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Two Years - The Gains Are So Much Greater

Old 12-08-2017, 11:20 AM
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Two Years - The Gains Are So Much Greater

Today I am fortunate, humble, and happy to be quietly celebrating two years of sobriety.

Two years ago, I couldn’t comprehend the idea of giving up alcohol. I knew I had a problem and I knew that it was getting worse, but I didn’t want to admit to myself that it was beyond my control to fix or that I was truly addicted. And I most definitely didn’t want to admit these things to anyone else. I knew that once I admitted my problem, I could never go back. I would – I knew – be labeled an addict for life, which meant I could no longer justify my drinking to myself or to those closest to me. And that wasn’t just scary to me, it was horrifying. Frozen in fear, I spent years drinking while promising myself that tomorrow would be the day. I rationalized my drinking or my decision to wait until tomorrow, slowly wasting my life away, and ever so steadily building that addiction.

Two years have passed. And I do miss it. I miss escaping the stress of my day with a few drinks. It feels as though I’ve lost a friend, a very unhealthy one, but a friend nonetheless.

But there are a couple of big truths that go along with this loss. First, while I miss drinking at times, I don’t miss it most of the time and it isn’t nearly as big of a loss as I expected it to be. When I contemplated quitting, a life without booze was the biggest thing in the world. “How can I survive without at least the occasional drink?” was a pervasive thought. The reality is that it just isn’t that big of a deal.

Second, what I could not see when I started this journey and what should give great hope to others, is that, yes, I lost a friend, but I gained so much more. The small stuff that I gained is being hangover free, not embarrassing myself, and benefits of that nature. The bigger stuff I gained was a much deeper sense of person freedom and other emotional/psychological gains. But the biggest gain of all is this: I overcame the largest personal roadblock that I have ever confronted and, in doing so, I know that I can accomplish anything that I want in this one precious life that I have to live. Overcoming addiction is not just about containing this devastating disease – it is about opening a world of possibilities.

You read about people who overcome some personal issue in their life and then go on to accomplish some great feat in another area of their life. That happens because overcoming that huge personal obstacle proves to them that they can overcome any other obstacle that is placed in their way and also provides them with the skills to do so. That’s you and me and everyone on this board!

My journey is still in its infancy. It is a slow but steady transformation into the person that I want to be. I still fail. I still deal with the consequences of my addiction. I still struggle. But I know how to overcome adversity and I know how to climb the highest mountains. I set goals – big goals – and I steadily move towards them. I’ve accomplished some awesome things in my two years of sobriety, but my biggest goals are still out there. I will get them. When I do, I will know that giving up my old unhealthy friend played the biggest role of all.

This is an amazing journey that I am on. For those who are just beginning and those contemplating it, open your world to the possibility that ending an addiction is not just about giving something up; it is about a transformational change that will bring so much more to your life than what was lost.

Good luck to all. Cheers!
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Old 12-08-2017, 11:28 AM
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Wow, thank you.
Congratulations on two years of sobriety and transformation.
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Old 12-08-2017, 11:32 AM
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Thank you, that is so inspiring to read!
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Old 12-08-2017, 11:44 AM
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soberandhonest ,

HOLY COW! I think I know what your next goal should be. OMGosh it's SO obvious!

Hunny, you need to write. That was the most eloquent thing I've read to this day (not on this particular board), but sincerely the most beautiful thing I've ever read.

Ya know how people are constantly coming out with books about ummm, perhaps they're gay or they're bulimic or I dunno...

Your book would totally inspire millions. You TRULY CAN WRITE hunny! Heck, I'll buy it! (=

Think about it.
Oh and congratulations on your two years!

ps... I LOVE reading. Last Summer I started to read my husband's underwear because it'd been a while since I treated myself. So I realized that I had to make a special trip to Barnes 'n Noble to grab about 10 books or so for the Summer. Please let next year or the year after be one of YOUR books!

Last edited by sixth; 12-08-2017 at 11:49 AM. Reason: a ps...
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Old 12-08-2017, 11:47 AM
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Thank you for the great post, and congratulations on 2 years of recovery.
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Old 12-08-2017, 11:52 AM
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Thank you for your inspiring post and congrats on two years sober!
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Old 12-08-2017, 11:59 AM
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Fantastic post, soberandhonest.

So very pleased for you!

Sobriety

Rocks
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Old 12-08-2017, 12:03 PM
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Wonderful, wonderful , wonderful! Great post, I’m so happy for you
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Old 12-08-2017, 12:10 PM
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Ain't it the truth guys?

Tell "it" to write a book! (=

*hugs*

ps... if that ain't a reason to stay sober... what is? Gonna be a millionaire!!! (sp?)
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Old 12-08-2017, 01:52 PM
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About as well written and as honest as it gets. Thanks.

btw my biggest fear was also admitting to another that I was an alcoholic. Not because it meant that I was one. I already knew that. It was that I would then have to be accountable.
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Old 12-08-2017, 01:52 PM
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Congratulations! Beautifully written and very inspiring.
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Old 12-08-2017, 02:36 PM
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Brilliant and inspiring.
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Old 12-08-2017, 02:52 PM
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Originally Posted by sixth View Post
soberandhonest ,

HOLY COW! I think I know what your next goal should be. OMGosh it's SO obvious!

Hunny, you need to write. That was the most eloquent thing I've read to this day (not on this particular board), but sincerely the most beautiful thing I've ever read.

Ya know how people are constantly coming out with books about ummm, perhaps they're gay or they're bulimic or I dunno...

Your book would totally inspire millions. You TRULY CAN WRITE hunny! Heck, I'll buy it! (=

Think about it.
Oh and congratulations on your two years!

ps... I LOVE reading. Last Summer I started to read my husband's underwear because it'd been a while since I treated myself. So I realized that I had to make a special trip to Barnes 'n Noble to grab about 10 books or so for the Summer. Please let next year or the year after be one of YOUR books!
Thank you for the very kind (and probably overly generous) words Sixth!
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Old 12-08-2017, 03:08 PM
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Powerfully expressed - I loved it - thank you so much soberandhonest. I'm sure it will help and encourage many. Happy 2nd Birthday.
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Old 12-08-2017, 03:31 PM
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wow congratulations soberandhonest

D
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Old 12-08-2017, 10:00 PM
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Thanks to everyone for your very kind messages and support. This is a fantastic community that I am very lucky to be part of.
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Old 12-09-2017, 12:01 AM
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Congrats and well done! Two years if fantastic, soberandhonest!
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Old 12-09-2017, 04:08 AM
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Congrats on two years. Thanks for posting such an honest and inspiring account of your journey.
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Old 12-09-2017, 05:17 AM
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Congratulations on 2 years!
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Old 12-09-2017, 07:31 AM
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Brilliant to read and inspiration when I needed it most! Many congratulations to you 😍
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