I wasn’t in this situation in the first place but given I was I wouldnt change anything since the day I stopped drinking…just the many days/nights prior – I would love to change that.

Mrs D: What advice or tips would you have for those who are just starting on this journey?

Michelle: Have a strong mind, focus on the future and the rewards of living alcohol free, avoid situations/events when you feel weak, lap up support from those people who stand by you, stay away from the people who would like to see you fail this, ring the alcohol helpline if you need extra support, fill the alcohol gap with a hobby or interest that will inspire you and take your mind away from booze…start good habits and keep doing these things until they are habits entrenched.

Mrs D: Anything else you’d like to share?

Michelle: Alcohol was a demon for me that I have successfully conquered. I didn’t realise until I was in my 30s that this behaviour was a result of what I had seen and experienced growing up. I did use alcohol to escape life and the pressures of life and at the time I didn’t realise it was doing me way more harm than good. Having young children made me also think about the example I was setting for them. Did I want the cycle of alcohol abuse to continue to my children and maybe to their children if they followed suit?? Alcohol can be very destructive if it is not respected. Many people who end up relying on alcohol use it as a crutch to avoid dealing with issues or problems. Now I have to face challenges in life without alcohol. I am now confident to know that I can deal with these things without needing a drink to prop me up and overall having an alcohol free life makes me stronger and stronger. I know I can cope.

 

8 Comments
  1. Page 5 years ago

    Thanks for sharing, Michelle. That’s a really brave thing to do and helps others so much. I can totally relate to your story.

  2. salshak 5 years ago

    As a 67 year old woman, mother, wife with 32 sober days behind me, I can attest to the shame and regret you are feeling. But, the past can’t be changed only learned from. I’ve found that those I’ve hurt by my behavior are very forgiving when I am honest with them. The hardest is forgiving myself.

  3. marmite 5 years ago

    Thanks for sharing Michelle and congratulations on so long sober. I’m a 41yr old chch mum too with 19months under my belt. Go us!

  4. sheaney5 5 years ago

    Thank you so much Michelle and congratulations on 3 years sobriety. It is so true the final months of drinking were becoming behaviorally worse and not so secret. It is those memories that I go back to when I have doubt setting in.

    Thank you everyone on this page for your strength and honesty. I am 44 days strong

  5. Cinderella 5 years ago

    Shame is a biggie to deal with because it always comes after the act. The fact is, of course, as we all know…. by then, it’s too late!! I believe as the years go by not only does our memories subside but so too do the memories of others. So continually beating ourselves up over these thoughts of our past boozy behaviour really does have a negative impact. Onwards and upwards I say 🙂 Good on you Michelle for sharing with us, it’s all such valuable material that we can take and learn from too. I love that my grandson Ethan can come and visit and his noni is not sitting there with her third or………(you get it)… glass of wine because it’s anything but normal.

  6. Anonymous 5 years ago

    Well done on your 3+ years Michelle. Im 7 months into my journey and I too want to break the alcohol abuse cycle that runs through my family for my child not to grow up in the same environment. Thanks for sharing your story, these stories help me when i feel like giving in.

  7. Poppy 5 years ago

    It’s so important to keep telling our stories. Yours resonates with me on so many levels thanks for your honesty and congrats on 3 plus years! That’s awesome and amazing

  8. JM 5 years ago

    Congrats Michelle on years of sobriety + getting your life back!! Your story shows your strength and grace.

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