My Alcohol-Free Journey: How I Ended Up Sober At 20
Вставка
- Опубліковано 6 лип 2024
- Please be kind, as long-form content is not my forte...but numerous people asked for a longer video about this topic, so here we are!
You can find more about my alcohol-free journey here: lifetobecontinued.com/
#sobriety #recovery #soberlife #alcoholfree #alcoholfreelifestyle
TIMESTAMPS
00:00 Intro
00:59 The Beginning
06:54 The Middle
11:35 The Turning Point
13:53 The Aftermath
I love hearing peoples journey on becoming alcohol-free or sober or whatever it looks like for them. I really liked the quote “an alcoholic is anyone whose life gets better without alcohol”, it’s simple and inclusive. Thank you for sharing
Hi Beth! I met you when you studied in Chile, I always remember you , such a smart, brave and strong young lady! Love to folllow you and see the person you have become!
Omg HI! I totally remember you. I appreciate this so much and am so grateful to everyone who made my time in chile what it was.
❤
Seek the Lord Jesus Christ while he may be found everyone. Be Holy as God is Holy everyone.Sin shortens life, because of our sins we are separated from God. Everyone have an expiration date and this world have an expiration date.There is nothing in this world worth going to hellfire for, depart from worldliness everyone. It's NOT about religion/denomination, it's about a relationship with Jesus Christ by praying everyday, reading the Bible everyday, believe the gospel, While you are still alive repent of all of your sins and be born again. Rapture is imminent, do not be left behind. Jesus Christ is coming back everyone, get yourselves ready. This WORLD is TEMPORARY and HEAVEN is PERMANENT, Choose wisely everyone.,
Lop
L
P
P
L@@MaryLovesJesus
@@lisamanuele5069l
I want you to know, as a stranger that has never met you. I respect and admire your honesty and courage to share your journey. My own mother suffered from alcoholism and I've been estranged from her for over 10 years at this point. I never got this kind of accounting from her. Hearing your words is healing to me, in an odd way. So thank you, and much love.
I cannot believe drinking has become so normalized. Alcohol is a harmful DRUG. I’m so proud of how far you’ve come.
It's always stood out to me that people demonize marijuana but alcohol is so easily accessible. Alcohol is much more dangerous. It impairs judgement and coordination far more than weed could dream of doing, it's chemically addictive, withdrawal from alcohol can and will kill someone
@@s4di.3I COMPLETELY agree. I personally am abstinent from all drugs and substances. But in my own personal opinion, I believe alcohol is more harmful than mushrooms or acid. Psychedelics are even safer. So why is alcohol and cigarettes legal and so easy to access but natural substances like marijuana and mushrooms are illegal? It never made sense to me.
We love coop. But it’s nice to hear about you. You’re litterly my favorite content creator and you also are just a really kind person I know a lot of people who are proud of you and your recovery is harwarming and inspiring ❤
This means so much to me.
Testify, sis ❤!!!! Having a child born with a "disability" is a journey that many couldn't go on while in recovery, so staying sober through all of that is genuinely amazing. Tell Coop and the chickens we say hello ☺️!!!
Hahaha
"Coop & the chickens'.... So funny 😂
Thank you for sharing. Listening to you talk about how alcohol helped you let your guard down and feel less self aware after hearing you speak about your anxiety and depression in the same ways I struggle with my own mental health, truly encapsulated why I have never let myself indulge in alcohol. I know that I will love the freedom it gives me. And I know I would struggle with letting it go, if it didn't destroy me first.
Love your heart, Beth.
Hi Beth, I’m 21 and I’ve struggled with drug and alcohol addiction. I resonated with you when you mentioned losing memory of entire chunks of time. I’m still struggling with getting sober, but your story really spoke to me
You got this!
I love that you shared this. I had a similar journey but never went to outpatient therapy or any specific program. You’re right, kids start drinking in college and it gets out of hand. I used to be so proud that I had never blacked out… and then it started happening every time I drank. I used alcohol as a crutch for my social anxiety, but it made it so much worse when I woke up the next morning and remembered or was told of all the stupid shit I said or did. Now, I rarely drink and when I do, it’s a glass or two of wine at dinner on special occasions. So many people experience this. I’m glad you shared.
So glad to hear you related and made the changes you needed to!
You and your son are amazing! You have my support. ❤Thanks!
This hits pretty close to home. Had to stop watching about halfway through because it was too much for me, but I still wanted to commend you on your courage and resilience. Alcoholism is one of the hardest addictions to overcome and anyone who can accomplish that has my utmost respect.
Thank you for watching as much as you did and for the kindness.
