Today I am 8 years sober and clean from alcohol and any other mood altering substance.

Quiting drinking was the hardest thing I ever did but the reward is more than what I could have ever imagined. 8 years ago today I woke up to my parents confronting me on how ashamed they were of me and how disappointing I was. I was 26 years old, never finished college, unemployed, recently moved back with my parents after my exgf threw me out of her house, going bald, huge loser. I was at rock bottom. I went from a college baseball player to a liar and a thief. I had stolen my parents credit card the night before to fund my bar tab. The next day my parents confronted me and it was time I surrendered and went to AA. AA was good for me the first year of sobriety as I was basically learning to live again. I was so scared in the meetings but I forced myself to go twice a week. I forgot who I really was without alcohol and my higher power, the controller of the universe, helped me especially in the beginning find myself again. I had to basically remove all my “friends” and start over. I went back to college and really focused myself on science and got a degree in geology. I spent many depressed and lonely nights studying and reading posts on SR to stay strong. I used to read every night on here and I can’t explain how much it helped me.

Today I am a geologist with a hot wife and 2 kids. We just bought a lakefront home and own 2 cars. 8 years ago I never would have dreamt I would one day make it to this point. I promise if you put the work in on yourself it is worth it. Please stay strong and focused my friends.

bh