167 days sober
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Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: canada
Posts: 748
167 days sober
After I passed the 120 day mark I decided not to post anymore about how long I've been sober because I've been learning to celebrate my own successes, but lately it seems like it's been one of those periodic cycles in SR where there have been some relapses. They always make me feel sad, but it's also encouraging when people come back and pick themselves up. I had a LOT of Day 1 moments before I got the hang of this, so perseverance is key even when it feels so frustrating and hopeless.
167 days isn't very long in the grand scheme of things, but life certainly can change a lot in a short period of time. I can say that I have taken sobriety very seriously and made several major lifestyle changes that were very hard to accept. I've had to mourn the loss of a certain romanticized idea of the life I gave up. It hasn't always been easy but it's really quite amazing how adaptable we as humans are.
I think one of the most important things for me has been a growing understanding that sobriety transcends thoughts, feelings and perceptions. As you let go of questions, feelings, and trying to apply labels or figure out just what your problem is, you can embrace sobriety as a simple, unwavering statement of "I don't drink alcohol". That's it; full stop. How you feel on any given day, how you might be craving or thinking it wouldn't be so bad to have a drink or perhaps even questioning if you ever had a problem - let the AV do what it's going to do because no matter what "I don't drink alcohol".
I believe lasting sobriety is based on this simple commitment. Everything that we do no matter whether it's SR, AA, AVRT, counselling, religion, etc. should be a means to the end "I do not drink alcohol".
Best wishes to all. Every one of us can do this.
167 days isn't very long in the grand scheme of things, but life certainly can change a lot in a short period of time. I can say that I have taken sobriety very seriously and made several major lifestyle changes that were very hard to accept. I've had to mourn the loss of a certain romanticized idea of the life I gave up. It hasn't always been easy but it's really quite amazing how adaptable we as humans are.
I think one of the most important things for me has been a growing understanding that sobriety transcends thoughts, feelings and perceptions. As you let go of questions, feelings, and trying to apply labels or figure out just what your problem is, you can embrace sobriety as a simple, unwavering statement of "I don't drink alcohol". That's it; full stop. How you feel on any given day, how you might be craving or thinking it wouldn't be so bad to have a drink or perhaps even questioning if you ever had a problem - let the AV do what it's going to do because no matter what "I don't drink alcohol".
I believe lasting sobriety is based on this simple commitment. Everything that we do no matter whether it's SR, AA, AVRT, counselling, religion, etc. should be a means to the end "I do not drink alcohol".
Best wishes to all. Every one of us can do this.
Member
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan USA
Posts: 184
Congrats on nearly six months 
I liked your post a lot because it nearly mirrors my own feelings about my own drinking. There was only one universal truth remaining: my mind and body could never be subjected to alcohol again, no matter what.
I liked your post a lot because it nearly mirrors my own feelings about my own drinking. There was only one universal truth remaining: my mind and body could never be subjected to alcohol again, no matter what.
Member
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Midwest USA
Posts: 630
Originally Posted by Lance40 
I believe lasting sobriety is based on this simple commitment. Everything that we do no matter whether it's SR, AA, AVRT, counselling, religion, etc. should be a means to the end "I do not drink alcohol".
Best wishes to all. Every one of us can do this.
Member
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Midwest
Posts: 4,860
Big congrats, Lance! The numbers start to add up, don't they.
I remember when I didn't think I could make it. But it is possible and I tip my hat to you for sharing your milestone so that others, too, see this can be done.
I remember when I didn't think I could make it. But it is possible and I tip my hat to you for sharing your milestone so that others, too, see this can be done.
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