How I Stayed Sober for 100 Days

4 things I did differently

Hi, my name is Patty, and I do not label myself as an alcoholic. I never got a DUI, nor was I arrested for being drunk in public, but I did drink daily for a lot of my life. For a while, it was ok. It’s the party life I wanted. But after a while, it became a lifestyle. A glass of wine to cook dinner, another before the family got home, pour one with food, look at the bottle and think, might as well finish this off. Our culture embraces a drink at social gatherings of all kinds: concerts, community events, backyard barbeques, and even kid’s birthday parties. So, I know I am not alone with the habit of drinking.

There were signs that my body was screaming for a break. Sometimes I would listen. I would only drink on the weekends. This would inevitably lead to opening a bottle on hump day. I would try dry January, pacts with friends, and white-knuckling it. I felt like alcohol had control over me, not me over it, each time. I felt like a failure because I couldn’t do what I said I would. I always caved with my own set of rules.

And yet, as I write this, I have been alcohol-free for over 100 days. How did I do it?

Four Things I Did Differently

1. Paid money for support.

I have tried limiting my drinking to specific events, but nothing worked long term. I was to the point of looking at rehabs, but still, I didn’t feel like an alcoholic, nor did I ever want to be labeled one. I remembered that Sober Sis lady I almost signed up for a year before but didn’t because of the cost. She popped up on my feed and thought, well, I guess it’s time to try something different. I signed up and grudgingly paid the money. Since I paid money, I might as well show up like I was paying for school! So glad I did.

2. I learned all I could about alcohol.

Like, on the daily. I read books, listened to podcasts, and subscribed to people further along the journey. I learned as much as I could and wrote about what I was learning in my journal. Like the author of This Side of Alcohol, Peggi Cooney, I studied how to be sober like it was my master’s degree. And I loved it! I still do! When we keep learning about something, it stays at the forefront of our lives, and we can continue to make choices based on what we are learning. Did you know that the drink you think is making you relax is actually the same stuff we put in gasoline? It’s kinda yucky to think about.

3. I met with my support group daily.

This is the most important thing about my sobriety. I leaned into my support group, and now I have 13 awesome friends! We still check in daily with each other. This is crucial to my sobriety because I suddenly didn’t feel alone anymore. As we all shared our stories, the weight began to lift. I was able to start embracing who I am in a safe place. It means the world to me.

4. Quit the back and forth about drinking or not drinking.

We can be so Shakespearean! To drink or not to drink? Can I moderate? It’s been enough time. Why not have just one? By harboring these questions, I continued to let alcohol have power over me. With some distance from my last drink, I realized that I had played that game for years. Each time I chose to break my streak, I would end right back in the drinking cycle. After realizing this, I made the decision to just say no. I won’t be having another drink. I don’t really want to anymore with all that I have learned. The desire is fading.

Conclusion

I have the experience of what daily drinking is like in my life. I am now embracing the new journey of what sober living affords. It wasn’t easy to get here, writing this article alcohol-free. However, after paying for support, continuously learning about the effects of alcohol, discussing insights with my support group, and letting go of the contemplation of just having one, I am happy to say that I have over 100 days without a drink under my belt. And it’s making a whole world of difference.

DISCLAIMER: Some of these links may be affiliate links. This means that I receive a small commission when you purchase. Also, I am an educator, not a medical professional or a licensed counselor. If you have concerns about alcoholism and/or trauma related healing, including mental health concerns please seek help from the appropriate professional.

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