The Hardest (and Best) Parts of Sobriety
Вставка
- Опубліковано 9 лют 2025
- When I got sober, I thought it was just about quitting drinking and drugs. Turns out, I had no idea what I was in for. If you're doing Dry January, thinking about cutting back, or already on your own recovery journey, here are five things that truly shocked me about sobriety.
When dealing with any medically related events or medical emergencies, please communicate with your primary health care provider.
Join this channel to get access to perks:
/ @hospicenursejulie
ORDER THE BOOK HERE: www.hospicenur...
To learn more visit: www.hospicenur...
Instagram: / hospicenursejulie
TikTok: / hospicenursejulie
Facebook: / 100077937666311
#sober #hospice #sobriety
10 weeks sober today! I just had icecream and chicken wings for Super Bowl Sunday🥰 glass full of iced lemon water!
Good for you! Keep going and see what happens ❤
🤸🏼♀️🤸🏼🤸🏼♂️
keep it up hun.... it is... and you are .....worth it ......💞hugs
Congrats!! ❤
Congratulations on your sobriety
Thanks for addressing what we used to call The Dry Drunk. Not drinking but still carrying the pain.
22 years sober
Congratulations and thanks
Well done Julie, i quit booze over 12 years ago.
16+ years sober for me. Welcome to the club 💖
Bravo Julie. 51 years for me. 26 when I got sober. So thankful for the memories made in sobriety.
4 & 1/2 years clean clean & for ME also... I laugh soooo hard now, deeply, coherently, memorably... congratulations to EVERY1 that's sober taking it one day atta tiime, congratulations to all that took their very 1st Step, congratulations to allll our genuine supporters!!! 👏 🎉🎉🎉🎉👏🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰💐💐💐💐💐💐💐💐💐💐💐💐💐💐💐💐
Julie: Congratulations on your 9 year sobriety as of Feb 4th. Very proud of you. Hugs🩷
Lynn from Hamilton Ontario Canada
Hi Julie,
I love your channel! I am coming up on 36 years of sobriety without a relapse ( by the grace of God!). I have sponsored about 152 women in my sobriety. I am very blessed! I have learned a lot from your channel and am still learning a lot from your channel. Thank you for your channel! Elizabeth in Texas ( one day at a time!)
I watch your channel for advice with my 81 yo Mom with advanced dementia. This stood out to me because I'm a recovering alcoholic sober 4 years now. I got sober because I knew I had to be not only sober, but still alive to take care of my Mom and now, I can't imagine drinking. Sobriety is a huge asset and I don't ever want to lose it. Congrats to you for getting sober.
21 years sober and I believe you captured the highlights of sobriety perfectly -for me,as well thank you for taking the time to talk about this
Julie, thank you for sharing your story. I'm still struggling a year and a half into my tapering my drug use. Im an old lady now and im going to be going through a number of joint replacement surgeries. i was on Oxy for my 1st hip and now having to face knee replacement on Tylenol and ibuprofen alone scares me to death. Been a user for 50 yrs.
Tylenol kills your liver. How sad has America become but just now there's been a new drug for pain so I found out recently... hope this will be amazing for us here. Illicit Fentanyl is destroying America.
YEP!!! Coping mechanisms exposed!!!! 1/23/25 I celebrated 37y clean 🎉 & my sobriety has teed me up to be a Caregiver to both my parents ❤
Wonderful presentation- the joys of sobriety are limitless
Solid 12th step work here. Thank you.
Julie...Congratulations...I can only imagine how CHALLENGING this journey has been....You are a GORGEOUS....ANGEL..A ...GIFT from Above... and..if I may say...I think the world of you 🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹
You're going to have a lot of company here with you. Alot of GOOD people who have been there, done that and are here with you. Alot know the struggle and came out on top. You're a good example of a success.
PS I was never an alcoholic or drug addict but I did do my share of partying and now that I've just completely stopped, I absolutely agree with your #5. A HUUUUGGGEEEE reason I stopped my partying ways was BECAUSE it was no longer fun so yeah, your #5 was my #1 to stop partying altogether. I just didn't like it anymore. Life IS much more fun sober. MUCH!!!
Thank you for talking about this problem. My dad died at age 59.from the alcohol problems. Ihardly remember him not drinking. I am so glad you can share and proud of you.for the hard work.
My Dad, too, died of alcoholism the day after he turned 61.
been there, the struggle is never over, one moment at a time.
