Not at all. I don't know the exact mechanism, but a lot of people experience a period of intense unbridled happiness while becoming sober. It only lasts a couple of weeks to a month, but it's so great when it happens. I'd dance by myself listening to music and just be happy as a kid on a snow day. Some people have described it as having "rainbows shooting out your asshole." I wish I could feel like that all the time.

[–] [email protected] 12 points 10 months ago (1 children)

That sounds amazing; it’s unfortunate that you have to go through hell first. About how long after being sober does it occur? Or does it differ between people and how much alcohol they consumed regularly beforehand?

And congrats on staying sober for so long! That’s a huge accomplishment and you should be proud of yourself!

[–] [email protected] 14 points 10 months ago (1 children)

Thanks! And I'm not sure to be honest. I never heard of it until I mentioned in AA how happy I'd been feeling lately. I'd say it was maybe 4 weeks into my sobriety? But as with a lot of things, I'm sure it can vary wildly.

I was pretty deep in, and I couldn't afford the medical support I should have had because I lost my career and I was also legally forbidden to drink alcohol for one year. It got so much easier after the first year and a half to two years, but I still remind myself every day that I'm choosing not to drink because anyone can easily become an addict or alcoholic.

[–] [email protected] 9 points 10 months ago (1 children)

Thank you so much for sharing your experience, and I wish you the best of luck in the future!

[–] [email protected] 8 points 10 months ago

Thank you so much

[–] fishos 7 points 10 months ago

It's like your receptors lighting back up and realizing that they can experience all of this unbridled and uninhibited again. That feeling of "the joy is coming from inside!". Personally, it's like your body waking back up and coming out of a deep fog.