How Your Thoughts May Change in Sobriety
A lot of us believe that quitting drinking is the end and then we just go live a great life. There is a lot of healing that happens in sobriety and it takes time.
Here are some things you may experience when you get sober:
You think about not drinking a lot (sobriety obsession)
This one surprised me the most. I didn’t realize how much time I would spend thinking about not drinking. I thought you just quit drinking and move on. If you have sobriety obsession, then just know it will ease up over time.
You have a powerful desire to help others
Once we break free we want to help others break free. We saw how long it took us to get out of the cycle and how good we feel now that we don’t drink, so we get an urge to help other people however we can. My strong desire to help others and my sobriety obsession turned into my podcast.
You will crave sugar
This is another unexpected thing that happens in sobriety. I never wanted dessert and would willingly pass on it even if it was free on vacation, but once I got sober all I wanted was my dessert. Sugar impacts the brain in a similar way as alcohol does and releasing more dopamine than natural rewards. We can use sugar as a treat, a reward, and a way to cope with emotions.
You will be extra emotional
Even if you didn’t intend to drink to cope, you were numbing and controlling your emotions with alcohol. Without the alcohol, all of these emotions rush back in. It’s normal to feel super angry in sobriety too.
Your brain will try to convince you to drink again
You will have thoughts like “maybe it’s been long enough”, “maybe I wasn’t that bad”, "or “maybe I’m cured now”, but I promise, you’re not cured. Ignore these thoughts. I use them as a sign that I am definitely not cured because a take it or leave it drinker wouldn’t have to bargain with themselves. They just don’t care about alcohol that much.