Congratulations ❤ so happy for you
God bless Julie i praise God that you are sober,i did it for 45 years, praise God I don't do it no more
I just always have to thank you for sharing about your sobriety and normalizing it for the rest of us! ❤
Complete freedom -- the best part of being recovered is that sense of complete freedom you wake up to every morning and the gratitude you feel every moment of every day ❤
Thank you Julie. Former LEO of 20 years here and still struggle daily. I still do almost the same work, now just in the private sector. Thank you for your insight.
LOVED those lessons! As a lifelong rare drinker, I find it seriously fascinating that all those events you describe, are all ones people feel they need to drink or get drunk at. It is like we have totally different internal worlds while all at weddings, vacation, games, or activities. I am SURE your testimony will help people.
Thanks as always for sharing about your sobriety, Julie -- *yes* to the fact that life is way more enjoyable -- the fog that you never knew was there lifts and it's like you get to actually live your life for the first time. The biggest surprise for me has been that I can live without the substances, I always considered that it would simply be a part of my life until the end -- I'm 67 and sober 5 years, it's never too late -- like you, I am daily grateful that I have had the opportunity to experience what being 'alive' actually is ❤
Celebrating 41 years of sobriety today 😊 Just celebrated my 62nd belly button birthday too. We are not alone. Your posts are proof of that. Thank you for sharing about life and death, drinking and sobriety. When I was drinking and using, I thought if my truths got out, it would kill me. I was so wrong. It set me free… 🦋
Julie, I found you when my wife’s grandmother and great aunt had to move in with us… They eventually received hospice care. Wonderful people, and I couldn’t imagine that experience without them. I hear you regarding your sobriety. I hear you. I have had a successful career, now retired. I’m married to a wonderful woman and have a daughter (step) and now a wonderful grandbaby. I didn’t drink beer the day she was married. While it was a wonderful wedding, my brief sobriety created some serious anxiousness in me. You are not a therapist, and I appreciate your videos, but just wanted to say something to someone.
Thank you for sharing your experience , strength and hope. Former nurse here and 7 years sober next week.Living my best life now at 71.
As a fellow hospice worker and person in recovery I thank you for your wise words! Keep up your good work
Congratulations, Julie, on your sobriety. You have so much to be proud of. You are amazing❣️🎉🎊🫶
It takes courage to admit to being addicted ,Julie . Good on you . I had a friend who went booze free , but it took him quite a long time . He said that not only did he feel much better , but the financial savings allowed him to do so much more . ( good luck to anybody who may be on this journey )
My partner is an alcoholic. We have a long distance relationship. He flew here under the guise of visiting for a month. Then he got here and told me here was here to detox in my house. He’s trying to detox by using an illegal substance which turns him into a monster. He got here 4 days ago and I changed his flight back to tomorrow. I’m not dealing with this sh*t. I know once he gets back to DC, he’ll stay on the alcohol again. I need to end this relationship. I grew up with alcoholics in my family. I will not spend the rest of my life dealing with another one, the anger, the mood swings, the tears, whining, sarcasm. I can’t take it one more day. I have a glass of wine maybe 4-5 times a year. I’m really not a drinker and I don’t want to deal with him this way. It breaks my heart because I really do love him but I’m about to turn 59 and don’t want to be his babysitter or his nurse for the rest of my life.
Good for you to choose yourself!
You can do it! Way to stay strong!
He’s not getting sober. He’s just substituting one substance for another. I don’t know what he’s taking in place of alcohol, but alcoholism is an addiction. If he’s an addict and taking this drug every day “to detox,” he might not stop. I’m not judging. I’ve been through it, myself. I couldn’t stop using opioids after it was prescribed for a painful condition. I tried to use alcohol to detox off opioids. Within a month, I was drinking insane amounts every day and in 2 1/2 months, I was diagnosed with fatty liver disease. You have to drink a lot to accomplish that in such a short time! That was when I realized I had to quit everything. I went to a program, and I did! Tell your partner you’re done, or if you should have a change of heart, tell him he is welcome to stay at your house to get sober, but he has to be sober…not taking any medications that aren’t prescribed by a doctor. A doctor could help him with medication to ease the withdrawal. That’s what they did for me in treatment. They gave me anti-anxiety medication for 10 days, while they evaluated me and started treating my underlying bipolar disorder and autism. That made a world of difference, and I was able to stay sober, which means not taking anything potentially addictive (for 8 years). If he’s honest with a doctor, they’ll know how to help him without putting him at risk of developing another addiction. If he can’t do it at your place, he has time off. He can do it at home. I’m glad you’ve decided to put yourself first!
@@sciencenotsrigma He’s been in rehab several times (before we met) but he would go right back to drinking/using. I wish he’d been honest when we met. In 24 hours he’ll be gone and that will be that. I will cut off all communication. I don’t want to live like this.
