If you Google terms like Dry January or Sober Curious, you will find dozens of articles showing the positive effects of sobriety. You will probably even see a few mocktail recipes along the way. While not everyone considers themselves an addict, it is clear that more individuals are considering the benefits of living alcohol-free.
Choosing not to drink, even for a short time, can lead to better health, clearer thinking, and more energy. Life beyond the bottle is a pathway to living your best life, alcohol-free. The Sober Curious movement is about rethinking why and how we drink and seeing the positive impact of less or no alcohol. Whether it is trying a month without alcohol or embracing sobriety longer-term, people are finding freedom and joy in life without it.
In this episode of Positive Recovery MD, Dr. Jason Powers and Julie DeNofa chat with Tricia Lewis about the deeper issues behind alcohol, understanding why we drink, and how to shift our focus to the things in life that bring us the most joy.
Get to know our guest
Tricia Lewis is the creator and host of the now-archived Recovery Happy Hour Podcast. The podcast celebrated inspiring stories of recovery from alcohol addiction and gray-area alcohol abuse, as well as what is current in the culture of sobriety and what life looks like beyond the bottle.
For years, Tricia was emotionally and physically addicted to alcohol but was really good at making it look like she did not have a problem. After taking her last drink in November of 2016, Tricia has never looked back and now leads a life without alcohol while helping others achieve the same.
Overcoming FOMO and living our best, sober lives
For Tricia, life without alcohol has been so much better than she ever could have imagined. But it was not always like this. Before taking her last sip, Tricia shared that year after year, she constantly felt like she was missing out on experiences if she was not drinking alcohol.
FOMO is often fueled by peer pressure, trapping us into thinking that our friends are having more fun without us or that we are robbing ourselves of joy. But this could not be further from the truth.
The fear of missing out is what keeps so many of us from ever giving it a solid chance. That fear is the biggest liar, and it wasted so much of my time.
Sobriety, contrary to perpetuating a sense of loss, opens the door to authentic experiences and connections unclouded by the haze of alcohol. With a sober mind, we can see that true joy and fulfillment come from within, not external sources. Overcoming the lies of FOMO allows us to live our best, sober lives filled with personal growth, improved relationships, and deeper engagement. Abstaining from alcohol is not deprivation. It is liberation.
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Making the conscious choice to surrender alcohol
We all have a different journey when it comes to addiction recovery. Our paths leading up to these shared experiences are unique to our own circumstances. A common misconception is that recovery only happens when we hit rock bottom. While many of us have experienced various forms of trauma, such as the sudden loss of a loved one or a major life change that led to addiction, not all of us have a rock bottom moment.
The biggest struggle was not just putting the bottle down. It was whether or not I even should. We are sold this image that you have to hit this rock bottom, but that is not my story, and it probably is not a lot of other people's story either.
Like Tricia, choosing life beyond the bottle can look like choosing not to experience those rock bottom moments. It is a conscious choice to surrender alcohol because you do not want it to take over your life before it gets to that point.
Why accountability matters
According to Tricia, accountability is everything when it comes to recovery. While choosing a life in recovery is 100 percent possible, we cannot do it alone. When trying to take on a heavy load like quitting alcohol by ourselves, we can easily talk ourselves out of it by coming up with excuses of why it will not work or why it feels impossible.
Having accountability makes recovery real and makes it a lot harder to change your mind. I knew that if I did not start telling people, I was going to talk myself out of it again.
Having a solid support system makes it easier for us to remember our why when enduring bouts of anxiety or stress. It helps us remember why we chose to live a life free from substance use and who we are doing it for, ourselves and our loved ones. When we have people who speak truth and wisdom, guided through love, it holds us accountable for our actions.
It is not about making one feel bad about themselves but for them to take an honest look at their situation and take ownership. While the truth may not always look pretty, it always guides us back to our most authentic selves.
Connect with Tricia
One of the most important things to remember when choosing sobriety is that our life does not end, it only truly begins. In Tricia's words: remember that life does not end after you break up with alcohol. There is life beyond the bottle, and it is a life worth living.
If you or someone you love is struggling with alcohol use, our team at Positive Recovery Centers is here to help. Learn more about our alcohol addiction programs and medical detox options, or call us at 713-904-4699 for a confidential conversation.
A new life in recovery may just be a phone call away.