Ever Vigilant
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Deep in the heart of Texas
Posts: 1,736
Ever Vigilant
I just passed the 20 month mark this week. For whatever reason, this attempt at sobriety has "stuck" so I've been trucking along pretty good. But that doesn't mean the work has stopped and I don't think it ever will.
While it's true that time & distance heals most wounds, I discovered today that I can never take my sobriety for granted or let my guard down. I've slowly been doing both for the past few weeks. Spring weather (always a trigger for me) combined with the success of 20 months & a lack of vigilance have left the door cracked for that pesky AV. And she came charging in today with her ever-tempting rationalizations of ways I could & reasons why I should have "just one" drink.
Thankfully I know her well enough now to see thru her veiled attempts to draw me off track. I reached out to a very trusted friend I met here & we walked thru all the reasons my head knew that "just one" would turn into a devastating slide back into the abyss. As I said, my head knew this - my heart just needed reminding.
So even though I had thoughts to go back out there I didn't do it. I reached out, confessed my thoughts & worked thru it until my head and my heart were on the same page. And tonight I'm still sober - 20 months and 1 day. That is what I call a success.
Don't ever let your guard down or take your precious sobriety for granted. You worked way too hard for every heavenly second of it.
Standing strong and in solidarity with each of you. Tonight & always.
While it's true that time & distance heals most wounds, I discovered today that I can never take my sobriety for granted or let my guard down. I've slowly been doing both for the past few weeks. Spring weather (always a trigger for me) combined with the success of 20 months & a lack of vigilance have left the door cracked for that pesky AV. And she came charging in today with her ever-tempting rationalizations of ways I could & reasons why I should have "just one" drink.
Thankfully I know her well enough now to see thru her veiled attempts to draw me off track. I reached out to a very trusted friend I met here & we walked thru all the reasons my head knew that "just one" would turn into a devastating slide back into the abyss. As I said, my head knew this - my heart just needed reminding.
So even though I had thoughts to go back out there I didn't do it. I reached out, confessed my thoughts & worked thru it until my head and my heart were on the same page. And tonight I'm still sober - 20 months and 1 day. That is what I call a success.
Don't ever let your guard down or take your precious sobriety for granted. You worked way too hard for every heavenly second of it.
Standing strong and in solidarity with each of you. Tonight & always.
and thank you for the wonderful post.
Member
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Midwest
Posts: 4,860
Congratulations to you, my friend, both on achieving 20 months and on weathering the storm yesterday.
Thank you for the reminder that long-term sobriety is achievable and that it requires the vigilance you described. A lot of people here will benefit from your description on how you handled the AV's sudden surfacing and your example.
We are so lucky to have you as a steadfast member of our community, Hearts.
You rock!
Thank you for the reminder that long-term sobriety is achievable and that it requires the vigilance you described. A lot of people here will benefit from your description on how you handled the AV's sudden surfacing and your example.
We are so lucky to have you as a steadfast member of our community, Hearts.
You rock!
Member
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: California
Posts: 13,044
Congratulations on 20 months + a day! Thank you for sharing that story. I have 108 days today, which is my longest sober period other than pregnancies. In the past I have become complacent with my plan, and when the thought of "just one," popped into my head I caved and the whole darn cycle started again.
I am going to tuck your post away as a model of what to do when that pesky AV pops up in the future. Thank you again for sharing your success!!
❤️ Delilah
I am going to tuck your post away as a model of what to do when that pesky AV pops up in the future. Thank you again for sharing your success!!
❤️ Delilah
Member
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Lakeside, Ca
Posts: 10,208
Who is a fool ?
Originally Posted by HeartsAfire 
she came charging in today with her ever-tempting rationalizations of ways I could & reasons why I should have "just one" drink.
the one that we need to keep an eye on
is the one looking back at us in the mirror.
That guy has fooled me so many times.
Who is a fool ?
A fool is one who fools themself.
M-Bob
Trudgin
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 6,348
Way to GrO!
Proud of ya for working through it - this is my second spring as well and there has been some noise on this end as well. The kinship of a common problem and sharing solutions is a huge key.
Thanks for helping others today by speaking from your heart, Hearts!!
Well struck
Proud of ya for working through it - this is my second spring as well and there has been some noise on this end as well. The kinship of a common problem and sharing solutions is a huge key.
Thanks for helping others today by speaking from your heart, Hearts!!
Well struck
bona fido dog-lover
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: SF Bay area, CA
Posts: 99,784
Congrats on 20 months sober. 
I have the odd thought once in a while to drink, but my logical mind takes over and dismisses that thought as soon as it shows up. 
I love my sober life too much to throw it away by making myself sick.
I have the odd thought once in a while to drink, but my logical mind takes over and dismisses that thought as soon as it shows up. I love my sober life too much to throw it away by making myself sick.
Member
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: New England
Posts: 4,420
So very proud of you, Hearts! Thanks for a great post that reminds this that we can stay sober and must also remain very aware of ourselves, our motivations and our strengths (internal and external) in order to remain so.
Much love, my friend.
Much love, my friend.
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