The Challenges of being Sober

Its been a year and seven months since I decided to stop drinking alcohol . The reason why I choose to be sober, I wasn’t happy with the person I was while being drunk. I was using alcohol as a coping strategy to deal with my depression and anxiety. It’s been a long journey and I am proud of myself for making it this far, but I am battling some challenges of trying to stay sober. Going out with my friends I feel out of place because I’m the only one not drinking. For some reason it causes me to have anxiety. In order for me to have fun and be myself I have to be drunk. When I’m in deep depression and in stressful situations I crave alcohol. I need it to feel numb, to forget about my problems. I am more open about being sober, but I also receive negative and positive responses from people. Some are supportive and some don’t have faith that I can keep going because I was a heavy drinker. What’s been helping me is talking to my counselor. She has taught me without the alcohol I am coping better with my emotions, learning its okay not to drink to have fun and feel more comfortable with myself . I’m a fighter and believe that I can make it through this.