The Clear Horizon

From oblivion of alcoholism into the light of sobriety

recovery

  • Alcoholism is a spectrum. Here’s why.

    Yesterday I reflected on the question when an addiction is actually an addiction, and apart from the “objective” diagnosis you get from a doctor or therapist, it is mostly up to you to define and feel if you have an addiction. I was neither diagnosed nor had I a distinct conversation with people who told… Read more

  • Finding your own way – Or, the inherent power of “No”

    I may have touched upon this topic before, even more or less elaborate, but today is a day where this is more obvious to me than on other days, or at least obvious enough to share my thoughts here: Today we have a Carnival parade in our town, and the kids wanted badly to participate.… Read more

  • Why Body positivity matters

    I don’t mean exercising to look like a top athlete or a poster boy for Men’s Health. And, it’s not for the sake of feeling “manlier” than other men around me. It’s not about body shaming or externalizing on Social Media to compensate for bad self esteem. What I mean is for my own healthy… Read more

  • Helping those in need when I was in need myself

    How was I able to help people in need, regarding disorders, family problems, domestic violence and substance abuse while I needed help myself getting off alcohol? I have been working in a social and education job all my job life. It alway was, s, in one or the other way, related to helping or supporting… Read more

  • Next Level authenticity

    Well, it’s not only about authenticity, but authenticity makes the most important aspect of the next stage of my recovery journey. Authenticity does not mean to me that I need an excuse to be rude to people by saying them exactly what I think or that I am declining anything that doesn’t suit my needs.… Read more

  • Why writing a Blog is good, but not enough

    This is a pretty personal insight, and it may not correspond with other people’s views about how to deal with sobriety or recovery, but my goes as follows: Starting with the Reframe App was a pretty good start, but after two weeks of reducing alcohol intake, I felt it was not enough. I had the… Read more

  • Toxic positivity in consumerism vs real life improvement

    I recently listened to commercials on the radio, and it suggested to “live your dreams” and “be individualistic” and “free your mind”, “be yourself”. It sounded like some sort of lifestyle coaching tips, but in the end it was only an advertisement for a car, an SUV, that superficially suggests an independent lifestyle, outdoors, with… Read more

  • Pink Cloud gone – it has to get worse before it gets better

    The Pink Cloud has gone, and as expected, reality comes down on me with full force. What does that mean for me? Will I fall back into old habits? At the moment I am realizing that urges to substitute alcohol consumption or similar short-term rewarding habits try to get into my habitual system. Here is… Read more

  • Luck or Mindset – what is my label for individual success and failure?

    It all comes down to your own inner narratives. And these narratives determine your mindset and thus your life. Of course, our beliefs are strongly determined by our education in early life, but the good news is, we can change these mindsets. Suffering from the imposter syndrome? I did. Before changing my job, I had… Read more

  • What is the Pink Cloud?

    When I initially stopped drinking, I was a bit confused by the fact how easy it seemed to quit in the first place. I felt high and euphorised. I really could not understand why I had this feeling. I deep dived into the matter: Reframe, blogs, books, videos. Not all of them take the pink… Read more