Two years ago today....
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Georgia
Posts: 3,062
Two years ago today....
I was in the intensive care unit with a traumatic brain injury from a fall caused by my drinking. I don't know the before or after story as I do not remember. What I do remember and hold on to is that I have lingering issues with memory, inability to find the right word that I am trying to say, and unexplained mood swings all due to my drinking. I have a lingering scar through my eyebrow.
What I have learned during the past two years of my sobriety is that acceptance of my inability to drink alcohol like other people is key. Prior to this I was clean and sober for 13 years; I drank for the next 8 years because I thought I could "handle it" and things got progressively worse. Normal drinkers did not experience the things that I did. I accepted that I am an alcoholic and always will be. I need to stay vigilant in my recovery and to not become complacent. When I place significance to someone or something else, I compromise my recovery. If I compromise and lose my sobriety, I may not make it back to recovery again. There is no quick fix to this recovery thing. It requires daily work. Some days are good, some days are not so good, and some days are just the pits. But each time I stick with it and travel through what is going on, I become stronger and the next time it hits the fan, I can better handle it. In addition to acceptance I have learned to live by the fact that I will not drink...no matter what. And I do whatever it is that I need to do in order to not drink. For anyone in early recovery I say do not give up....never give up. Recovery is possible.
Thank you everyone on SR for helping me in my sobriety journey!
What I have learned during the past two years of my sobriety is that acceptance of my inability to drink alcohol like other people is key. Prior to this I was clean and sober for 13 years; I drank for the next 8 years because I thought I could "handle it" and things got progressively worse. Normal drinkers did not experience the things that I did. I accepted that I am an alcoholic and always will be. I need to stay vigilant in my recovery and to not become complacent. When I place significance to someone or something else, I compromise my recovery. If I compromise and lose my sobriety, I may not make it back to recovery again. There is no quick fix to this recovery thing. It requires daily work. Some days are good, some days are not so good, and some days are just the pits. But each time I stick with it and travel through what is going on, I become stronger and the next time it hits the fan, I can better handle it. In addition to acceptance I have learned to live by the fact that I will not drink...no matter what. And I do whatever it is that I need to do in order to not drink. For anyone in early recovery I say do not give up....never give up. Recovery is possible.
Thank you everyone on SR for helping me in my sobriety journey!
Well done on 2 years thats really awesome Soberclover
Member
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Western NY
Posts: 125
So sorry your bottom had to involve such heavy, lingering ramifications that sobriety can't fully undo. Sharing your story is such a giving act.
15 years ago my estranged husband had a severe brain injuy due to a fall while drinking - he was alone and by the time he was found it was too late, and we had to make a decision to remove him from life support. I often wonder how different things might have been for him and my daughter if he had pulled through.
I'm glad this wasn't the end of your story, and you are here at SR to inspire others.
Earlyriser
15 years ago my estranged husband had a severe brain injuy due to a fall while drinking - he was alone and by the time he was found it was too late, and we had to make a decision to remove him from life support. I often wonder how different things might have been for him and my daughter if he had pulled through.
I'm glad this wasn't the end of your story, and you are here at SR to inspire others.
Earlyriser
Member
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Toronto
Posts: 3,195
Well said. I had about 6 months sober when I had a 5 day relapse last Christmas. That bender ended with me waking up on the bathroom floor lying in a pool of my own blood. I looked in the mirror to see a six inch laceration on my scalp and my skull exposed. Took an ambulance to the ER and had over 30 staples in my head to close the wound.
For the first time ever, I was actually scared for my life. I was unconscious for a very long time and I live alone so who knows how that could have turned out. I became aware of my mortality and that alcohol is likely to directly or indirectly kill me before anything else. Been sober 11 months since that night. That morning was the ultimate wake-up call, pun intended.
For the first time ever, I was actually scared for my life. I was unconscious for a very long time and I live alone so who knows how that could have turned out. I became aware of my mortality and that alcohol is likely to directly or indirectly kill me before anything else. Been sober 11 months since that night. That morning was the ultimate wake-up call, pun intended.
So proud of you for achieving 2 yrs. 
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