A year ago I had my last drink. I don’t remember it, not that I was particularly more or less drunk than usual. My body finally packed up and I had seizures without even being in withdrawal. During one of them I whacked my head open and ended up in hospital, where I had another seizure in the waiting room.

I was sick, I had lost everything. Some things were not the fault of my drinking (2 people close to me passing away).

I had been sober for a year once before and during that time I quickly rebuilt my life, especially financially. I went back to it and it took me 2.5 years to end up near dead.

It took everything and the last 6 months was especially miserable. All the fun had gone, just me as an sick stinking tramp with a roof over my head.

From the hospital I started going to AA pretty regularly. I am not AAs biggest fan, but it was a place to go, a routine, and people were happy to see me week after week, still sober.

Ive rarely been tempted to drink. At times I reminisce about the good old days - and really for 10 years my life was an absolute scream - I had a great time and don’t regret it. But when I find myself reminiscing I remind myself that I’m over 40 now, alcoholism or not, it’s daft to think I can recreate my 20s.

It’s akin to reminiscing about being at school - it was a joy, but that doesn’t mean I’m going to recreate it by putting on my uniform and going to classes all day.

Life isn’t a garden of roses and I’ve got lots of work to do to build a decent life, but being sober gives me options - I have none whilst drinking, non that I’d want anyway.

I first came across this site in 2007 - I always dreamt of being a year sober so that I could write in the stories of recovery thread. I shall do just that in the next few weeks.

i was a basket case alcoholic and I’m here a year sober. If I can do so then you can too.

happy new year x