Someone recently talked behind my back: “You know, I’m just really tired of Meredith’s ‘dry drunk’ routine. Who CARES how sober she is?”
My first instinct was: THAT person should care, because clearly they aren’t willing to face their problems.
My next instinct is THIS:
I really, truly don’t care if someone is tired of my ‘dry drunk’ routine. Unfollow me, stop reading. Go somewhere else.
I will NEVER stop sharing what being a sober person means to me, has meant to my life, my children, my career, my health, opportunities, relationships …and my wallet.
That picture was probably at one of the lowest points for me. Not to mention it was taken at “law school prom.” Major LOL.
In the middle of an addiction, we can’t see the other side. We can’t see a way out. We are trapped. We feel hopeless in our current situation: the crushing weight of our own expectations slams us into the reality of our own present failures.
We want to stop, but we also don’t want to stop – because the addiction is filling a need.
We NEED to escape.
We NEED to not be in our own bodies and minds.
We NEED to forget the abuse, the pain, the messes that we have made or are making.
We NEED to get the hell out of our own lives, but we don’t know how.
We NEED to find a new job, life, friend.
We NEED to exercise, to eat better.
We NEED to pay attention to our kids.
But all we can do is pour a drink, because it’s the only thing that stops that vicious list of NEEDS. The list that is so long, so crushing.
The TRUTH of the matter is that being sober STOPPED the cycle of NEEDS. It slowed it down, it alleviated it. Not instantly, but it did–eventually.
Not drinking each day (one minute, one hour and truly #onedayatatime) saved me.
I will continue to tell my “dry drunk” story and put on this “routine.”
Because it saved my effing life. And it can save yours, too, if that’s something you need.
THERE. IS. HOPE.
THERE. IS. BETTER. FOR. YOU.
Even if drinking is not your thing, there might be something else. There might be something else that you need to find a way out of… addiction is not just for weak people. It’s pervasive and real, and a bigger part of our culture than so many of us know.
One year ago I was moved to create a safe place for people who wanted to get out of the cycle. I think it’s been wildly successful and heart-warming and amazing. Anyone is welcome.
You can join our free (and secret) Grateful Sobriety group and meet over three hundred people who will support you, love you, and say “me too” about alcohol and addiction.
We have all been there. We are all over the big hurdle, or are working towards it–every single day.
#YouGotThis #WeGotYou #EveryDay
(If you don’t want to join a group, but you want to reach out… just contact me.)
100% Agree! Don’t stop sharing! So many people need to hear this and we need to talk about this. Addiction is real. We cannot help people if we do not talk about this and make it ok to talk about. Thank you for all you do to share with the world.
Please know that for every negative comment there will be 10 positive comments and for every positive comment there are 100 silent people out here who are inspired by your story. Alcoholism runs on both sides of my family and cautionary tales like yours help to make me realize that I need to watch my relationship with alcohol and it also gives me hope that my family members will be able to see their way out. Much, much love.
Following you over the years have helped me stay sober and to keep moving forward….thanks
Don’t stop; you never know how many you might help. I have a friend that needed to hear it but she didn’t want to stop drinking. Now she is in the hospital dying. Continue each day, it is worth it.
I can think of one word for you…..inspiration. There are so many people that need to hear the honesty from you. Haters will always hate. You are on the high road in life. I know your Grandmother is smiling down on you. March on!