Nita Strauss Alice Cooper guitarist posted a touching message on her social media. Check it out here:
"5 years... If you asked someone who knew me before if I would ever celebrate 5 years of sobriety, they would laugh (and maybe spill a drink on you in the process).".
I used to think I needed alcohol for everything. To have confidence on stage. To socialize after shows. To celebrate. To suffer. To mourn deaths. To eliminate frustrations or to forget a bad day. To relax and laugh at lunch with friends, or to watch football with the guys on Sundays.
I was terrified that my life would change, that without alcohol I wouldn't be me anymore, that I would lose my friendships, my charisma on stage, and become a different person.
All of these things happened… but not in the way I thought they would.
The change came first in my relationship, which transformed into something with much less fighting and drama, and more productive, peaceful, and loving. Thank you, Josh, for being the catalyst for the best thing I've ever done for myself. I love you.
My old self would have stayed up until 6 AM at the bar or on the bus. The me I've become prefers to wake up at 6 AM and go to the gym before starting my day.
My circle of friends was almost immediately reduced to 3 people. I learned that in terms of friendship, quality is ALWAYS better than quantity. If your friends aren't interested in spending time with you after you've changed for the better, they weren't your real friends.
My first alcohol-free show was for 15,000 people. I felt like a scarecrow that had been placed on stage. Nothing felt natural. I was processing my emotions, with this absurd idea in my head that 'everyone is looking at me. Everyone knows.'
After the show, I got off the bus to talk to some fans and you know what they said? 'Wow, you were amazing! Where does all that energy come from? You bring so much to Alice Cooper!'
All that insecurity, all the fears, all the doubts in my head. Those are the demons that make you think you need them. I'm so happy to sit at the bar, order a sparkling water with lemon, and watch the game. I wouldn't go back to my old life for anything.”
READ ALSO : Nita Strauss puts on a show playing Iron Maiden's "Aces High" and "The Trooper" at a store.
