Welcome to The (Not) Drinking Diary Series! I’ll be chatting to people on alcohol and on life; about their sobriety, mindful drinking and/or alcohol free period.
Mike is the owner & founder of dating website for alcohol free people Single and Sober (check that out here), he’s been sober for over six years and I found this interview super inspiring.
Read on for his not drinking diary …
Name: Mike (owner and founder of Single and Sober)
Age: 37
Location:Flagstaff, AZ USA
Knowing that I could not just have one drink was what led me to think differently about drinking. I never drank to be social, I drank to get drunk.
I knew very early on in my life that I had an addictive personality and I knew one day the drinking would have to stop completely.
I have been continuously sober from alcohol for over 6 years so I would say my relationship with alcohol is over. I started drinking when I was 15 and stopped when I was 31, it was time for that relationship to end because it was killing my productivity and I was not in control of my thoughts and actions.
As a musician and lover of live music, the hardest thing by far would be concerts and jamming with people who drink. I have to limit these types of activities because I know being around this environment too much could be bad for my health.
I do not have any urge to drink anymore but concerts are where most of my hard partying occurred and it is important for me to be aware of my surroundings and know my limits.
After I quit drinking, I slowly began dropping other bad habits as well. I got a really bad cold a couple months into my sobriety so I finally decided to quit smoking cigarettes. Then my therapist at the time suggested that I stop taking my anxiety medicine. I was very nervous about that. That was truly my last crutch and after a couple of weeks I successfully did that too!
None of this was easy but I convinced myself that I wanted a happier and healthier life and this was the way to achieve it.
I start my day by showing my gratitude. I put my hands into prayer position over my heart and say thank you out loud quietly to the universe.
Expressing my gratefulness is something I always make time for during the day and especially during meals.
Playing my guitar is a ritual for me and I try and play every day even if it is just for 10 or 15 minutes.
My girlfriend just bought a ukulele so jamming with her is my favourite weekend activity right now.
Being mindful in everything I do especially with eating and exercise.
Sometimes I eat too much and sometimes I do not exercise as often as I should. I just try and do my best to keep things in the middle of the road these days!
Playing outdoor pick-up soccer!
If you feel like you have a drinking problem then you absolutely have the power to change that. You have to dig deep and want to change. I used meetings, therapy, friends and family to help me with my drinking problem. I encourage people who are new in sobriety to consider remaining single for at least the first year. Focusing on yourself should be your number 1 priority. Getting sober has completely transformed my life for the better
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