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eric's avatar

"But what lives below the dysfunctional relationship to ANY substance or behaviour that impacts your state, is the desire to feel differently than you feel." -Great explanation!

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Hannah's avatar

Love this. Very timely for me as I recently made the decision to get sober in order to reconnect with myself. Years of therapy and personal growth have helped me to have the tools I need to navigate the feelings I was numbing with alcohol.

So far as a result I’m experiencing more connection with others in alignment with who I want to continue to grow to be. I feel like for the first time I’m taking this seriously (and having fun with it!). 🪷

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Mark Groves's avatar

Congratulations!! This is incredible!

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Meghan Swidler's avatar

4 years in…never looking back.

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Mark Groves's avatar

Congrats!!

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Nicola Geismar's avatar

Stopped in January and it’s going well so far!

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Mark Groves's avatar

Congrats! That’s amazing. What’s been the best part?

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Dana Leigh Lyons's avatar

Such a great share, Mark.

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Mark Groves's avatar

Thanks Dana!

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Sae Abiola's avatar

Thank you for sharing this amazing piece.

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Mark Groves's avatar

You’re so welcome!

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Monica M. Posada's avatar

Beyond sharing this, thank you for following your intuition and choosing to live in alignment - it takes courage to walk the talk. And as far as sobriety, it truly is the greatest gift and act of self love 💜

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Mark Groves's avatar

Thanks for reading and supporting!

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Deborah Healey's avatar

Alcohol is never good for the soul.. Find strength compassion for others growth strength and faith in ourselves..Don't stay stuck.. Our path is for knowledge of who we are, for kindness and support this. All understand, of the diversity and let it go. Peacefully.

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Hege Kristoffersen's avatar

I am rare in that I have never drunk alcohol, never been drunk and never enjoyed the taste of alcohol. I’ve abstained mostly for health reasons. Was always the odd one out and now society is finally catching up! Being alcohol free is great for your health and well-being! ✨

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Mark Groves's avatar

Well you’re only missing an escape from consciousness awareness!

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Julie  Elvick's avatar

Definitely a years-long process - at least for me - someone who’s been using alcohol since I was 10 and who just completed my 57th year (with so much gratitude) on planet Earth. I would add that, although I am discovering that some of my reasons for numbing are different from yours, the truth is that numbing from pain, constant overthinking, from a feeling of complete lack of agency in my own life, compounded by the feeling of shame and self-deprecation that comes from thinking you can/should be doing better has definitely been the point of my ongoing relationship with alcohol. Thankfully, this human is now proving to herself (with support) that a different reality/different behavior/better coping strategies are possible and that a steady flow of small delights can become the norm when you look inward and find ways to heal yourself. Thank you for bringing this to light.

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Mark Groves's avatar

These are profound realizations that will only different as your journey into sobriety continues!

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Jorge's avatar

Great writing until you invited me to a podcast.

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Mark Groves's avatar

Yes... god forbid I share a link to a podcast I recorded on the subject that is relevant to the article and often appeals to different learning types. 🙄

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