Originally Posted by
Doubter 
Thanks guys for the responses. I believe an alcoholic (recovering or not) needs to focus on staying sober long term before he wants his hopes and dreams to become a reality.
I've haven't managed even close to a year yet, since 2000.
personally I had to focus on staying sober today. some days early on I had to focus on staying sober one minute at a time.
even then, though, I had hope- hope that I could get through one minute. hope that I could get through one hour. hope that I could get through one day.
eventually, those minutes turned to day,then to weeks, then to months, then to years.
eventually in there- within the first 6 months, I diodnt have to focus on staying sober any more. I didn't have the mental obsession.
then I just had to focus on the underlying issues that alcohol was a symptom of.