Suzieq17

As I have had a clear head for the past 9 days, last night I realized that I been a drunk for 20 years of my life. 20 years. It is crazy to think that I wasted ALL that time. Trying to wrap my head around it....

Fly N Buy

Glad you're here, Welcome!!

Many of us drank for a very long time. For me, I have learned to deal with the past in a cognitive manner - I no longer regret or shut the door on the past, but I live for today!

I also refuse to live in fear of tomorrow - it may never happen and projections of bad things rarely are manifested.

Staying sober today is the way to turn things around

sugarbear1

you aren't alone.

try not going in your head for a while now..... it can be done, but takes practice!

Tang

Please know you are not alone. Many of us shared your drunken years. Together we can all share many more sober.

Sasha4

Least its not 30 years! xx

Nonsensical

25 years here, but they are sunk costs. They cannot be recovered, and I will waste none of the time I have left investing in that past. The only rational option is to make tomorrow better than yesterday.

Be well!

bigsombrero

Just think of how many sober years you have in front of you! And how many great things are waiting for you down the line. Addiction is a terrible thing but recovery is amazing. Welcome aboard the sober train!

ShenzyT

Oh Suzie
You're so not alone.
18 years here .... I'm struggling to get my head around it aswell. A lot of memories I have (those that I can remember), involve the good old red wine. Every Christmas, birthday, summer, wedding (just about every day) etc .... everything was spent downing the red.
Tang is spot on - we're all gonna share so many more memories - sober.
Big hugs
xxxx

Soberwolf

Your doing great well done on day 9

ardy

my hubby started drinking when he was 12 in the 1960's has times that he suddenly remembers something and then has days were the standing joke is you do remember me right... 20 years is a long time sweetheart you can't change them.. you can watch for the pot holes of life you left there.. and know that you are safe with this crowd of silly's... and now on to the next positive 20 years... just think that will be 2034 you will see so much of the century to come and how you can step up and help make changes for the better.. hugs prayers and so proud of you for making this step.. ardy milwaukee wisconsin...

SoberLeigh

The sun has come out, SuzieQ. Bask in it.

Learn from the past but embrace the future; it's yours to be written.

neferkamichael

Suzieq17, I knew at 20 years I had a serious drinking problem, so you please don't waste another 22 years like I did. 4 years 5 months sober now, rootin for ya.

DoubleDragons

I drank for 27 years, but they weren't all horrible. As we know, this is a progressive disease. The best thing about being sober now (15 months today) is seeing the true contrast of living soberly and truly appreciating it, which can only come from knowing the opposite. Focus on all of the positives that are still in your life and be grateful for them. See my new tagline below. I really think for those of us who have given ourselves the gift of sobriety, it is true!

tomsteve

I drank for right around that length,too. For some time after the thought of what a waste I had mademofmthem year was quite strong ( along with finally seeing the trail of wreckage I had left in yay wake).
Over time my thinkin changed on it. My past is a very valuable possession of mine. I learned a lot of what doesnt work and can use my past to possibly help someone else in the future who may be in the same shoes I was.

jryan19982

Well no sense beating yourself up about the past. Look towards the future and how good it will be to spend the next 20 years sober!

CAPTAINZING2000

Time isn't wasted unless, you didn't learn from it

lunar

That was the past.
Welcome to now!

lunar

Double post!

Suzieq17

Growing up, I was the child who never listened to Mom's advice and sadly always learned the hard way.

NoJimmy

"How you see your future is much more important than what's happened in your past."- Zig Ziglar

That saying may seem trite, but it resonates with me. My drinking career exceeds 20 years, I know it impeded many aspects of my life. It would be very easy to stay focused on that and become defeated. I do much better when I keep the focus on where I'm going.

Good job on 9 days.