Celebrated Last Night
 

THREE YEARS sober as of yesterday.

And it's amazing! I can't believe how time has flown by! I used to just survive from day to day. Either recovering from the night before, trying not to drink "too much" that day, or just making it until the evening hours for it to be "socially acceptable" to start with a glass of wine. Looking back, it's clear as day that I had a major issue, but boy did I think I could control it. I couldn't. It definitely controlled me. What an awful way to live.

Things are not always easy now, but soooo much easier now that I control my life, instead of some substance!! I've been blessed beyond measure these past few years. A new baby, my marriage is thriving, my body doesn't have weird aches and pains anymore... well except for your typical "hey you're getting older" ones!

Sobriety has honestly been simple for me. I don't follow a problem, I don't go to meetings, it just is easier to not drink- than to drink, and for now that is working for me. I do know know that at some point I will probably be tested with a difficult life event. And I'll be the first to admit I'm probably not prepared for that, and need to work on a plan. But as of now, the occasional "a drink would be nice" thoughts are easily brushed off by "playing it out" (thanks SR!) And to be honest, "A drink" never crosses mind, wanting to get drunk does!! But I know now it will NEVER be worth it!!

Funny enough, through all of my early sobriety, I was so worried about people noticing/ asking why I wasn't drinking... well it took almost THREE years for someone to ask me flat out "do you not drink? Like ever?" HA! And by now, I'm comfortable enough with an honest "NOPE! It didn't work for me."

But man, I sure remember those early days... months even! Those first sober weekends, holidays, evenings! They were tough. I had learned to associate alcohol with literally every single aspect of my life. New years- champagne!! Thanksgiving- red wine! Friday nights- booze for the start of the weekend! Saturday nights- vodka shots! Tuesdays- Tacos and tequila! Sundays- football and beer! Wednesdays... well, I'm sure I found something! Just writing this out, makes me even more aware about how ridiculous things had become. But man is it hard to recognize in the moment!! :headbange

I don't post here much anymore, but I definitely stop in to read occasionally. The success stories are as helpful as the failures! This struggle is not our own unfortunately. But it sure is nice to have people who understand!!

If I can say anything about sobriety though, is that it's worth it.

100,000,000%!!

Big congrats on three years sober! :scoregood Thanks for the update and the encouraging post. :hug:

Congratulations on 3 years, Pinot!

This is great news! I'm so glad to hear you're doing well.

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Congratulations on three years!!!!!!!!!!!!

Well done on THREE YEARS sober :dance8: :ring

I don't go to meetings either, or follow those pesky problems :c022:

3 years that's fantastic pinot

I remember having acceptable hours to drink, and I adhered to them too... for awhile. And then I started to disregard them, although I did feel a little guilty about it.

Congratulations.

Ha! Whoops! Programs! Lol but problems as well!! 😉

So awesome! I can really hear the change in you. I was here for your early days and I'm so proud of you (and all of us) for dealing with this and recovering.

Congratulations.

really pleased for you PinotNoMore :)

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This is a great thread! Congratulations.

Well done and thanks for sharing. I need to look at the bigger picture, the longer term. I am glad you are enjoying life

This makes me smile very deeply. Well done!!

Congratulations on three years!:You_Rock_

That's Epic!:nyu:nyz:snow::nyv:nyaa