Challenges of Sobriety and Reclaiming Your Power
We drink to unwind, to celebrate, to cope with emotions, boredom, lack of fulfillment, and so on. Given many of us have drunk for many years, we can think that alcohol is needed in situations and the more we do something, it can become a habit.
If we think alcohol relaxes us, it’s no surprise, that we seek it after a stressful day. However, if we learn about alcohol, we can debunk myths.
Learning to cope without alcohol
Alcohol does provide a major dopamine spike and you do feel initially a little more relaxed. But, alcohol also slows down brain activity. That feeling does disappear, and you’re left with a dump of chemicals. In addition to producing cortisol, alcohol is also a depressant. As a result, it makes us more stressed long-term and gives us the false impression that alcohol is helping.
If you believe you need alcohol in a social situation to feel less anxious, you’re literally saying you can’t cope without alcohol. We’ve assumed alcohol has given us confidence (or, liquid courage). Sadly, these aren’t healthy coping tools and they’re not helpful in the long run.
Being in new social situations can be challenging and uncomfortable. The problem with using alcohol as a crux is that it doesn't provide you with the tools for socializing.
In order to learn how to better cope, you must understand why you drink. Make a list of 5-10 reasons why you drink. This is a non-judgmental list, so you need to first understand your why in order to debunk the myths. I promise you’re amazing without alcohol and don’t let alcohol fool you; it doesn’t make you better at anything.
Stepping out of comfort zone
Changing our identity and getting out of our comfort zone is scary. It can feel easier to do what everyone does. However, that doesn’t mean it’s the best decision long term.
When I stopped drinking, I discovered I was an introvert instead of an extrovert. This meant I needed quiet time to recharge myself. You also might find that you don’t enjoy activities the same as when you were drinking. This isn’t because the alcohol made it better, but because the alcohol made you tolerate outings and people.
You also are now identifying as a nondrinker and that can make you and others uncomfortable. Socializing might be harder for you because we've done drinking and social events with drinking for years. If you think about it, socializing is a bit awkward in the beginning. You ever see a child when they meet a bunch of people; it can be uncomfortable.
Drinking alcohol isn’t an actual coping tool, but so many people rely on it and aren’t aware of it. Trying new hobbies and connecting with other sober people can be extremely beneficial. You now can give yourself permission to dream big and find out who you are without alcohol. It has been said that everything dies in your comfort zone. If you could do anything or improve at anything, what would it be?
I love helping people find their deeper purpose. When I decided to go alcohol-free, change my habits, and create new routines, I had to work a lot on my mindset. This process helped me begin the journey to help others to unlock their full potential. I believe seeking support and building connections can provide the encouragement, guidance, and empathy needed to navigate and sustain personal change.
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Normalizing sobriety and embracing your superpower
Alcohol is normalized and sobriety is viewed as a flaw. Unless you’re viewed as having alcohol use disorder, people think there’s something wrong with you if you don’t drink. I have to say early on in sobriety, I wasn’t comfortable talking about why I went alcohol-free. It took time, but now I view sobriety as a superpower. I tell everyone who asks I don’t drink and normalize being alcohol-free.
I’m proud and want to tell you that we can STOP doing something that is not serving you. If you’re not there yet, it’s okay, there are many different seasons to sobriety. It’s normal to want to break up with alcohol long-term or short-term. It’s a toxin that brings us down and causes stress in our bodies.
Given alcohol is normalized, it can cause us to feel shame if we feel as though we can’t handle it. I suggest reading about alcohol and why it’s not actually good for us. It’ll explain a lot and give you more information to make the best decision for you.
