13 Days Sober: Starting to Find Serenity

Life feels so good today. It’s hard to believe the difference possible in just 13 days sober. If you are struggling, please somehow find the courage to start your recovery.

After 13 days sober, the physical cravings for alcohol are gone. Your body has completed its natural detox and has launched into repair mode. You brain is starting to heal and slowly return to its normal function.

Congratulations! You have overcome the most intense part of alcohol withdraw and now must learn to overcome the mental addiction to avoid relapse. Recovery is a marathon, not a sprint. That’s why programs like AA 12 Steps and Smart Recovery offer lifelong support.

Today, I’m thinking about the famous Serenity Prayer. Even if you’re not religious, I hope it can encourage you to seek spiritual help to face your addiction. I’m so looking forward to tomorrow’s milestone of two weeks!

God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
Courage to change the things I can,
And wisdom to know the difference.

I also enjoy a pithy rhyme version, created by William Bartley.

For every ailment under the sun
There is a remedy, or there is none;
If there be one, try to find it;
If there be none, never mind it.

I’m on day 13 sober and still no sign of major temptation. I actually passed on a beer just now when visiting some relatives.

Wow. I said no without much thought.

This new mindset has definitely helped. Alcohol has no power if I’m not craving it. I’m not craving it because I just don’t believe the lies anymore.

The will power isn’t an issue today, I just don’t want that stuff messing with my brain again.

I’ve got way bigger problems to deal with.

Does that count as serenity?

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13 Days Sober Again Update: February 2017

There is a good reason this prayer is repeated at so many alcohol recovery groups. It’s a near exact expression of the task we have in recovery.

I’m on day 13 sober again. It’s been good, maybe not 100% the easy way to stop drinking, but it’s so much better this time. Not feeling deprived from alcohol has made a massive difference. I’m convinced in my bones that it’s time to quit and that drinking has nothing left to offer me.

The struggle now is how to put a new life together. That’s where the serenity prayer is all about. I’ve got so much wreckage to clear, but I need to start somewhere.