Hope for the newcomer
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Boston, MA
Posts: 1,601
Hope for the newcomer
I've been considering writing this but always stopped...I don't want to toot my own horn. However, when I decided to get sober I was at the lowest of the low spots and I didn't think I would EVER get out of the horrible pit of despair I was in.
At the end of my drinking I:
Lost 2 jobs
Lost my 401K
Was 65K in debt
Lost my condo
Lost my self respect
Lost the respect of my family
Threw my previously stellar career in the toilet
Spent 30 days in a mental hospital after a suicide attempt
Had been in and out of detox/rehab
Lived only to drink - vomiting blood on my couch and drinking 24/7, I was near death when I arrived in the emergency room this last time
I went to detox, rehab and sober living. I spent essentially 7 months in treatment. I got a sponsor, worked the steps, threw myself into AA, prayed daily (even if I didn't know who or what I was praying to).
Now, nearing two years of sobriety I:
Have a job in my career field at a prestigious institution
Earn a good salary
Have my own apartment
Am saving $$ and rebuilding my 401K
Have a plan and am actively paying off my debts
Have made my amends and demonstrated my commitment to sobriety to my friends and family
Have a wonderful relationship with my friends and family - I became an aunt for the first time and they actually WANTED me there to help out with the new baby.
Have a wonderful new network of sober friends and mentors
Am healthy and active and loving life
Most of all I have developed a newfound sense of respect for myself and trust for my intuition. I have a moral compass which guides me. I am at peace and ease most days, at most times. That's all I really wanted...was to be able to sit in my own skin and just be okay. I laugh easily and often. I sleep like a baby. The rest is just icing on the cake.
I thought I was someone who would NEVER get sober. I didn't think I could do it. Heck people in AA told me they thought I was one of the "incapables" who would die from this disease. So never give up on yourself. Never give up hope. Please keep trying. You are worth it. Life is worth it. And life is SO much better sober! I promise you!
At the end of my drinking I:
Lost 2 jobs
Lost my 401K
Was 65K in debt
Lost my condo
Lost my self respect
Lost the respect of my family
Threw my previously stellar career in the toilet
Spent 30 days in a mental hospital after a suicide attempt
Had been in and out of detox/rehab
Lived only to drink - vomiting blood on my couch and drinking 24/7, I was near death when I arrived in the emergency room this last time
I went to detox, rehab and sober living. I spent essentially 7 months in treatment. I got a sponsor, worked the steps, threw myself into AA, prayed daily (even if I didn't know who or what I was praying to).
Now, nearing two years of sobriety I:
Have a job in my career field at a prestigious institution
Earn a good salary
Have my own apartment
Am saving $$ and rebuilding my 401K
Have a plan and am actively paying off my debts
Have made my amends and demonstrated my commitment to sobriety to my friends and family
Have a wonderful relationship with my friends and family - I became an aunt for the first time and they actually WANTED me there to help out with the new baby.
Have a wonderful new network of sober friends and mentors
Am healthy and active and loving life
Most of all I have developed a newfound sense of respect for myself and trust for my intuition. I have a moral compass which guides me. I am at peace and ease most days, at most times. That's all I really wanted...was to be able to sit in my own skin and just be okay. I laugh easily and often. I sleep like a baby. The rest is just icing on the cake.
I thought I was someone who would NEVER get sober. I didn't think I could do it. Heck people in AA told me they thought I was one of the "incapables" who would die from this disease. So never give up on yourself. Never give up hope. Please keep trying. You are worth it. Life is worth it. And life is SO much better sober! I promise you!
Member
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 8,637
HECK YES!!!
For me I had:
Contributed to and gone through two divorces
Amassed over $100k in debt
Lost / thrown away close to $1M over the years on drugs, alcohol and legal fees and fines
Gotten 2 DUIs
Got a reckless driving / hit and run / almost 3rd DUI
Strained the relationships I had with my family
Nearly lost my children
Endangered myself and others countless times
Been dishonest
Cheated in marriage
Lost all integrity
Spent unimaginable amounts of time drunk, high, hungover, vomiting, blacked out, and otherwise throwing my life away.
Now - in year 4 of sobriety
ZERO debt (apart from mortgages)
A healthy savings growing in my retirement fund
Remarried happily with a new baby on the way
Two homes worth more than I owe on them
Financially solid
Emotionally solid
Honest, trustworthy, reliable, integrity intact
Contributing in my community
Loved and respected by family
Giving back to others in need
Feeling GOOD and LOVING MYSELF
SOBRIETY. Everything changes for the better......
