Are you having difficulties in your relationship with alcohol? Do you wish you could stop drinking – or even take a break for a while – but you’re finding it a struggle? If so, Sobernauts is for you.
I’ve been there and I’ve definitely got the T-shirt. I reset my relationship with alcohol on 1 January, 2018 when I embarked on a journey of: ‘A Year, Probably More, Off Alcohol’.
I hit Day 2,030 on 24 July, 2023.
I'm not a doctor, but I have considerable real world experience and I've started gathering the lessons I learned along the way with the intention of sharing them here. I’m a former moderator of Reddit’s 440,000+ strong r/stopdrinkingr/stopdrinking community, so I have considerable experience of helping others.
I know right now it might not seem possible, but you can get your life back on track and it will save you a fortune in the process.
Sobernauts offers access to a toolkit – that’s built from experience – that will help you get things under control. I’ve been there and I know what it’s like. The advice I’m sharing has worked for me (and still does: 2,030 days and counting!).
First things first, there’s only one person you can do this for and that’s you.
I’ve given up a lot of unhealthy things in my life and one thing‘s been common to every single one of them: I can only give up – or even press pause – if I’m doing it for myself.
With that out of the way, there are doubtless other reasons you’ve decided now’s the time to stop. Write them down.
Over the coming days and weeks, you’ll find yourself returning to this list often. It will help to keep you focused. If you’re anything like me, and temptation has a tendency to get the better of you, your list will help you.
I found it helped to reflect on this list at the start of the day, every day. It kept me focused before I embarked on the day ahead.
I remember when I embarked on the most important journey of my life on 1 January, 2018. Eternity stretched out ahead of me. The magnitude of the journey I was about to embark on was overwhelming.
I couldn’t allow myself to entertain the thought that I might be calling it quits – as far as alcohol was concerned – forever, so I settled on the goal of ‘A Year, Probably More, Off Alcohol’.
I remember the beginning of the journey and it was a challenge. Instead of thinking of the vastness of time stretching out ahead, I broke the time down into smaller milestones. This might sound ridiculous, but it helped me hugely.
I made up all sorts of crazy mini milestones just to keep myself focused:
Looking back it was nuts, every day was a milestone! But, for me, I was building a system that would just get me through the days.
I’m working on this list adding to it in the evenings so check back from time to time or drop me a line (my email address is right at the top of the page). I’ll close with a couple of thoughts.
You’ve got this my friend. We’ve got this! Together. I’ll never forget how many people were here for me in the early days and I’m here for you, as is everyone!
Stay positive and, as we say at r/stopdrinking: I will not drink with you today. Stay strong.
—Chris
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