— early into her sobriety, she realized that she was actually the lucky one. Thanks to an alcohol- and drug-free life, McKowen now feels all of her feelings, no longer has to balance multiple lies, and is fully present with her daughter. In short, she now gets to live an authentic life.

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Effective treatment options are easily accessible and customized to meet the needs of women and the individual challenges they face. To me, sobriety means so much more than not drinking. It’s being accountable for myself, my actions, and my place in this world. It’s living in the present, always aware I have choices to make every day. Sobriety is being intentional with things—my choices, my words, my interactions with others, and the impression I make on people, especially those in early recovery. Everyday, we have choices that we ourselves are responsible for.

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“It’s easy to romanticize how fun drinking will be, but that’s not the full story.” “I do see an addiction counselor every couple of weeks just to keep myself in line, but all in all, I am very happy that I chose to stop drinking forever.” In addition to authoring two books (her second comes out March 2023), McKowen hosts the Tell Me Something True podcast. Sobriety has allowed me to be a full participant in my life. I’ve become reliable, responsible and accountable for my actions. I’ve had more fun and adventure in sobriety than I ever could have dreamed.

• What was meant to be a positive and happy change led to depression, which she self-medicated with drinking, eventually consuming over a bottle of wine a day.
• The stigma surrounding addiction can present a significant barrier to recovery, causing individuals to feel ashamed, isolated, and hesitant to seek help.
• They quickly became friends, bonding over their shared desire for an exciting, outside-the-lines life.
• Speaking with Katie, the first thing you’ll notice about her is her confidence.
• I recollect, even as a preteen, prior to my drinking career, not being able to feel sorrow at my Grandmother’s funeral, forcing myself to cry just to fit in with the family.

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Addiction does not have to be the end of the road — it can actually be a life-changing beginning. Established author, podcast host, and sober midlife coach Kate Baily details her journey to sobriety Sober House Rules: What You Should Know Before Moving In and the lessons she learned. Madeleine Forrest, sober content creator, writer, podcast host, and creator of the Happiest Sober Hub, shares her recovery story. This book is a guide on how to literally be a sober lush. They encourage you to embrace the sober “Irish exit,” leaving the party early to enjoy a starlit stroll home.

• Each milestone attained signifies an opportunity for self-improvement and a reminder of the transformative power of the recovery journey.
• Like most addiction, they’re fueled by shame and the “not enough” gremlins.
• I had no intention of going, however, I wasn’t going to “let him win.” The next day, thinking it was over and resuming my usual drinking pattern, he came home with information about Valley Hope.
• By engaging with a supportive community, individuals can reduce feelings of isolation and loneliness, fostering connections built on empathy, understanding, and compassion.
• The realization of lying and hiding hit me like a bolt of lightning, illuminating the damage drinking alcohol was doing to my life, my mental health, and my relationships.

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It’s a trait that he sharpened while in recovery, and it’s a significant reason why he’s finally found so much success staying sober. My relationship with my wife, both emotionally and physically, was absent. I was unable to participate in any kind of family activity, especially if it interfered with my drinking. My family would watch TV in one room and I would be in another drinking to oblivion. If I watched a movie with the family, it was unlikely I would remember any details of the movie the following morning.

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It was like waking up to a world full of possibilities. I discovered my true identity, one that was not clouded by the haze of alcohol. I experienced a sense of freedom, a new lease on life. It felt like I was finally living the life that was truly aligned with my authentic self. Prior to getting sober, I was kind of just lost.

The journey of recovery from addiction begins with the pivotal steps of acknowledgment and acceptance. These initial stages are vital components that pave the way for healing and growth in individuals addressing addiction. Embracing vulnerability and acknowledging the presence https://yourhealthmagazine.net/article/addiction/sober-houses-rules-that-you-should-follow/ of addiction is the first step towards reclaiming control over one’s life and embarking on a path of recovery. “I came home and I decided to find a therapist for treatment. I told her all of my problems and she said I was an alcoholic.

Acceptance is the subsequent stage that follows acknowledgment, marking the willingness to come to terms with the impact of addiction on one’s life. It entails embracing the truth of the situation, acknowledging personal vulnerabilities, and letting go of resistance towards seeking help and making positive changes. Acceptance empowers individuals to confront their addiction head-on, cultivate self-compassion, and embark on a journey of self-discovery and healing. Acknowledgment serves as a fundamental cornerstone in the recovery process, signifying the recognition of the existence of addiction within oneself. By acknowledging the reality of addiction, individuals break through the barriers of denial and self-deception, opening the door to introspection, self-awareness, and transformation. This step lays the groundwork for seeking help, initiating change, and embarking on a journey towards a healthier, more fulfilling life.

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‘I have highlights and a French manicure, there’s no way I’m an alcoholic. ’ I didn’t know I had this body that worked against me. If I did manage to stop, my mind told me that I could drink like normal people. “I just kept lowering and lowering my standards. When I went to college, it really took off. I joined a sorority, made friends with drug dealers.