Sobriety.... One year later... Please Read.

Finally doing it. Not as bad as I thought once I got my mind in the right place, the rest kind of followed naturally.

I was feeling so guilty with myself. And now I feel so free, sort of. Having a new gf that I’m all in love with def helps a lot.

 

Good for you man! Life just gets better.

 

Meant to come back and post on day 200 but I was out of town an missed it...
Day 204 today.

 

Hit a milestone in my journey today; 90 days. One day at a time.

 

Great job sir.....and congrats on the milestone.

 

Good shit Bill

 

thanks, I’m sure I’m preaching to the choir but there’s a long road ahead. Just trying to live for the moment and be 100% present for my boys.

 

"be 100% present for my boys."
Good man. When times get tough use that ^^^ as a beacon to keep you on course.

 

Just a reminder for anyone thinkin’ there’s trouble. You don’t have to Wheel this trail alone.

 

8 years sober ,it's gets easier as time goes on

 

I've long said it's easier to keep on the path versus stray

 

I decided to start my journey in sobriety in May of 2020. To say that it hasn’t been hard would be a lie. It will be hard, but it will get easier. A crutch is being took away. Don’t give up. No one says that there will not be slip ups. I had one around Thanksgiving of last year. Do I hate that it happened? Yes. Am I sort of glad that it happened? Yes. It just drove the point home to me that I do not want it in my life anymore. Everyday I am so grateful that I have a wonderful wife and loving children that support me everyday. Most of all I am thankful for a God that did not give up on me. Always remember that no matter how bad things get, and hopeless the battle seems, that there is someone in this world that loves and cares for you. To anyone out there struggling, hold fast and keep up the good fight.

 

I haven't had a slip up...yet. Maybe some day I will. Just have to keep it in the now..look at my feet ,that's where I'm at

 

Merry Christmas to everyone having a tough go of it this week. this is my first sober Christmas in almost 20 years and the emotions/anxiety are running rampant without silencing/numbing them artificially.
Just don’t pick up is my mantra for the next couple hours/days/weeks/etc.
If anyone would like another sober contact; I’ll PM you my number.
Happy Holidays Y’all!

 

One day (or hour) at a time my friend. It is a complete life change if you have been drinking for a long time like I did. But it will get easier I PROMISE you that. You will get to a point you never even think about it. I know that seems so far off right now and I completely understand. But it will happen if you stick with it. Willpower is a very hard thing. But you are stronger than this. Life without fogging up your brain is much better. You could have never convinced me of that but it's true. But... It does make you face your demons of "why" you actually picked up the bottle in the first place and let it get that far. I went though that very same thing. But if I can do it? I'm confident you can also.

 

Understand that you have a group of people here that support you and are only a PM away, myself included.

 

^^^Well said. This New way of life is a lot like a new pair of boots. Sometimes they don’t feel like they fit right. Even feel like they’re on the wrong feet even. But if you keep walkin’ they’ll break in. Pretty soon you’ll rely on ‘em to steer you straight & protect you on the path of life that will now be fearless & steadfast. The Folks you meet on this path are true friends. Travellers along the same path that will Never let you down.

 

Made it about 8 months. Will probably be trying again at some point.

 

My friend... Congrats on the 8 months.

I understand how hard it is. You will get no judgement from me. When you decide to try again you know we will all be here for you. It is hard. I've always found it ironic that alcoholism is the only disease that you can actually get yelled at for having. It truly becomes a disease over time. But... it is a disease of our own making in a way. Some people are more predisposed to alcoholism than others. I suppose I happen to be one of them. But, in a way, that's also just an excuse (at least in my mind). If we are completely honest with ourselves, we know what we are doing.

Life got in the way for me due to my job. That is no excuse but that is exactly what happened. Instead of really trying to get help, I lied to my EAP therapist and told her I wasn't drinking when I actually was. I wasn't truthful so I just made it worse for myself buy lying. There are only so many lies you can tell before you have to tell the truth. And that's what happened to me that night when everything came crashing down on me.

I ran out of lies.

I was one drink / one more pain pill / one more xanax / and one more whatever prescription drug that I could get my hands on from losing my marriage and my daughter and everything that comes along with that. THAT... was my rock bottom. When I had to tell my 6 year old daughter what I had been doing and I needed her to help hold me accountable? Not being able to look my wife in the eyes after what I had done (and had been doing)? Those were the worst two days of my life.

I don't know what your situation is right now and it is none of my business. I can only hope you find the strength to try again when you are ready. We will always be here. If you ever need to talk you can always PM me and I will give you my phone number.

I am not a professional counselor by any stretch of the imagination. But I have been at the bottom of that hole and I found the way out. And I never want to go back in that pit again because I'm not sure I have the strength to climb out again.

Be safe my friend. We will always be here.