A long overdue Thank You
Long time lurker first time poster!
I just wanted to say thanks to this community. I just past the 3 years without a drink milestone. For years before that I lurked and learned on these pages. I remember reading of people who had 8 months and being in awe...
I always wanted to come back and say hi to let you know you helped this person. After posting on a social network a nod to SR I figured now would be a nice time.
Love to all and thank you!
Below is what I shared with my friends:
3 YEARS WITHOUT ALCOHOL!!!
BLESSED DAY, HALLELUJAH!
Ahhhhhh, sweet sweet relief.
Happiest I have ever been and proudly walking the path I was meant to.
I must emphasize the positive effect it has had for me to live alcohol free.
I was trapped, no doubt about it. It was killing me mentally, creatively, spiritually and physically. It is very hard to convey the desperate cycle I was caught in, but believe me, I tried to "get out" for YEARS. I'm talkin' YEARS, folks!
One of the things I look forward to the most about the anniversary is posting on This social network to flicker a bit of inspiration to those who may need it.
To both us addicts, and us who love addicts, hear this: RECOVERY IS POSSIBLE.
I am available at ANY time to talk to anyone about any part of my experience. Take me up on it.
Just because I Love ya I am going to post 3 tips that personally helped me get to the much better place I am today. This is not meant to be specific advice, as there are as many paths to sobriety as there are people. These are just things I know helped me personally.
1. I began asking people who became sober about how and why they did it. Sometimes it was one question in passing, others it was long talks. Having the ability to talk to a trusted person who has recovered is informative, inspiring and calming. No doubt you know a recovering addict, poke around and you will get the hunger for what they have... Freedom.
2. I read just about every post in the "Newcomers to Recovery," and the "Alchoholism," forums on this AMAZING collections of recovery forums.
(Here I linked to Sober Recovery Forums)
I seriously read and read and read, then read more and again.
I found the shameful incidents I thought were mine alone were in fact common! It was so enlightening how very common the trials of alcoholism are and again refreshing to know I was not alone. Not only that, there are MILLIONS of people that know exactly what I am struggling with, and many who were on the other side.
FEOB - Fun Example of Behavior: Making sure you rotated liquor stores so the clerks don't catch on? Yup, common.
3. Perhaps the most important and overall freeing of all. (Pardon the language)
I stopped giving a s#+% about what other people thought of my situation.
Freedom.
Lo and behold, I was nicely humbled to learn that no one really gave much of a s#*% anyway! :-)
The attention I did receive was mostly people admiring my choices and being supportive. Many folks came out of the sober closet to me or discussed their own challenges. Some of the people whose reaction I feared the most actually needed help themselves!
You and I have way too many loving and amazing people available in life to worry about those who will think negatively of our struggles, and failures. I forgive the people who don't understand addiction for their attitudes and I worry for the addicts in their lives. Our culture needs some serious evolving in our understanding of and attitudes on addiction.
That said.
I am not ashamed I was trapped, I am PSYCHED I got out! Awwwwwww YEAH!
Having people know about my struggle lifted SO MUCH of the self inflicted and imaginary weight. The more honest I got, the lighter I felt. Ahhhhhhhhhh.
The great Brahmin Jackson once said, "Many of us are fighting a dragon alone in private. If we tell others of our battle we will learn that others too are fighting the same dragon... alone. Alone, the dragon will likely defeat us, but together she can be slayed!"
So there you have it, the 2015 3rd Annual Alcohol Free Community Post for Love, Light and Freedom.
Cue the appropriate music... And Rock On.
<3
PS Did I mention that I am the happiest I have ever been? Because that is an important part :-)
So thanks again Sober Recovery! You helped save this one!
Much Love,
LW