You can too!!
For me I had:
Contributed to and gone through two divorces
Amassed over $100k in debt
Lost / thrown away close to $1M over the years on drugs, alcohol and legal fees and fines
Gotten 2 DUIs
Got a reckless driving / hit and run / almost 3rd DUI
Strained the relationships I had with my family
Nearly lost my children
Endangered myself and others countless times
Been dishonest
Cheated in marriage
Lost all integrity
Spent unimaginable amounts of time drunk, high, hungover, vomiting, blacked out, and otherwise throwing my life away.
Now - in year 4 of sobriety
ZERO debt (apart from mortgages)
A healthy savings growing in my retirement fund
Remarried happily with a new baby on the way
Two homes worth more than I owe on them
Financially solid
Emotionally solid
Honest, trustworthy, reliable, integrity intact
Contributing in my community
Loved and respected by family
Giving back to others in need
Feeling GOOD and LOVING MYSELF
SOBRIETY. Everything changes for the better......
You can too!!
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Boston, MA
Posts: 1,601
Oh and I should add, that the obsession to drink or use a substance has been removed. No matter what life throws my way, I very rarely ever even THINK about alcohol. And when I do, the thought is fleeting. It is no longer an all consuming obsession. I don't miss it.THAT is purely miraculous!
Member
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: Chicago
Posts: 605
Originally Posted by Bunny211 
I've been considering writing this but always stopped...I don't want to toot my own horn. However, when I decided to get sober I was at the lowest of the low spots and I didn't think I would EVER get out of the horrible pit of despair I was in.
At the end of my drinking I:
Lost 2 jobs
Lost my 401K
Was 65K in debt
Lost my condo
Lost my self respect
Lost the respect of my family
Threw my previously stellar career in the toilet
Spent 30 days in a mental hospital after a suicide attempt
Had been in and out of detox/rehab
Lived only to drink - vomiting blood on my couch and drinking 24/7, I was near death when I arrived in the emergency room this last time
I went to detox, rehab and sober living. I spent essentially 7 months in treatment. I got a sponsor, worked the steps, threw myself into AA, prayed daily (even if I didn't know who or what I was praying to).
Now, nearing two years of sobriety I:
Have a job in my career field at a prestigious institution
Earn a good salary
Have my own apartment
Am saving $$ and rebuilding my 401K
Have a plan and am actively paying off my debts
Have made my amends and demonstrated my commitment to sobriety to my friends and family
Have a wonderful relationship with my friends and family - I became an aunt for the first time and they actually WANTED me there to help out with the new baby.
Have a wonderful new network of sober friends and mentors
Am healthy and active and loving life
Most of all I have developed a newfound sense of respect for myself and trust for my intuition. I have a moral compass which guides me. I am at peace and ease most days, at most times. That's all I really wanted...was to be able to sit in my own skin and just be okay. I laugh easily and often. I sleep like a baby. The rest is just icing on the cake.
I thought I was someone who would NEVER get sober. I didn't think I could do it. Heck people in AA told me they thought I was one of the "incapables" who would die from this disease. So never give up on yourself. Never give up hope. Please keep trying. You are worth it. Life is worth it. And life is SO much better sober! I promise you!
At the end of my drinking I:
Lost 2 jobs
Lost my 401K
Was 65K in debt
Lost my condo
Lost my self respect
Lost the respect of my family
Threw my previously stellar career in the toilet
Spent 30 days in a mental hospital after a suicide attempt
Had been in and out of detox/rehab
Lived only to drink - vomiting blood on my couch and drinking 24/7, I was near death when I arrived in the emergency room this last time
I went to detox, rehab and sober living. I spent essentially 7 months in treatment. I got a sponsor, worked the steps, threw myself into AA, prayed daily (even if I didn't know who or what I was praying to).
Now, nearing two years of sobriety I:
Have a job in my career field at a prestigious institution
Earn a good salary
Have my own apartment
Am saving $$ and rebuilding my 401K
Have a plan and am actively paying off my debts
Have made my amends and demonstrated my commitment to sobriety to my friends and family
Have a wonderful relationship with my friends and family - I became an aunt for the first time and they actually WANTED me there to help out with the new baby.
Have a wonderful new network of sober friends and mentors
Am healthy and active and loving life
Most of all I have developed a newfound sense of respect for myself and trust for my intuition. I have a moral compass which guides me. I am at peace and ease most days, at most times. That's all I really wanted...was to be able to sit in my own skin and just be okay. I laugh easily and often. I sleep like a baby. The rest is just icing on the cake.
