Why Alcohol No Longer Controls My Life

What do you think of this quote? 

“When a man can't find a deep sense of meaning, they distract themselves with pleasure.” — Viktor Frankl.

It really spoke to me on my own Sinclair Method journey. Reading Viktor Frankl's Man's Search for Meaning was a pivotal moment during my journey with the TSM. It opened my eyes to a hard truth: the primary source of meaning and purpose in my life had been alcohol. Drinking wasn’t just something I did – it was the central thread tying everything together.

I didn’t have hobbies, passions, or interests that truly lit me up outside of drinking. Sure, I’d take trips, go hiking, or dive into creative projects, but alcohol was always my constant companion – my best friend, my crutch, my “go-to.” It wasn’t just there in the background; it was front and center, shaping every experience. Looking back, it was a sobering realization to understand how much my life lacked a deeper sense of purpose. Alcohol had filled that void, distracting me from confronting the bigger question: What truly gives my life meaning?

During my TSM journey (and even now), I realized that in order to break free from alcohol’s hold, I needed to cultivate a hunger for things that brought me meaning and fulfillment. It wasn’t enough to just take naltrexone or reduce my drinking – I needed something to replace what alcohol had been giving me. For me, advocating for TSM became (and still is) a major source of purpose. It lit a fire in me to help others, and it’s something I’m forever grateful for.

I also discovered something surprising: when I wasn’t drunk every day, I actually loved to learn! Now, I spend a lot of my free time exploring new topics and skills, and I’ve also grown spiritually – my faith has become a central and deeply important part of my life. Prioritizing my health has also become a key focus, and it comes with all kinds of rewards. Cooking and baking have become passions of mine as well, and I’ve found so much joy in seeing myself improve in these areas. These new pursuits not only fill my time but also give me a sense of accomplishment and growth that alcohol could never provide.

Let me tell you what else I’ve learned: there is no alcohol buzz that feels better than the true sense of joy and accomplishment you get from living a purposeful life that feels meaningful to you. I truly believe I could only see this with the help of naltrexone and TSM because, over time, it eliminated that constant chatter about drinking that had possessed me for nearly 10 years. When that chatter quieted down and eventually disappeared, I could finally breathe again! I could focus on anything else I wanted to. What FREEDOM!

This journey taught me that meaning doesn’t just fall into our laps – it’s something we have to actively seek and nurture. And when we do, it fills the spaces that alcohol or other distractions once occupied, offering a deeper and more lasting sense of fulfillment.

What gives your life meaning and purpose?

Xoxo,

Katie