As hard as it can be, I encourage you to finish her story... The first half did get rough, but it's the end that truly brings inspiration. I think the ones listening to THIS story are the ones that this situation hits close to home. To understand the hardships of addiction, you have to experience it, whether it's you or someone you care deeply about. You don't want to hear about the struggles because it hits too close to home, but if you keep going, you may be able to use her strength and techniques to ensure whatever is hitting too close to home gets notified that you moved out and those demons won't find you there anymore. Like a whole plot twist to "your princess is in another castle". I promise that when you feel like you've never been weaker, you're actually the strongest you've ever had to be. Keep going ❤️
Beth I can’t tell you how much I appreciate this. I just got out of Hazelden in March. I was in DiaLinn. I am in IOP currently. I had to do a usage history like this twice. So I know how vulnerable you have to get. I remember a few months ago watching your videos and wishing I could be healthy and happy and active like you. Come to find out we have this in common. My life is so much better and I’m happier than I’ve ever been. Thank you for sharing your journey ❤
Beth, you're an inspiration; your strength shines through. And hello to Coop, and the chickens.
Thank you for sharing this very difficult part of your life. You never know who you may have helped sharing your stories! Even though I don't know you personally, I am so proud of you. It takes great strength and courage to endure through all of what you've been through. 💕
I've never heard your story in full like this before, and I'm so so so proud of you. I can only imagine how difficult it was to live like that and especially dealing with the results of that. I"m so happy that you're in a better place now.
Thank you for sharing your story! No point in ever taking the risk again! Enjoy life!!💗
Proud of you. My dad gave me 33 years of sobriety. He allows me to growth in a free alcohol enviroment and I am thankfull for that. Thanks for sharing your story!. Keep your sobriety one day at the time.
What a great story of recovery Beth. Thank You for being brave enough to share, not only this story but your "mom story" about raising Coop too. He's such a fun, smart, loving boy & I'm sure part of that comes from you & your husbands parenting. Continued blessings. ❤
Kudos to you for sharing your story so others can get on road to getting better or heal on their own journey! That took guts and lots of courage ❤. Even if you only helped one person which I’m undoubtedly sure you’ve helped way more than that you have genuinely helped someone else at a place in their lives when they need it most. Thank you for being so vulnerable and honest and real
Thank you for having the courage to take on such a personal & sensitive subject with so much grace & honesty. I’ve been clean & sober for over 9yrs now, & you did such a good job of explaining the intricacies of addiction & the feelings of chaos & grief that go with it. I’m so proud of your growth, sending love to you & Coop. ❤
Brave and courageous. You and Coop together make my day! Love from 🇬🇧
Thank you so much for sharing this!!! You’re helping more people than you know!!! People already appreciate and respect you so much and this just adds to that appreciation and respect!!! Thank you for being you!
Thankyou for sharing. I have a big history with alcohol and people dont realise just how easy it is to become dependant on it. Im so proud of you. It shows just how strong you really are.
I’m so so proud of you , you are an amazing mother and wife sending so many hugs and prayers and love from the uk 🇬🇧
Thank you for sharing your journey from your dance with alcohol to becoming alcohol-free.
It probably gives you an interesting perspective of what really matters in life and what does not.
Your vlogs with Coop are real and show all sides of raising a child.
Cooper's lack of hearing without his ears doesn't mean he isn't listening to you.
You are an outstanding mom.❤
Oh wow, such an incredible story Beth. Thank you so much for sharing. So glad you are in a good place now.
Thank you for sharing your story! Always remember YOU ARE NOT YOUR PAST. ❤❤
But in a way we are our past! It's shaped me into this person today and I wouldn't change it.
You are such an inspiration Beth! You turned that mess into a message… your message! That’s the best therapy! It’s such a healing agent! I have my story that I am loud about because I don’t want people to have to go through what I went through and the person I became. I am so grateful that God wasn’t finished with me yet and that I can use my voice for good! So proud of you! ❤🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
so brave to share this and even more impressive to be such a young person making this change and accepting the help from the people around you who cared for and loved you and wanted you to get better. way to go!
Thank you for this, I needed to hear it. I’m 27 and worry I have started drinking a lot more and I am working to cut back and stop for a while. Your comment that it is hard to get sober when you’re young really spoke to me because it has been but I have faith in god that he will bring me through and I will be become stronger.❤
Thank you for your vulnerability, Beth . Much love to you ❤️
I truly appreciate you sharing your story even if it touches one person that's another life saved from addiction.
i am soooo proud of you for sharing your story!!!!
