Congrats on 17 days, my condolances on your grandpa passing.
It is possible to go through the worst of times sober for a recovering alcoholic, I see this all the time in meetings, I have stayed sober through some fairly rough times, but nothing in comparison to some others I know.
I could have never got or stayed sober with out asking for help. I fought the world alone, never asking for help............... until I had my butt whipped by King Alcohol. What I have learned over the past 3 1/2+ years is 2 things:
1. Things go smoother if I ask for help when I need help.
2. When I help others life go smoother as well.
When I allow others to help me they feel good, just like I feel good helping others.