Just reached one year sober and while I am so grateful for that, I’m also going through a rough patch in my personal life due to some trauma in a relationship. I’ve never experienced this kind of emotional pain in sobriety and it’s just very unsettling.
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I’m comin up on a year in December, month 8 and 9 for me were some of the hardest months of my sobriety. I lost the desire to drink, but the emotional pain I suffered from was hard to sit with. I now am doing a lot better now and the best advice I can give you is to talk about it, ask for help/suggestions, and write about the emotion and try and dig deep with what the root is. Remember this too shall pass!
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With recovery, at least in my experience, there will be painful life circumstances that may be unfamiliar to you as someone who is now experiencing all of their emotions (likely rather deeply). It can be really tough. But as you keep moving forward in your recovery it gets better and you learn how to handle these situations better each and every time. Have you tried journaling or any form of therapy? No pressure at all. Just curious as it helps me. I also reach out to a supportive friend or family member for words of encouragement. You’re not alone and you will get through it 
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Hi Jess: Do you go to meetings? Sponsor? Steps? You don't have to face this alone.
I'm almost at 18 months clean, and I'm going through the same thing. I just broke up with my girlfriend after months of emotional abuse. I just feel so drained. I feel more PTSD from this than I do from 7 months in Iraq. I just keep sharing in meetings and praying, trusting that it is only temporary...
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Emotional sobriety is to me the toughest part of sobriety. I was never allowed to show emotion; if I did it was considered weakness. One thing that has helped me is meditation. I also regularly continue to turn to AA, if I’m sitting at home depressed because I’m not happy with my higher power’s will for my life, I log into a meeting and share how I’m feeling and I always get someone who says or helps me get back centered. If you work the steps; which is a suggestion and I personally feel it saved my life because it provided me the tolls to navigate life when I am operating off emotion. Most times for me it’s because I feel I want or deserve something in my life and it’s not happening that way and rather than see that my higher power is probably trying to help me and remove that situation or individual from my life I get depressed. I have almost five years and my emotional state of mind has almost crippled me at times. These things might help: remember your perception of where you are is probably wrong and that is where having a sponsor or network helps (basically people that do not have the emotional attachment to your situation that you do). Second, I pray and say “Higher power if there is anything blocking me from your spirit please help me remove it..” Remember you mind is telling you lies, don’t believe them. Keep your head up and most importantly keep going.
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I'll keep it short... If you're struggling sober, you'd be struggling a whole lot more drunk. Also, if you're struggling, but sober, you're still winning that fight. Struggles come. Sobriety helps you win them with a clear head and logic. Struggle. acknowledge your rough patch. Just don't drink. Because I guarantee it'll only magnify said problems and manifest many more that weren't even present. Hang in there.
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I just started going to in person meetings again. I’m in between sponsors and I’m on my fourth step.
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Wow! Already working Step 4? That's impressive, Jess! It sounds like you are really engaged in the recovery process. Keep on keepin' on!
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Dealing with trauma outside of the sobriety journey is definitely tough. But it sounds like you're doing a lot of good work for yourself!
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You got a year, keep pushing in that. Things pop up in life that are gonna try to throw us off course. Stay strong. If you need someone to listen or chat with, reach out.
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