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1 year Sober

Old 08-22-2018, 05:37 PM
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1 year Sober

Tomorrow is 1 year since my last drink. August 23 is my sobriety date since I celebrate knowing that day when I took my last drink that day, it was going to be the last I was going to have. I had 2 beers total that day knowing that was it. I hit a personal rock bottom last year, my marriage ended in divorce, I fell down a flight of stairs in a black out and tore my rotator cuff in my right shoulder. I have 1 DUI on my record and tons of other bad experiences due to alcohol, all by the age of 35. This is what I have learned in 1 year sober:

1.) Alcohol and drugs is a symptom of greater issues. My main issue is depression and anxiety. I drank for that instant gratification and high alcohol gave me but it always back fired. My depression and anxiety the next day was unbearable at times. I can now face my depression in a healthier way.

2.) My demons know how to swim. Drinking away my pain, stress and sorrows only made my demons swim to the top. Getting sober I faced my inner most issues. And you know what? I am still ok!

3.) Dealing with life sober is actually way easier than drunk everyday. I have a clear mind, even on my worst days, since I don't have alcohol 24/7 pumping through my bloodstream. Facing reality and day to day struggles is still tough for me, but you know what? I am sober, healthy and safe.

4.) I love me. I have made some terrible mistakes in my past, one in particular I will always regret ( hurting my now ex husband so bad) but it all made me who I am today. The old me had terrible coping skills and did not know better. I live every day today being a better person than I was yesterday.

5.) You own your recovery. Whatever path you take, as long as your recovery is your #1, own it. One day at a time. Whether it is AA or whatever, you will find what works for you the best in keeping you sober and growing as an individual.

6.) I lost "friends". Bar buddies. As I grew, I had to change people, places and things. I stopped comparing myself to others "well, everyone drinks". No not everyone drinks and some people can go out and drink and be responsible. You know what? I can not. I lost the privilege a long time ago to drink like a normal drinker. I have an addiction to alcohol and bad things happen when I drink and I lose all control. I now love my iced coffee, sparkling waters and iced tea.

7.) In the last 3 years of my drinking, I could not make it 24 hours sober. My instant sobriety was truly a miracle, God, and now I am 1 year completely sober.
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Old 08-22-2018, 05:40 PM
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wow congratulations Xtina

D
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Old 08-22-2018, 05:45 PM
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A whole year - how wonderful, Xtina. Proud of you.
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Old 08-22-2018, 05:47 PM
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Amazing. Congrats!
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Old 08-22-2018, 05:54 PM
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Congrats on the first of many sober years!

You can post your story, if you want, in the Stories forum. Might be incentive to someone looking to get sober.
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Old 08-22-2018, 06:21 PM
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Congratulations! That's fantastic.
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Old 08-22-2018, 06:59 PM
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Beautiful! Thank you for sharing.
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Old 08-22-2018, 07:06 PM
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Sending prayers and hugs for sobriety for years to come. Good job!
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Old 08-22-2018, 07:59 PM
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Thank you for sharing!
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Old 08-22-2018, 09:50 PM
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Great post, well done on completing 1 year.
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Old 08-23-2018, 05:23 AM
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Congrats!! 1 year is amazing!
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Old 08-23-2018, 05:51 AM
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Congratulations!
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Old 08-23-2018, 05:58 AM
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Way to go!
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Old 08-23-2018, 08:40 AM
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Congratulations.
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Old 08-23-2018, 12:34 PM
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A wonderful achievement. Congratulations.
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Old 08-23-2018, 02:24 PM
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Awesome!! Congrats!
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Old 08-23-2018, 08:09 PM
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I so love this post - you really laid it out. Very inspiring. Thank you!
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Old 08-23-2018, 08:43 PM
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That’s awesome

Thank you for sharing, so clear, concise, and honest.
-It’s been
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Old 08-23-2018, 08:54 PM
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Congratulations!! I love your story. That gives me hope because I struggled so often even stringing three days together. Thank you for sharing hope with us all
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Old 08-23-2018, 09:09 PM
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Thank you so much for your story...it really hits home for me...
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