The Clear Horizon

From oblivion of alcoholism into the light of sobriety

  • Midlife Crisis or Catharsis?

    Do I sound melodramatic? Maybe. But that is how most of the time you’ll feel when in a remorseful state you can’t escape if you want to quit drinking but can’t muster the strength to escape the loop of triggers, cravings, giving in to cravings and then swearing to never drink again just to find… Read more

  • Time for Introspection

    The days between Christmas and New Year’s Eve offer a great possibility to check my current state of being: Interestingly, I experienced no craving or triggers in the time before and after the holidays and everything went by quickly and with a great festive touch. Now I am exhausted, and like it always happens, the… Read more

  • New Year’s Resolutions

    Why do I write about New Year’s resolutions? Do they even matter or are they hollow thoughts with no power whatsoever? I think New Year’s resolutions may serve a certain purpose, but don’t just say them out loud and swear to other people you are e.g. staying dry in January only to drink your next… Read more

  • Gaming as craving Relief

    Be it Instagram, Facebook or other Social Media: They all have one thing in common with alcohol: They trigger our reward system with cues and cravings. The question is, how can you get by these cravings as a substitute for alcohol? I found out that uninstalling my social media accounts helped me a lot to… Read more

  • Social pressure and drinking

    Yesterday and today have been interesting occasions to see how social pressure works in diverse social systems: It is a habit of my family to drink on Christmas. So I was asked and urged to have a sip of alcohol. I wouldn’t find it peculiar, weren’t it for the fact that my wife endorses me… Read more

  • Christmas

    I’ve made it through Christmas without worrying thoughts or even triggers or a Hunt of a craving through Christmas eve. AF grün and AF Beer dir it für ne. Read more

  • Feels Like underperforming

    Why is it important to think about this issue, and what doe friends and other people have to do with it? I sometimes get the feeling not having performed enough, not being enough or not being professional. This feeling is often something that happens in the combination with alcohol as a cue to get more… Read more

  • When does Epiphany Strike?

    We all have the image of the drunkard who will always fall back into his old habits and his addiction once he gets weak. The message seems clear: Even if we commit ourselves to moderated drinking or sobriety, we will eventually fall back into addiction and the next time the struggle only gets harder. The… Read more

  • Time for yourself and why it matters

    With the look on mindfulness, it should be obvious, why time for myself was and is an important tool in the way to long-lasting sobriety. I want to write it down nonetheless, if not for my own reflection. This is the keyword: Reflection. Don’t get me wrong here, it is very helpful to have someone… Read more

  • Handwritten reflections and mindfulness

    Another very helpful tool to get sober and to maintain sobriety has been reflecting on my thoughts and how alcohol is a bad choice. Of course I could have chosen a simple mantra or forced myself to other things, but here’s the deal why writing helps, especially handwritten: First off, being mindful of yourself is… Read more