"There was this voice that used to accompany me everywhere. I’d glance at myself in the mirror and the voice would start to tell me what a loser and fuck-up I was. It was there all of the time. "
Hi Sari and Sharon. Thank you for the vulnerability and humor shared here. I am a psychiatrist 16 years in recovery who runs a confidential program for physicians and other health pros in WA that have substance and mental health problems that are negatively impacting their practice. I am new to substack and this article was, for whatever reason, the first I came across as I began exploring the platform. In recovery communities we call that a “God shot.” Anyway, I am now subscribed and looking forward to more! At 55, Oldster seems like my vibe!
Welcome aboard, Chris! Glad to have you here. Thanks for subscribing. I think you'd also love The Small Bow, the recovery newsletter I partner with on this series. http://thesmallbow.substack.com
Hi, Sari, I think I'm ready to do the questionnaire. If you have a lot of them waiting in line, just file mine in the back somewhere. I'm not in a hurry. By the way, I will turn 86 on Friday, Feb. 21. Can't believe it. That seems seriously elderly.
I once told two lovely women that it would be a tragedy of immense proportions if they carried on smoking. They looked angry and carried on. That was 15 years ago. I wonder....I gave up drinking and smoking 40 years ago. And now i am well past my early eighties and exercise all the time. Normal weight and can still run for a bus. Don't drive due to age and eye issues. My secret ingredient is my total belief that we are eternal Spirits with temporary bodies. I look after both with diet exercise and prayer. I had an eye injection a few weeks ago. Unusually it hurt like hell afterwards. So much that I asked Jesus to help me.. The pain faded in five seconds back to the normal soreness I get from those jabs. Minor miracle? It felt very major to me. I hope it will help you dear reader. If not pray harder!! Dai.
Honesty is such an attractive thing in humans. Sharon's interview shows a tenacity and incredible struggle, doing her best to cope, and then to turn it all around to her recovery. Amazing. Happy for her.
This interview touched me in a deep place. I am also a sober alcoholic, Sharon. If you ever want a quick Substack meeting, please reach out to me. Like you, I knew from my first drink at age 13-- it was on Bourbon Street in New Orleans, that alcohol was my missing piece. Insanity is going back to it again and again after it stops working -- as someone said in a meeting this morning, "I kept banging my head against the wall thinking my head was harder." Take care.
I love the Hungry Hippo story! When I was little I once told neighbours that Luke Skywalker and Snow White lived in my attic. I grew out of fibbing pretty early on. I really appreciate honesty, like yours, Sharon. Thank you! ♥️
Hi Sari and Sharon. Thank you for the vulnerability and humor shared here. I am a psychiatrist 16 years in recovery who runs a confidential program for physicians and other health pros in WA that have substance and mental health problems that are negatively impacting their practice. I am new to substack and this article was, for whatever reason, the first I came across as I began exploring the platform. In recovery communities we call that a “God shot.” Anyway, I am now subscribed and looking forward to more! At 55, Oldster seems like my vibe!
Welcome aboard, Chris! Glad to have you here. Thanks for subscribing. I think you'd also love The Small Bow, the recovery newsletter I partner with on this series. http://thesmallbow.substack.com
Just subscribed! TY!
Hi, Sari, I think I'm ready to do the questionnaire. If you have a lot of them waiting in line, just file mine in the back somewhere. I'm not in a hurry. By the way, I will turn 86 on Friday, Feb. 21. Can't believe it. That seems seriously elderly.
Happy almost birthday, Marianna! I'll drop you a line...
I once told two lovely women that it would be a tragedy of immense proportions if they carried on smoking. They looked angry and carried on. That was 15 years ago. I wonder....I gave up drinking and smoking 40 years ago. And now i am well past my early eighties and exercise all the time. Normal weight and can still run for a bus. Don't drive due to age and eye issues. My secret ingredient is my total belief that we are eternal Spirits with temporary bodies. I look after both with diet exercise and prayer. I had an eye injection a few weeks ago. Unusually it hurt like hell afterwards. So much that I asked Jesus to help me.. The pain faded in five seconds back to the normal soreness I get from those jabs. Minor miracle? It felt very major to me. I hope it will help you dear reader. If not pray harder!! Dai.
Honesty is such an attractive thing in humans. Sharon's interview shows a tenacity and incredible struggle, doing her best to cope, and then to turn it all around to her recovery. Amazing. Happy for her.
What a beautiful woman! Thank you for sharing, Sharon and Sari. You have given my day a boost of gratitude!
<3
Oh my gosh, you are the sweetest!
Oh my gosh, you are the sweetest.
This interview touched me in a deep place. I am also a sober alcoholic, Sharon. If you ever want a quick Substack meeting, please reach out to me. Like you, I knew from my first drink at age 13-- it was on Bourbon Street in New Orleans, that alcohol was my missing piece. Insanity is going back to it again and again after it stops working -- as someone said in a meeting this morning, "I kept banging my head against the wall thinking my head was harder." Take care.
I’m very much interested in a Substack meeting! I guess I really am old because I can’t figure out how to message you!
I love the Hungry Hippo story! When I was little I once told neighbours that Luke Skywalker and Snow White lived in my attic. I grew out of fibbing pretty early on. I really appreciate honesty, like yours, Sharon. Thank you! ♥️
I wish I had grown out of it earlier!
Love "...I get to experience the joy of recovery, even when life is doing it’s life-y thing and not being so much fun." So wise and life-affirming.
Sharon,
You are very brave to share your experience with alcohol and addiction— so thank you for your honesty. 🙏 Bravo.
I struggle with the food thing, and I love food. Yay, to low dose Prozac. We all need to know we are not alone.
Btw you are a gorgeous woman!
Aw, shucks. Thank you so much!
This made me laugh out loud and also inspired me to do a bit of inner-demon housecleaning myself: "I’m so glad that voice is gone. Sayonara, asshole."
Yes!