Five Years
getting there
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2008
Location: USA
Posts: 1,314
Five Years
Hi all,
Here is a post I never thought I would be writing... today is my 5 year sober anniversary! Five years ago this morning, I was sitting in a meeting with some coworkers, trying to pay attention but sweating out the weekend before and freaking out because I had finally told my best friend about my severe drinking problem. I was a closet drunk until then, and I knew I had just made a big move that would forever change my life. Of course I was right, only at the time it felt like the worst thing I had ever done, giving up the only way I knew how to do life. Now I know it is probably the only reason I am still alive today. Somewhere in the haze, I knew I was going downhill fast.
The first year was the hardest for me, especially the first few months. It was a struggle just to break the habit of reaching for a drink every time I had a feeling, even a good one. Since then I have dealt with a terminally ill mom who passed away two years ago, and I got a promotion to an executive level job in my company, which is a positive thing but accompanied by a LOT of stressful situations, which is difficult for a sensitive person like me. Through therapy and a lot of hard work, I have actually learned how to deal with all those feelings without alcohol, something I never could have imagined five years ago.
It's so strange to think back on all the years I struggled even to string a few days together. While I still have occasional thoughts about having a drink, I can honestly say I really don't struggle with it much anymore at all. It all feels like a strange dream.
To all the newcomers out there - never give up on yourself! I have been in your position and thought I would never get out of it, but I did, and you can too.
Here is a post I never thought I would be writing... today is my 5 year sober anniversary! Five years ago this morning, I was sitting in a meeting with some coworkers, trying to pay attention but sweating out the weekend before and freaking out because I had finally told my best friend about my severe drinking problem. I was a closet drunk until then, and I knew I had just made a big move that would forever change my life. Of course I was right, only at the time it felt like the worst thing I had ever done, giving up the only way I knew how to do life. Now I know it is probably the only reason I am still alive today. Somewhere in the haze, I knew I was going downhill fast.
The first year was the hardest for me, especially the first few months. It was a struggle just to break the habit of reaching for a drink every time I had a feeling, even a good one. Since then I have dealt with a terminally ill mom who passed away two years ago, and I got a promotion to an executive level job in my company, which is a positive thing but accompanied by a LOT of stressful situations, which is difficult for a sensitive person like me. Through therapy and a lot of hard work, I have actually learned how to deal with all those feelings without alcohol, something I never could have imagined five years ago.
It's so strange to think back on all the years I struggled even to string a few days together. While I still have occasional thoughts about having a drink, I can honestly say I really don't struggle with it much anymore at all. It all feels like a strange dream.
To all the newcomers out there - never give up on yourself! I have been in your position and thought I would never get out of it, but I did, and you can too.
And thank you for the inspiration. 
Member
Join Date: Nov 2018
Posts: 5,169
When I first started, my sponsor had 5 years. He was younger than me, but I thought he was a guru. He's must have close to 30 now. See how that works? You make it 5 years, and you're on your way to 30. Easy peasy.
Job well done.
Job well done.
Member
Join Date: May 2018
Location: Where I’ve longed to be all my life…..here, now.
Posts: 7,337
Cola girl,
Thank you for posting!
I’m Just under six months, and it seems like such a long time to me. I can’t wait to be doing my five-year post and looking back to see that it was all worth it.
Congratulations and thank you for the motivation!
Thank you for posting!
I’m Just under six months, and it seems like such a long time to me. I can’t wait to be doing my five-year post and looking back to see that it was all worth it.
Congratulations and thank you for the motivation!
Member
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: East Coast USA
Posts: 1,068
Hi Colagirl. Congratulations! Always inspiring to learn of someone who succeeds. Can you please tell us how you did it? Did you use AA or SoberRecovery or something else? Any guidance/thoughts you can provide is greatly appreciated. Thanks!
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