So proud of you for this journey FIRST
Thanks for sharing! I watch Coop often- he makes me smile a lot. Thanks for sharing - I struggle with many similar issues.
Thank you SO much for sharing your story!
Thank you so much for sharing your story! I admire your honesty, grace & courage!
As a recovery specialist & someone who is 11 years clean who went from opiates from the dr to H. I'm proud of you! You're doing this & that's how I personally relate to you.
I don't have kids but coop makes my day, every time i see his little face pop up on my timeline & I appreciate that you share him.
You're doing wonderful Beth. Keep on going 🤷🏼♀️💯
Hi Beth: Great to see and hear you! I ran across your site months ago and have watched how you have taken on the parental challenge of the adorable Coop and his hearing loss with such patience (most of the time !) and grace. I started drinking young, moved out of my home when I was 19 and moved in to NYC -- worked full time -- went to school at night -- and wound up with a rugby player boyfriend from the UK and lots of drinking. I came into sober recovery with all of the externals -- good job, wealthy boyfriend, great clothes, apartment with partying roommates --- as the alternative to flinging myself off of my 10th floor terrace due to -- what I now know was -- alcohol withdrawal. And like you I had blackouts which is a sign post for the disease of alcoholism. Because I came into recovery young I had a very hard time identifying with people who were decades older than I was -- but they did their best to help me and certainly supported my efforts. I finally understood that I could define my alcohol addiction as : I was not in trouble every time I drank -- but when I was in trouble it was because I had been drinking. That definition has stayed with me throughout my recovery. And I continue to live a great life -- that is --- essentially a life lived on borrowed time from the day I asked for help over following through and jumping from my terrace. I do my best every day to live that gift of life.
I wish you the very best going forward -- everyone has their own path in recovery. I have chosen to stay in the recovery rooms and don't feel it necessary to explain or justify it. I continue to help those who are having difficulty and continue my own personal recovery journey. If you do reach a point where you feel you need additional support with in-person meetings - you know exactly where to go and what to do -- but that is strictly up to you and no one else. Looking forward to more of your videos. Cheers !
Sober Recovery Date: December 23, 1978 with gratitude.
You go girl💪🏼
You do you and keep being brave!
Love from California🏔️🌲🌧️🩵
So Proud of You..Thank You for sharing ❤
So proud of you! Thank you for sharing your story. ❤
So proud of you for getting sober ❤ Thank you for sharing your story with us❤
Yes proud of u. So cool willing to share
I loved when you said, "I don't care enough to find out" in regards to trying a drink again. That's such a great perspective!
You are special and I really appreciate hearing your story!
Thank you for sharing your journey. I can relate to the undercurrent of anxiety and depression you felt. I was the same way. I’m sure if I could have ever tolerated the taste of alcohol I would have ended up as an alcoholic. I have a brother that died at the age of 43 from the effects of years of drinking. I remember telling him that I wished he would stop for his own well being but I would love him regardless of whether he stopped or not. Our family was judgemental and unkind to him. I often wonder if there was more support, like you had, would he have had the ability to turn his life around. You come across as such a loving, kind soul. The little insights into your life are so uplifting.
You're a so interesting woman and I think a lot people like to hear about you, your journey and your thoughts. You selfmedicated yourself and I hope you have made your peace with your past self, she didn't knew other ways to cope with anxiety and depression. It's tragic, nothing to be ashamed about (easy said)... I hope the world gave you better ways to cope in times you need them. Thank you for sharing and inhale the tons of love you get for speaking up, I'm sure you touched even more hearts and similar stories that you will heard of or people can convey...
(P.S.: And it's really not about age or how long someone's drinking. That's not what it is about.)
I went through a lot as a kid and teenager. Got sent away from home etc. Started drinking way too much from age 16. Had a very scary incident involving alcohol when I was almost 18. Haven't touched alcohol since. That was - more than 16,5 years ago. Sad part is i still miss it like crazy. Thank you for sharing. And thank you for all the content you put out. I have no idea how I ended up here - but I'm really glad I did 😊
I hope you’re able to continue on a sober path despite ‘missing it like crazy’. That’s the insidious part of the disease, and I applaud you for all your years being clean 💪🏾
I was addicted to opioids for many years and finally got clean five years ago. I love sobriety but I do admit that sometimes I miss the feeling of happiness and the euphoria it gave me. Especially when I'm sad or deal with something trauma related. I just want to numb. But I would rather deal with any pain in this world than the pain of addiction. I applaud you for getting sober and having the strength of admitting you sometimes miss it. You are definitely not alone. Just know that. Keep up the amazing work and never give up my friend!
Vulnerability is beautiful. ❤❤
Thank you, Beth.