Good for you and congratulations! ❤
Congratulations, Julie! I’ve been away a while, battling illness, but I’m up & around and happy to be alive. I started watching your channel, because it could go either way, sometimes, and it really helped me a lot, especially the videos about addiction and experiences you’ve had that led you to believe in an afterlife. I couldn’t believe the number of responses from people with similar experiences! It gives me strength to keep fighting for my life and recovery from opioids, as a pain patient. I’ve been using chiropractic care, PT, mental health care, spirituality, and nutrition, instead. I’ve made it 8 years without opiates. I just wanted to congratulate you on 9 years and say I love this video. It’s really helpful to me, when you talk about addiction and recovery! I’m at 8 years, though I usually don’t count dates, that much. Keep going! ❤
Congratulations on your victory...
You go, Julie! Such good things for new folks to know. Once you find your true self, your life can be sooo much better than before.
Thank you for being vulnerable, Julie.. God understands why we do the things we do. Trauma issues are real and can be difficult to deal with. Bless you and your journey in life.
I'm drinking as I watch this. I need to stop
Me too☹️
Me three.
I understand dears it is tough, but you can do it I was a hard drinker for 3 years straight, believe me I know it sounds cliche but it really is not go to God ❤ 🙏 ❤️ and believe in yourself you don't need alcohol, whatever you're going through you got it, remember you stood alone sober before alcohol and you can stand strong without alcohol.
@dorisbove2210 I wish you were my neighbor...so we could hang out♥️
You definitely are on this earth to make a difference and help people. God bless.
Have to take Sobriety 1 day at a time.
still working on it Juliie, glad that you`re clean and sober, I'm neither one at the moment, I always like your uplifting videos. Keep `em coming.
I used alcohol for 15 years to „treat“ my
Bipolar Disorder. Once I hit rock bottom, I stopped drinking and finally got diagnosed and put on the right medication. That was 8 years ago and I have been able to keep away from alcohol ever since. So definitely check if you have an underlying mental disorder when struggling with alcohol abuse. 💖 i can absolutely agree on the more fun part! It’s a real honest joy that I‘m now able to feel.
Everybody is different. Some folks abhor drugs & alcohol, some like it in moderation & some abuse it. Your young years are a big influence on how you choose how they handle it. I started drinking beer at 18, tried hard liquor & hated it, a few drugs in the 70's but still achieved my goals & won awards for the job I did at work. Everyone is unique & different than others. Just my 2 cents from an old man. Sober is the Best Way though!
I definitely had "issues" with alcohol and drugs, but because I could "function" so well, I didn't really consider myself an alcoholic. However, as I got older I realized it had SO many negative "side effects" in my life, and I eventually walked away. Now, I can't imagine thinking "getting wasted" would in any way be fun. I am SO grateful God delivered me from all of it. Thanks for sharing all your incredible stories, Julie. You are truly an angel.
I went through a real weak point at a year and a half . It scared me . I thought I was safe and past that point , but truth is, you never are .
I am so PROUD of you Julie - you are a great communicator . Than you.
True courage, the real deal. Getting rare now-a-days. This is what good content is all about. Thank you. You tube seems especially fake lately, what with all the scam ads. It's sad You Tube takes the money and looks the other way.
Congrats Julie, keep up the good work because it gets better and better.
You are helping in ways you will never know. Thank you.
God gave you a sweet and caring soul and i am sure He is happy you are letting it shine on others as He gifted it to you.
Thank you for sharing. Thank you for your opening up and being so honest.
Thank you so much for your honesty. I can relate to you 100%. God Bless you.
Thank you Julie ❤ I’ll never forget what you’ve done for me. I made it another day…
Thanks Julie. always enjoyed your videos. no i know why.
Thank you, Julie. Very helpful, in so many ways.
Oddly, after struggling with addiction for years, I had a single dose of mushrooms in September and since that day I have not used anything. Not even tempted, it’s weird but I’ll take it.
Thank You for Sharing!! Just what I needed to hear at this time and point in my life!❤
Yo no soy alcohólica pero pude vivir eso con mi padre estoy feliz que pudiste salir se esa vida saludos desde Ohio
Thanks Julie, been exploring myself. And it is fun and tomorrow I will remember and have no regrets. As a friend of mine says he woke up in a dry bed with his own wife. Keep coming back.
Thanks for your bravery in sharing these experiences.
You are amazing, Julie.