I thought I was someone who would NEVER get sober. I didn't think I could do it. Heck people in AA told me they thought I was one of the "incapables" who would die from this disease. So never give up on yourself. Never give up hope. Please keep trying. You are worth it. Life is worth it. And life is SO much better sober! I promise you!
You are an inspiration to us all.
Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: The Great Outdoors
Posts: 1,992
You know...A fellow poster said once he hit so far he checked in ...and was told something to the effect of Don't expect kudos from me for living your life the way it should have been all along. One of the saddest things I have seen. Your post gives inspiration and hope to others. So happy you got your life turned around...WAY TO GO!!!
Member
Join Date: Mar 2017
Posts: 1,476
Originally Posted by Bunny211
I've been considering writing this but always stopped...I don't want to toot my own horn. However, when I decided to get sober I was at the lowest of the low spots and I didn't think I would EVER get out of the horrible pit of despair I was in.
At the end of my drinking I:
Lost 2 jobs
Lost my 401K
Was 65K in debt
Lost my condo
Lost my self respect
Lost the respect of my family
Threw my previously stellar career in the toilet
Spent 30 days in a mental hospital after a suicide attempt
Had been in and out of detox/rehab
Lived only to drink - vomiting blood on my couch and drinking 24/7, I was near death when I arrived in the emergency room this last time
I went to detox, rehab and sober living. I spent essentially 7 months in treatment. I got a sponsor, worked the steps, threw myself into AA, prayed daily (even if I didn't know who or what I was praying to).
Now, nearing two years of sobriety I:
Have a job in my career field at a prestigious institution
Earn a good salary
Have my own apartment
Am saving $$ and rebuilding my 401K
Have a plan and am actively paying off my debts
Have made my amends and demonstrated my commitment to sobriety to my friends and family
Have a wonderful relationship with my friends and family - I became an aunt for the first time and they actually WANTED me there to help out with the new baby.
Have a wonderful new network of sober friends and mentors
Am healthy and active and loving life
Most of all I have developed a newfound sense of respect for myself and trust for my intuition. I have a moral compass which guides me. I am at peace and ease most days, at most times. That's all I really wanted...was to be able to sit in my own skin and just be okay. I laugh easily and often. I sleep like a baby. The rest is just icing on the cake.
I thought I was someone who would NEVER get sober. I didn't think I could do it. Heck people in AA told me they thought I was one of the "incapables" who would die from this disease. So never give up on yourself. Never give up hope. Please keep trying. You are worth it. Life is worth it. And life is SO much better sober! I promise you!
At the end of my drinking I:
Lost 2 jobs
Lost my 401K
Was 65K in debt
Lost my condo
Lost my self respect
Lost the respect of my family
Threw my previously stellar career in the toilet
Spent 30 days in a mental hospital after a suicide attempt
Had been in and out of detox/rehab
Lived only to drink - vomiting blood on my couch and drinking 24/7, I was near death when I arrived in the emergency room this last time
I went to detox, rehab and sober living. I spent essentially 7 months in treatment. I got a sponsor, worked the steps, threw myself into AA, prayed daily (even if I didn't know who or what I was praying to).
Now, nearing two years of sobriety I:
Have a job in my career field at a prestigious institution
Earn a good salary
Have my own apartment
Am saving $$ and rebuilding my 401K
Have a plan and am actively paying off my debts
Have made my amends and demonstrated my commitment to sobriety to my friends and family
Have a wonderful relationship with my friends and family - I became an aunt for the first time and they actually WANTED me there to help out with the new baby.
Have a wonderful new network of sober friends and mentors
Am healthy and active and loving life
Most of all I have developed a newfound sense of respect for myself and trust for my intuition. I have a moral compass which guides me. I am at peace and ease most days, at most times. That's all I really wanted...was to be able to sit in my own skin and just be okay. I laugh easily and often. I sleep like a baby. The rest is just icing on the cake.
I thought I was someone who would NEVER get sober. I didn't think I could do it. Heck people in AA told me they thought I was one of the "incapables" who would die from this disease. So never give up on yourself. Never give up hope. Please keep trying. You are worth it. Life is worth it. And life is SO much better sober! I promise you!
under new management
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Calgary, Alberta
Posts: 2,339
Originally Posted by Nonsensical
The Awesome.
I am willing to read something better than this today, but I doubt I will. Bravo.
I am willing to read something better than this today, but I doubt I will. Bravo.
bunny, this was a brave, inspiring and so very worthwhile post
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