Quit drinking and realized I was a ghost in my own family
Sobering up 3 years ago showed me I wasn't really present for anything. I was just there physically but checked out. My wife said it best - I was a roommate who paid bills. Now I'm actually engaged, remember conversations, show up when I say I will. My kids trust me again which is wild because I didn't realize they'd stopped. Lost some friends from the bar crowd but gained my actual life back. Sounds cliche but it's true.
This is the kind of real talk we need more of. Being a ghost while physically present is such a common thing and nobody really talks about it. Good on you for turning it around.