Having done some work with recovering heroin ,meth and alcohol users overcome past few years it is scary to see how many alcoholics slip up and start drinking again. I think deep down a heroin addict knows that what he is doing is wrong and it is not acceptable in society but a drinker doesn't really think he is out of line because there are adverts all over TV and billboards everywhere showing beautiful people doing exciting things while enjoying alcohol. Also mom and dad drank and lived to a ride old age so can it really be that bad ? I gave been sober for 10 years now and all those things you said are so true , keep up the good work. Greetings from South Africa 🇿🇦.
These are PERFECT and exact describe my experience with sobriety 100%, esp the part about having more fun! 🌞
I love and appreciate you Julie. ❤
congrats for your hard work.
Good video. As I approach 38 years of sobriety and age 75, I think of it as having my life back. I will say it is no longer about working on my sobriety everyday and much more about working on living a full life in sobriety. A psychologist once asked me how many meetings a week I attended. I answered 6-7 and often more. He then asked, Did you get sober to live in AA or did you get in AA to get sober? I realized my obsession with making as many meetings as possible was an addiction. Like alcohol and drugs, overdoing it was affecting my mental health and emotional stability negatively. Today, I rarely go to meetings, but I never miss celebrating my AA birthday at a meeting. I want new comers to see that long term sobriety is possible. I am eternally grateful for getting clean and sober. I got my life back or more accurately, I got a life.
A really great overview. I agree when you are not sober, nothing really helps. I had a lot of trauma as a child from surgery, parents divorce, etc. Alcohol was a like magic, but its not magic, its evil. I also get really really anxious after a month sober and then relapse. Now I need to somehow ride out these moments. Alcohol is a toxic friend we need to ditch.
thank you! you are terrific!
The AA Promises truly do come true!
You are not alone One day at a time
Dearest Julie - I was growing up in fifties in Europe when my father was lucked up for decades because his (and all siblings) political believes. My dearest Mamusia during her very early menopause had 'issues' with heart (she was telling us what dress she wanted to be buried in (!!!!! I was about 8, 9, 10 years old when this was happening ! She had four girls (and pregnant with the youngest one when he was sentenced for life!!!!!). I was growing up in a very fragile, almost poor household. My Mather was working in the office many, many hours a week. She was my hero (and still is in my heart for being single mother for 12 years in the worst time in my country ) but the things that I was horrified about is DEATH! She was telling us that she was dying !!! [ IT happened when she was 89!]. I LOVE your stories about your work and experiences. I was a care giver for a few people and for one very unique gentlemen from 92 till his departure at 96.5 ! I was always scared of old people!!!!! LOL! When my BEST MAN passed away I was devastated and still am. He (my patient) was the best man/person in my life - not my father, not my husband, not my son - he was the ONE who I got the most from. I miss him a tons. In his last very hard year being his care giver/ friend / perhaps his last "love" was hard . Well, Julie, I am also drinking more than I would like- if % is tere/here I would drink. I feel that I need to be a bit better to myself - got a great bicycle and some equipment and gym membership and will be "on the road again". Your today's video is giving me a motivation to be more OPEN for the world and to great people. I am a great lady/person - but to sharp/ to open/to misunderstood by many in order to be LOVED . Julie I am very PROUD of you a big time. Warm hugs .Dana
For me I want to be able to perform my best at any given moment. I carry a medical kit and am a self defender so I am on duty at all times. I do not drink, but used to because I thought I was supposed to.
💪🏼You cant stay clean on yesterday's shower.👊🏼 Love you, Julie!!🤸🏼♂️🤸🏼🤸🏼♀️
Thank you, Julie💜 I’m working on sobriety. Your first point is where I am now. Drinking helps me sleep. At this point, it’s also a ritual I do while going to bed. I KNOW the amount of alcohol that will help me sleep. 🤦♀️🥴🤦♀️
I’m looking into a therapist right at this moment. 🤞🤞🤞
Thanks for sharing
Blessings to you!
Happy you now found a lifestyle that's working for you. Thank you too, for this break from doom scrolling. No, do not mean your channel, just the daily menu of negativity.
The most surprising thing for me is that I was afraid I simply couldn't live without alcohol. That life would be too drab, too sad, too empty and I would always be on the outside of everything fun. The truth is that I don't even miss alcohol. AT ALL! And I realize that the reason I drank was because life was too drab, too sad, too empty and I always felt on the outside. Now I feel engaged in life, present in life. I never looked back after the first couple of weeks. It's crazy.
I had the weirdest experience. I drank to fit in. I found a whole new group of friends when I left the military. We always went out after work. I was the one who had only one drink and was most times the designated driver. As we grew and started to settle in, I began drinking. They stopped. I became an alcoholic and they went on with very nice lives. I in some way feel cheated because I watched out for them. Now they’re no where to be found and I’m doing way better, but I’ve done it on my own. My lowest point was liver failure. I don’t drink now because I really cannot. My liver is so destroyed that one more drink could do it. I don’t want to embarrass my two brothers. Hope this makes sense.
