Love letter to SR
Community Greeter
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Upstate New York
Posts: 51,585
Love letter to SR
Today I am 16 yrs. sober. I came here almost by accident, with no intention of quitting forever. I'd been searching for health problems of heavy drinkers, & an SR post popped up. I signed on - just looking for an answer to my question - but SR drew me in. Hours later I was still reading people's stories, suggestions, & encouragement. I found myself finally admitting what needed to happen - I could never be a social drinker - I needed to say goodbye to my longtime companion, alcohol.
I've said it often - how much this community - this family - means to me. I remember my first few posts, feeling self-conscious & terrified about facing life without my 'friend' & buffer. You made it seem possible that I could let go of a lifelong dependency. I learned that my attempted avoidance of pain through drinking had deeply harmed me. I was missing out on living, since it's often the painful things that shape us & help us grow. Staying numb couldn't continue to be an answer for me, & my life was on the line. After almost 30 yrs, the disease had progressed to a dangeros level. I had begun to start my day with a drink so I wouldn't shake or be nauseous. A serious escalation - yet somehow I justified it.
The first days were rough, and when the fog lifted there was so much guilt and remorse - I almost sought shelter in booze once again. SR, you wouldn't let me. Some of you were blunt and harsh, others kind & reassuring - but everyone's input mattered, & has resulted in my 16 years of freedom. There are no words to say how much you mean to me.
I've said it often - how much this community - this family - means to me. I remember my first few posts, feeling self-conscious & terrified about facing life without my 'friend' & buffer. You made it seem possible that I could let go of a lifelong dependency. I learned that my attempted avoidance of pain through drinking had deeply harmed me. I was missing out on living, since it's often the painful things that shape us & help us grow. Staying numb couldn't continue to be an answer for me, & my life was on the line. After almost 30 yrs, the disease had progressed to a dangeros level. I had begun to start my day with a drink so I wouldn't shake or be nauseous. A serious escalation - yet somehow I justified it.
The first days were rough, and when the fog lifted there was so much guilt and remorse - I almost sought shelter in booze once again. SR, you wouldn't let me. Some of you were blunt and harsh, others kind & reassuring - but everyone's input mattered, & has resulted in my 16 years of freedom. There are no words to say how much you mean to me.
Member
Join Date: Apr 2020
Location: Mid-Atlantic states
Posts: 993
What a beautiful post and what an amazing accomplishment. I remember stumbling on SR in a similar way around 2010 and your posts I remember well from then. It took me many more years to give up alcohol, but folks like you and others, whether old timers or new, are always a source of strength for me here. I thank you for everything you've done for SR and I appreciate you. Thanks for such a heartwarming post!!
Administrator
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Australia
Posts: 211,481
I’m so happy to read this Hev 
16 years is a great great achievement - I’m thrilled for you!
The place can help bring about miracles, true, but newcomers, and old timers like me, can always count on you and your kind and gentle posts, day in day out, year in year out
You’ve given a ton back to SR too, and I thank you for it,
hugs,
D
16 years is a great great achievement - I’m thrilled for you!
The place can help bring about miracles, true, but newcomers, and old timers like me, can always count on you and your kind and gentle posts, day in day out, year in year out
You’ve given a ton back to SR too, and I thank you for it,
hugs,
D
Member
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: South Bay, So Cal
Posts: 6,129
Hevyn,
I also remember you here when I first came in to SR. Over the decade I have come to feel that this safe place (on the internet !) is my other family. In the beginning of my sobriety I thought I’d only feel a close friendship with other addicts via my A,A. Meetings. I was wrong. I still have my AA HomeGroup & my SR Family.
Without you all where would I be?
As you must know, the gifts of sobriety are meant to be shared.
So, I thank you for the gifts you’ve given here to help me & our SR family.
💙💙
Bobbi
I also remember you here when I first came in to SR. Over the decade I have come to feel that this safe place (on the internet !) is my other family. In the beginning of my sobriety I thought I’d only feel a close friendship with other addicts via my A,A. Meetings. I was wrong. I still have my AA HomeGroup & my SR Family.
Without you all where would I be?
As you must know, the gifts of sobriety are meant to be shared.
So, I thank you for the gifts you’ve given here to help me & our SR family.
💙💙
Bobbi
Member
Join Date: Jan 2024
Posts: 303
16 years of freedom and reclaiming your wonderful life. Congratulations on your strength Hevyn!
Sharing your story and your victory over that awful destructive chemical and your kind words of support and your caring posts and suggestions has sure helped me, thank you for being here and Congratulations on 16 great years!
Sharing your story and your victory over that awful destructive chemical and your kind words of support and your caring posts and suggestions has sure helped me, thank you for being here and Congratulations on 16 great years!
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