Hi ladies, I celebrated my third year of sobriety on May 21st.
I've struggled with anxiety since early childhood. Started drinking at age 12, was a binge drinker by 15 and a "functional" alcoholic by age 25. My body and mind were deteriorating with each bottle but addiction had me fooled into thinking that I was a normal single woman. Finally I woke one morning, 41 years old, with such overwhelming anxiety, regret and physically shaking like a leaf (not uncommon during the last couple years of my drinking). I was dreadfully ill and terrified. I went to the hospital and was admitted/medicated for 5 days before I was stable enough to even look into a rehab facility. The doctors told me that I could have died if I tried to stop without medication. My body didn't know how to function without this poison anymore.
I write about this because I know firsthand that addiction will come and find you if your soul is vulnerable to it. Be it via drink, drug, food, sex, etc. I'd been diagnosed years before with Binge Eating Disorder:
Binge Eating Disorder but after giving up alcohol, my addiction found a powerful new life in food. I'd never had a sweet-tooth before, I quickly realized that this was because I was drinking copious amounts of sugar in my booze every day. Suddenly I couldn't get enough sweets. Giant bags of candy, cartons of ice cream, entire pies... I gained 40 pounds that first 3 months.
About a year before I decided on surgery, I began meditating and searching for peace outside of my compulsive thoughts. I continue to work hard every day to detach myself from my cravings. I'll always be susceptible to addiction but as long as I'm on the offensive and recognize that, I hope for continued success with quieting urges. Thanks for listening.