Reclaiming Your Life: How to Start Your Journey to Sobriety as a Woman

I recently celebrated 32 years of being alcohol-free on April 5th.

What a miracle!

 First, a lot happens in 32 years.

I have gained and lost. I have survived heartache and heartbreak. I raised my son into a grown man when I didn't think he'd survive past his teens. I became a grandmother and raised my granddaughter for many years -- she is now 21 and has never seen me take a drink. I have worked in numerous grassroots organizations, projects, and programs. I have helped thousands of women. I became a coach. I created a program for women who want to quit drinking and transform their lives -- COMING THIS MAY! I have worked my ass off.

Everything -- and I mean EVERYTHING, has changed.

Inside and out.

I thought life would be so dull.

Little did I know, life had just begun.

The number one thing that amazes me the most is that nothing is what I thought it would be. I thought life would be over—a death sentence. Things couldn't be further from the truth. An entirely new world awaits in the alcohol-free world!

In this article, have outlined six tips on how I have managed to stay alcohol-free for 32 years. I want you to know that I understand how hard it can be to commit to stopping drinking. I have been in your shoes, and I know the struggles that come with addiction. If I can quit, so can you! 

1. Admitting you have a problem. The first step in starting your journey to sobriety is acknowledging the problem. Admitting that alcohol has become a problem in your life is not easy, but it is necessary to move forward. The first step towards reclaiming your life is to understand the impact that alcohol addiction has had on your life. It may have affected your relationships, health, work, and overall well-being.
2. Having a deep desire to quit. Things become much easier when a strong desire to stop exists, and you are no longer engaged in the fight. If you are going back and forth about quitting, I suggest listing all the things you would like to accomplish and have in your life and using that as your motivation. I know that giving up alcohol can be scary, but trust me, the rewards of sobriety are worth it.
3. Making the decision. First, quitting for me was a slow, gradual process. All those years of saying, "This is it," or "Never again," are all part of the change process and the pre-contemplation stage. Something finally clicked for me when I could quit for good, but not until my drinking was completely out of control, and where it was do or die (and why I encourage women to quit drinking sooner rather than later).
4. Reaching out for help. The time I finally quit, the number one thing I did differently, was I reached out for help. It takes a lot of courage to admit that you have a problem, and even more to take action to change your life for the better. If this is you, I want to tell you that you are not alone in this journey. Many women struggle with alcohol addiction, and the road to recovery may seem daunting, but it is not impossible. There is no shame in admitting that you need support, and there is no better time than now to start the journey toward a better life. You are worth it, and there are people who care about you and want to help you on your journey. But you must reach out and take that first step.
5. Committing. For a long time, I thought drinking was my only way to cope with life's challenges. But the truth is, alcohol was only making things worse. Every time I had a drink, I was numbing myself from reality instead of facing my problems head-on. It wasn't until I committed to sobriety that I could start healing. Committing to not drink means that no matter what, alcohol is no longer an option. It means that you are willing to face your problems, no matter how difficult they may be, without the crutch of alcohol. It means you are ready to take control of your life and create a better future for yourself.
6. Being open-minded. Being open-minded is crucial to overcoming alcohol addiction. It's not easy, I know. I had a lot of preconceived notions about what my life would be like without alcohol, and none of them turned out to be true. When you're trapped in the cycle of addiction, all you can think about is the next drink, how to get it, and how not to get caught. It consumes your thoughts and actions, leaving little room for anything else. But being open-minded means admitting you don't have all the answers and being vulnerable enough to seek help.

One of the most important things to remember is that recovery is a journey, not a destination. It takes time, patience, and perseverance to overcome addiction, and there will be setbacks along the way. But with the right mindset and support, you can overcome any obstacle and create the life you deserve.

Remember, you are not alone in this journey. There are so many women out there who are fighting the same battle as you. We may come from different backgrounds and have different stories, but we all share the same pain and hope for a better tomorrow.

So, if you need help quitting drinking, I want to remind you that you can reclaim your life. You are strong, resilient, and deserving of a life filled with joy, purpose, and fulfillment. No matter what challenges come your way, know you can overcome them without alcohol.

Need help dealing with an addiction to alcohol or other drugs? My GendHer® program is for women who want to quit drinking and stay quit. I know that I couldn’t do it alone. My GendHer® program is created with you in mind! COMING MAY2023!!

Click here for more information on my next program enrollment.

Click here for my FREE GUIDE How to Quit Drinking. And Stay Quit.

 If you are thinking about quitting and have been drinking large quantities of alcohol for a significant time, withdrawal symptoms can be life-threatening. Please talk to your doctor and seek medical care as you go through the detox process. It is important to note that addiction may also mask mental health disorders that someone is drinking to self-medicate, such as depression or anxiety.