Much love and respect, for sharing. There was alcohol abuse all around me, in previous years. No, alcohol was not a problem for me, because I had seen and heard of the damage it had done to others lives. It’s the most legal drug, and so available, for people to abuse! You spoke of being a different person, when you drank. And that’s so true. I hate what it can turn people and relationships into. Such sadness and damage.
Rejoicing with you for your sobriety, and giving God the Glory; for He gives strength, even if we aren’t aware! Amen! 🙏🧡🙏🧡🙏🧡
So Brave to open up & share your journey with us.
I relate so much to your story ! Thanks for sharing ❤
Very brave of you to share this aspect of your life.
Sometimes I watch a creator and I’m just drawn to them, I thought it was because we both have deaf/Deaf/hoh children. This makes even more sense. I just celebrated 29 years sober, literally yesterday when this was posted. I got sober at 15.
It's funny how that works isnt it?! Congrats to you!
Beth, you are an inspiration!
Thank you for sharing your journey
earlyy love you guys
ahh thank you for the heart youre like one of my favorites to watch also coop makes my day 🥹🥹 tell him we love him!! and you too ofcc!🫶🏻
Good for you. Brave lady for sharing your journey. 😊
Hi Beth just wanted to thank you for sharing your story
YOU GO GIRL
That was amazing video. Standing up for your health. Keeping it out of your body. Showing A example for coop
I'm happy for you. Both that you received care and help, it's also good that you can talk about it.
Thank you! I appreciate that.
Proud of you ❤
My great-grandfather was an alcoholic and it sometimes made him violent. He wasn't a present father for his kids until he got sober in his later years when he was a grandfather. It's impacted generations of his family. I'm proud of you for getting sober young! Its not easy.
I lost everything I love to alcohol. I've been sober ever since.
Im a big fan of your content!
Thank you, Beth for sharing your story. Never knew you had the struggle with it. I would never guess. I have been sober a year and a half and clean and the 31st or March two years clean. Isn't God good for His grave. I had been battling trying to get sober and clean for 5 and half years in recovery programs, but would leave relapse and have "fun" then I moved until I was done in my last recovery program that's through my church. I was a member of the congregation until I went into their recovery home where The Lord delivered me and healed me. I not only struggled with the issues I had many health problems some fatal some not. Now after loosing everything material wise I now have my own studio, pets, a car, and a small cleaning business and got my license back but hope and joy most of all and my life belongs to Him. But most importantly I'm reborn
love you and coop 😘
thank u for sharing your story!!
You are brave thank you for sharing God bless you ❤️
Amazing testimony. Thank you for sharing. Please don't minimize your rock bottom. It seems pretty low to me, not to mention life threatening. Everyone's journey is unique. And you have a beautiful life made all the more beautiful because of your recovery journey 🥰
That's very true! I tend to minimize many things that have happened to me. It's something I need to work on!
Growing up drinking beer was as normal as drinking coffee, smoking cigarette and dipping snuff. It’s just what was done. I can understand your journey and I’ll tell you that your a typical personality intensified that dependence and emotional bond with the feeling of being”free”. It took me years to get to the black out stage. When I joined the Navy drinking was a way for me to relax and fit in. I didn’t crave the drink I craved to not be me. The last time I drank and was drunk I got a DUI and spent a night in jail. I would not call myself an alcoholic at any of my stages. I will say that I absolutely have a problem with alcohol. I am just fine with who I am and not drinking keeps me in that space.
I'm a child of an addict and I was born addicted. As a result I'm 'chronically ill' mentally, physically, emotionally...I have the emotional issues from fetal alcohol syndrome and crack cocaine from utero.
It's wild that alcohol abuse is normalized. Wine Moms, and Giant wine glasses are sold, but we have issues with Mary J?
As a result I don't drink, but I think that our health care system needs to improve and lessen the stigma.
I'm proud of you Beth.
LOVE
Considering you had such an issue when you tried it to begin with then I definitely wouldn't take a drop. You are in a position now that you can't go back there. You got your baby boy and hubby
I‘ve got a Patchwork Family at home. My boyfriend (40), his two kids (16 & 14) our son (9) and me (30). The mother of the two has been on-off ever since I knew them.
It was the lovely year 2020 and the younger one of the two came up with the glorious idea that mom & dad could be together when I would be out of the picture. And a lovely friend of hers from school talked her into getting CPS involved. I don’t want to go to deep into detail, still a sore spot for me…
So CPS took both big kids with them for questioning and the bigger one told them that things the smaller one said weren’t true and could be taken home. The smaller one didn’t wanted to come home and was taken into foster care for several months.
