No Limits, No Regrets, No Alcohol
By Adrienne Kaliszak
While I could blame the fact I drank and smoked on my adoption, molestation/rape, mental illness, the fact my parents drank or a myriad of other reasons, the truth is I was the one who picked up that first drink.
Yes, I was young when I did so, just 12 years old, but it was still me that decided to pick up that drink at 12.
I didn’t realize when I did this it would lead to a lifelong love affair with a dark and dangerous mistress.
If I did, would I have avoided her?
I don’t think so, her lure was too appealing.
She was inundated in the very fabric of my life and society.
It was the norm for the days of my era.
Do I regret that I picked up that first cigarette and drank?
Sometimes. Some days more than others.
But then I think, If I never smoked that first cigarette or drank that first drink, I wouldn’t know the sweet taste of freedom and love for the life I have now. I wouldn’t feel the deep gratitude as a result of breaking free from those mind-altering, life taking, disdainful substances.
I wouldn’t have had so many doors open up to me from getting free from alcohol. I wouldn’t be able to assist, support, and relate to others who have struggled with addiction.
If I never picked up those substances, I may not have met my current husband or had my beautiful daughters.
One change in events alters the course of history, so they say, and I believe this wholeheartedly.
So no, no regrets for having that first cigarette or first drink. Life happened the way it was meant to happen and here I am now doing better than I could have dreamed.
I still have things come up now and then, who doesn’t? But I am a more grounded person than I was 4 years ago, and I have hope and a purpose. When I drank and smoked, I had no hope, and my purpose was getting as drunk as possible whenever I could.
I feel I am extremely fortunate to have made my way out of that alcohol and smoke induced haze. Not everyone gets a second chance, and I am so grateful for mine.
I was able to get alcohol and smoking behind me through community, hard but fun work, commitment, education, and perseverance and of course a loving God that never left my side.
My sobriety is so very precious to me, and I’ll do whatever it takes to keep it, including avoiding certain stomping grounds where I would get alcohol and cigarettes, as well as changing how I celebrate special events, and take precautions before going on vacation and other activities that fuels my desire to drink and/or smoke.
I don’t think I’m better than anyone else. I am not some perfect person who looks down on others who still smoke or drink. In fact, I have compassion for others in that situation and I’m willing to help anyone who struggles with those addictions, if they want help that is.
I am more than my past addictions though. I am a wife, a mother, an artist, a writer, a daughter, a friend, a lover of all animals. I can be goofy, serious, kind, gentle, loving, and fierce.
I am proud of the woman I am today, flaws and all, I like who I am most days and I couldn’t always say that.
Gaining freedom from addictive substances can be challenging but it’s not impossible. Many people besides me have overcome some of the most difficult substances, including heroin. I have 2 acquaintances that overcame heroin addiction and one of their goals now is helping others do the same.
You may need to see a doctor or go into rehab to overcome your addiction, but believe me once you do, you’ll experience a life greater than the greatest high.
Getting sober is just the tip of the iceberg though, with commitment and diligence you can create a life for yourself you’ve only imagined in your wildest dreams. The skies are the limit to direct your life to a place you’ve always longed to be.
Don’t put limits on yourself, grab the bull by the horns and reach for the stars. There’s a beautiful life just waiting for you to join in on the fun.
'Your windshield is bigger than your rearview for a reason; the mirror is there to help you glance back at where you’ve been, but if you focus too much on it, you’re going to crash.
We are ALL affected by our past and we are ALL reminded of it now and again, but we cannot live in it unless we want to repeat it over and over again. We need to learn from it, take lessons from it, know what’s good (and not good) for us, and adjust accordingly. Mistakes are only mistakes until we learn from them and then they become lessons.'
Love this from the Your Tango blog, it sums up the need for a forward focused growth mindset in sobriety and life in general.
#keepmovingforward #positivequotes #positivity #yourtango #growthmindset #growthquotes #motivationalquotes #motivation #soberquotes #sobrietyquotes #lookforwardnotback #leavethepastbehind #movingforward #quotestagram #selfhelpquotes #positivemindset
Having an amazing time in #Japan and managed to head south out of Tokyo for a few days today to Kamakura by the ocean.
The drinking culture here is totally different to the UK, but all the bars are full, not many AF options either, but I wouldn’t want to visit such an amazing place and spoil it by boozing.
#tokyo #kamakura #tokyonight #tokyoneon #kamakuratemple #japaneseshrine #buddhisttemple #japantravel #tokyotrip #ramen #japaneseculture #japanlife
Wow! Rock Bottom & Rising has won the GOLD medal at the @nautilusbookawards for the best Addiction Recovery Memoir.
The book has 21 incredible stories by real people who have quit alcohol and turned their lives around, it is a truly inspirational read.
So this award is for everyone who contributed to the book, congratulations and thank you!
#bestbooks #nautilusbookaward #nautilusbookawards #nautilusbookawardwinner #sheldonpress #hatchettebookgroup #hodderandstoughton #addictionbooks #adictionmemoir #alcoholbooks #sobrietybooks #soberbooks
Woohoo! Just seen one of my books on the shelf @theworksstores #anxiety #anxietybook #theworks #bookshop #selfhelpbook #bookstore
Just finished recording a piece with @itvnews about the growing number of people quitting alcohol and the sobriety movement as a whole.
It airs next week, so look out for my shiny head on your TV screens.
#itv #sobriety #itvnews #sobermovement #sobercoach #tvinterview #newsstory #alcoholfree #soberlife #sobrietyrules
These two inspiring books from leading sobriety coach Simon Chapple are out today!
Read more...Repost @sheldon.press
Featuring contributions from some of the most well-known personalities in the Sober Space, Rock Bottom and Rising brings us real, raw, relatable stories from individuals who’ve found joy in an alcohol-free life.
The perfect companion to Rock Bottom – The Sober Life Journal captures the essence of journaling and provides space to grow and develop as you embark on a sober life. With hundreds of writing prompts, pages for reflection, focus, inspiration and guided exercises, this beautiful new journal supports your intention to create something lasting and meaningful to accompany you on your journey to an alcohol-free life.
Ideal for anyone contemplating a sober life come the new year, or from #dryjanuary.
Find out more in our bio.
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#RockBottomandRising #SoberLife #Sober #SobrietyCoach #Sobriety #StopDrinking #Freefromalcohol #AlcoholFree #SoberBook #SimonChapple #BeSober #Howtogosober #quittingalcohol #teetotaller #teetotal #alcoholism #aa #cutdown #alcoholic #thisnakedmind #addiction #problemdrinking #soberjourney
Watch the best videos from my YouTube Stop Drinking Channel
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