10 photos show how abstinence from alcohol changes people

"When I started, I just wanted to get my life back. But in the end I got a new life filled with happiness, joy and freedom, which I have not even dreamed of. "

Three years ago, the American Kenny D. decided to change their lives and stop drinking. During his recovery, he regularly took photographs to see the result - and the difference was noticeable after only a month. His story he told in interview for Boredpanda.

The first photo he did when sober 24 hours. It broke his hangover condition was terrible. During the first day without alcohol he received from the Alcoholics Anonymous her first medal. Then he decided to make selfie every time get a new medal.

The second medal - a month of sobriety. Kenny said that at first did not believe in success, even family and friends - in the end, a few years before that, he behaved abominably. But still close to its support - together with the AA 12-step program to get rid of dependence and helped him cope.

In an interview, he said that at some point, absolutely could not control myself and ordered 20 drinks for the evening. He drank until full blackout 3-4 times a week.

He remembered well his last drunkenness. He had a week's vacation, so he bought a case of beer - at the rate of 3-4 bottles of the evening. On the first evening he laid his son on the bed and opened the first beer was around 8pm. At 11 pm, he opened a bottle of 19 - and I realized that so can not go on.

The next morning, he turned to a friend who previously he stopped drinking, and asked for help. Thus began his 12-step path to life without alcohol.

"Walk the 12 steps were the hardest. I had to meet face to face relationship and fix all that I've done over time, until the drink. When I started, I just wanted to get my life back. But in the end I got a new life filled with happiness, joy and freedom, which I have not even dreamed of. "

"My life consists of rituals that help me be a better deal with anger and other negative emotions. Of course I'm not a saint, but I try to keep an eye on their emotions. If I feel I can not cope, I call relatives or friends of AA ".

"I can always someone to contact when I need it. Most of all I'm afraid to go back to a previous state, so I try to load itself to the maximum: appoint as many meetings, to help those who have just started the restoration. "

"I started to read a lot, with mostly nonfiction. I also began to draw - it opened the potential in me that I did not know. "

During these three years he dropped 34 kilograms, began to eat properly and do yoga. The result is obvious!