Than Christmas Day came around, the smaller one was allowed at home for that and the whole day stressed me and triggered me and the occasional beer or wine took the edge of days like this (it had been a shitty 3 years with lots of funerals).
I chugged a whole bottle of ‘Jägermeister‘ and I don’t know what else as I don’t have any memory of the rest of the night except showering at 3am while talking to a friend through the door where he calmed my stressed cat.
The next morning I had the biggest hangover of my life and decided, that I never ever wanted alcohol to became my solution again. Called a therapist the first week of 2021 and with insane luck found an open spot immediately and been in therapy ever since.
The whole CPS-thing got also cleared.
English is not my first language and even tho I feel confident understanding English, my writing is rusty. So sorry if I adapted German speaking terms or grammatic onto English 🙈
Thank you
In Sweden we have a term for when people are at risk of developing alcohol abuse (aka alkohol missbruk) which is called "riskbruk" or "risk of abuse". So anyone who is drinking very often or large amounts when they do drink, so not the classic definition of alcohol abuse. Just think how many people would fall inte that "category" 😧
The norm should not assume everyone can or want to drink alcohol 🙌🏻 Go you Beth!
Omggg. The second you mentioned rugby, I knew what path we were going down. I was introduced to drinking from college rugby too. (In WNY as well) Agreed, while rugby is not the reason, it is a slippery slope for many. Fortunately, I didn’t like it enough to stick with it.. Can’t say the same for thc tho
It’s a misconception that you have to hit rock bottom to decide on recovery. Just like any other disease, the earlier you get it managed, the easier it can be. It doesn’t mean you are any “less” or even any better, you just happen to have had an awareness that a lot of people don’t have at an early stage in the progression.
Wish u did more videos that are longer than 5 min
❤
Yes can be scary to not remember night b 4 from drinking
Since 2013 sober congrats
Frig so sorry loosing that good friend due to drinking
❤️❤️🧡🧡💛💛💚💚💙💙💜💜
LOVED & FULLY SUBSCRIBED
❤️❤️🧡🧡💛💛💚💚💙💙💜💜
Unfortunately theres no sound 😢
Hmmm I can hear it on my end! It may still be processing.
You got sober before being old enough to drink! 😂 I'm quite sure that some sort of paradox!❤
fyi the constant blacking out every time you drink regardless of consumption amount, YOU my friend are ALLERGIC to alcohol
Kudos to you. Sharing one's vulnerability and weakest moments is HARD. I admire your strength and resolve to be the best Beth you can be. I am the daughter an alcoholic and both my parents had addictive personalities. I see how I could go down the same paths they did when life was difficult, but I consciously chose not to (removing all alcohol from my home when my ex walked out, for instance).
As for people defining what sobriety is for you, they're not living your life. You know what works and doesn't for you. They can stuff it.
earlyy congrats on being sober you’re so strong love you guys
U don't have to totally wreck Ur life to hit bottom ❤ I've always wondered what UR story was, In Ur short videos at times I catch something underneath it ALL and I'm So glad U MADE THIS video ❤ It's really cool to see U in THIS light and to SEE HOW FAR UVE COME 💯👑 TOTAL SOBER QUEEN ✨🪄👑✨🩷 I've ALWAYS liked U girl, BUT I think I like U So much MORE after this! U have made a absolutely beautiful Life for U and Ur family and U GO above and beyond EVERY DAY 😂😂 And U MAY NOT see it that way but alot of US DO ❤ I have a sibling who is painfully shy, MOST ppl don't realize HOW dibilitating BEING PAINFULLY SHY can be! But alcohol is what allowed my Sibling to TALK and be COMFORTABLE in their OWN skin at times!! So I totally GET what U mean! I unfortunately didn't get a taste for alcohol but being a VERY high anxiety person myself I went down another road at the SAME time. However it's been 5 years for BOTH of US NOW ❤ And I THANK God every day for the bottom that I/WE DID HIT ..... BEFORE it was to late or not fixable. Thanks for sharing this and being SO FREAKIN BRAVE GIRL FRIEND 💯👑💜 Ur GONNA SEE there ARE ALOT of US out HERE and WE DO AND CAN RECOVER ❤ ❤ BTW give Coop and the chicks OUR LOVE ❤❤😂😂#WEDORECOVER #WERECOVERLOUDLY
Im so proud of you! Ive been in recovery for over 2 years ❤️🩹
i actually also went to treatment (3 times) but am a completely new person because of it 🫶🏼🫶🏼 i have been there beth, (not as extreme) and i’m so so proud of you!!!