I quit to save my marriage. I quit cold turkey, no meetings I just quit. We’ve been married for 49 years and I’ve been sober 40 of those. My wife probably saved my life. The downside is that everyone thinks you’re their designated driver. lol It was harder for me to quit smoking than alcohol. Thank you for reminding me why I quit.
Keep it up ❤ like you I wanted wake up feel good go to the pool ,, go out eat yesterday in fact we went to a retirement party I had 3 waters and looked at other people drinking wondering they gotta drive home I guess gotta grow up sometime !
It's wonderful how The Lord breaks the bondage of addiction if we give it to Him! Keep drawing near the Him and He will keep drawing near to you, just as His word promises!
I agree! Sober for 14 yrs!
Congratulations! Every day is a new day. 😎
Well done 😊
This video and all of the comments is like an AA meeting for me. Thanks everyone
9 years sober here.
If you really think about it, was it ever really fun?
Keep going!
Super congrats on your sobriety Julie❤ but...I do watch your channel because of my palliative mom, but closer to the hospice side.
Before her 5 day ER copd visit, she was drinking and smoking, refusing o2, but now she is trying the o2, and w/ that, has stopped the drinking. But she texted me at 530am for me to bring all my pain killers, which I did not! And she hides everything including a past in person Dr appt, yet she has named me her advocate.
Can you PLEASE make a video, of how to deal with your loved one who is still able to make decisions and throw the care nurses out, when or how to deal with the changing addictions when it's getting close to the end? Thanks
Thank you.
I stopped smoking weed after 44 years.
I'm doing all right
Hey Julie can you maybe talk about the different Fentanyl from the Doctors/Pharmacy vs street Fentanyl hopefully??? Your voice makes a difference. I feel your channel could make a difference. Texas Pictures has an important channel since we're getting off topic which I'm loving. God bless you Julie.
Find what works for you.❤😊
yes I was always amazed at how everyone did no drink like I did. I joined AA in 1984 but thanks be to GOD I never did drugs but then I am an older person so the drugs were not something that sort of went hand in hand with drinking heavily That was more so in the next generation LOL I have also said if I had heard at 25 yrs that I would be living the life I am today I too would have rolled my eyes and thought boring Well my life is full I am 77 years of age and I have enjoyed many years of sobriety I have buried 3 children (one of addiction from fentanyl ) and a grandson (by suicide) and yet could not help but had to stand by and watch my daughters' whos son had committed suicide (her only child) be insulting blaing others and rude / yelling at everyone including the pastor...who did try to calm her...and unkind as she had showed up to his funeral drunk and perhaps drugged and nothing anyone could do to stop her anger. Sobriety is living on life's terms and for my poor daughter who could set up a meeting at 7 yrs old (not making the coffee though lol) is now a suffering alcoholic and the only thing I am able to do is pray So yes I too am grateful every day to a GOD of my understanding that HE in HIS love redeemed my life from destruction many years ago
Good video as usual Thanks for reading this very long comment...Julie .....Prayers for another sober day to you and many more one day at a time.....
I quit drinking entirely because of dealing with someone in my life that was an alcoholic and I don't miss it. I never drank a lot anyway, maybe that's why I don't miss it.
Your so beautiful inside and out
I attended AA sobriety meetings for a couple of years. And it ALWAYS bothered me the #1 tennant. To admit you are UNABLE to have power over your choice.
That is NOT TRUE. I had a sponsor who picked the words apart over and over.... Seemed like a cult. I watched my mind as it worked me into wanting a drink. I drank because of self avoidance, and to be "social." My mind's self talk that told me it's an answer. a little Meta Program that triggers. I trained myself to immediately remember of some gruesome morning's hang over Eventually it engrained the desire to avoid that drug. YOU HAVE THE POWER.
Gave it away for 15 years...back drinking and trying to make up for 15 years off the grog.
I waited to start drinking again until my divorce was finalized. Now I drink more than ever. Uh oh…
You deserve all the love in the universe.
*Someone told me that gave her "gratitude and the truth to take care of herself as if she was caring for a dear loved one". *BTW - I sooooo get it. More than you know. I'll think of you, sending light and love.
Look- you've just made a friend! 🤸🏼♂️🤸🏼🤸🏼♀️
@ ❤️
One day at a time.
IF necessary ,make the decision to not drink or drug as often as possible.
15 days. Longest since 2008.
Even though the monkey is off my back the circus is still in town.