3 Years Sober Today
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Phoenix
Posts: 1,189
3 Years Sober Today
Hello SR,
It's been a long time since I've posted, life has certainly been strange this past year. I am so happy to report that I am 3 years sober today. I came here years ago, broken and beaten down from the aftermath of 30 years of drinking. Sober Recovery helped me find my way, a path to freedom and self discovery. I will never forget the kindness and support that I received here, it was my salvation.
If you are struggling to get sober or stay sober, please never give up. I can honestly say that I do not miss drinking. In the early days, I thought I would never make it to 3 days, 3 weeks, 3 months.....it does get better and it does get easier. Drinking is no longer a daily, weekly or monthly thought. Alcohol is now just something they sell at the store that I don't like or want to buy. It no longer owns me.
Today is not only my 3 year sobriety date, it is also my birthday. I now have the freedom to really celebrate my life, how I have grown as an individual and how I want to continue living a life of happiness and peace. I hope that each of you find the serenity that you deserve, the ability to forgive yourself, and the strength to love yourself unconditionally. You are worth the fight, and so was I.
With love and complete gratitude,
Wildflower70
It's been a long time since I've posted, life has certainly been strange this past year. I am so happy to report that I am 3 years sober today. I came here years ago, broken and beaten down from the aftermath of 30 years of drinking. Sober Recovery helped me find my way, a path to freedom and self discovery. I will never forget the kindness and support that I received here, it was my salvation.
If you are struggling to get sober or stay sober, please never give up. I can honestly say that I do not miss drinking. In the early days, I thought I would never make it to 3 days, 3 weeks, 3 months.....it does get better and it does get easier. Drinking is no longer a daily, weekly or monthly thought. Alcohol is now just something they sell at the store that I don't like or want to buy. It no longer owns me.
Today is not only my 3 year sobriety date, it is also my birthday. I now have the freedom to really celebrate my life, how I have grown as an individual and how I want to continue living a life of happiness and peace. I hope that each of you find the serenity that you deserve, the ability to forgive yourself, and the strength to love yourself unconditionally. You are worth the fight, and so was I.
With love and complete gratitude,
Wildflower70
Member
Join Date: Dec 2020
Posts: 21
What an incredibly uplifting and inspiring post. Thank you for sharing and congratulations on 3 years that is a long long time!!!!
I see that you had a couple of slow starts even at 6 months a while back which I’m sure we all did…..I definitely did. What made it stick for good this time if you don’t mind me asking?
PS Happy birthday!
I see that you had a couple of slow starts even at 6 months a while back which I’m sure we all did…..I definitely did. What made it stick for good this time if you don’t mind me asking?
PS Happy birthday!
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Phoenix
Posts: 1,189
For me, the difference this time was that I stayed away from the major triggers that kept me in the drinking cycle:
1) My dysfunctional family - I didn't visit for nearly 2 years, my brother is a heavy drinker
2) Going to functions that served booze - this included bars, parties or friends that drank
3) Dating...this one was huge. I associated drinking with dating/intimacy my entire life.
Now at 3 years I have:
1) Gone to see my family once and even stayed with my brother. (I felt sorry for him and his alcoholic wife)
2) Feel more comfortable being around friends that drink or places that serve booze (It doesn't bother me)
3) Gone on a few dates and realized that I am more fun sober! (I still struggle with intimacy, but that will come)
For the past 3 years I never forced myself to do anything that I wasn't ready for, no matter what others thought. I put my needs (sobriety) first and that made all the difference.
1) My dysfunctional family - I didn't visit for nearly 2 years, my brother is a heavy drinker
2) Going to functions that served booze - this included bars, parties or friends that drank
3) Dating...this one was huge. I associated drinking with dating/intimacy my entire life.
Now at 3 years I have:
1) Gone to see my family once and even stayed with my brother. (I felt sorry for him and his alcoholic wife)
2) Feel more comfortable being around friends that drink or places that serve booze (It doesn't bother me)
3) Gone on a few dates and realized that I am more fun sober! (I still struggle with intimacy, but that will come)
For the past 3 years I never forced myself to do anything that I wasn't ready for, no matter what others thought. I put my needs (sobriety) first and that made all the difference.
Member
Join Date: Nov 2018
Posts: 5,169
Originally Posted by wildflower70 
For me, the difference this time was that I stayed away from the major triggers that kept me in the drinking cycle:
Member
Join Date: Sep 2021
Posts: 611
Originally Posted by wildflower70
Hello SR,
It's been a long time since I've posted, life has certainly been strange this past year. I am so happy to report that I am 3 years sober today. I came here years ago, broken and beaten down from the aftermath of 30 years of drinking. Sober Recovery helped me find my way, a path to freedom and self discovery. I will never forget the kindness and support that I received here, it was my salvation.
If you are struggling to get sober or stay sober, please never give up. I can honestly say that I do not miss drinking. In the early days, I thought I would never make it to 3 days, 3 weeks, 3 months.....it does get better and it does get easier. Drinking is no longer a daily, weekly or monthly thought. Alcohol is now just something they sell at the store that I don't like or want to buy. It no longer owns me.
Today is not only my 3 year sobriety date, it is also my birthday. I now have the freedom to really celebrate my life, how I have grown as an individual and how I want to continue living a life of happiness and peace. I hope that each of you find the serenity that you deserve, the ability to forgive yourself, and the strength to love yourself unconditionally. You are worth the fight, and so was I.
With love and complete gratitude,
Wildflower70
It's been a long time since I've posted, life has certainly been strange this past year. I am so happy to report that I am 3 years sober today. I came here years ago, broken and beaten down from the aftermath of 30 years of drinking. Sober Recovery helped me find my way, a path to freedom and self discovery. I will never forget the kindness and support that I received here, it was my salvation.
If you are struggling to get sober or stay sober, please never give up. I can honestly say that I do not miss drinking. In the early days, I thought I would never make it to 3 days, 3 weeks, 3 months.....it does get better and it does get easier. Drinking is no longer a daily, weekly or monthly thought. Alcohol is now just something they sell at the store that I don't like or want to buy. It no longer owns me.
Today is not only my 3 year sobriety date, it is also my birthday. I now have the freedom to really celebrate my life, how I have grown as an individual and how I want to continue living a life of happiness and peace. I hope that each of you find the serenity that you deserve, the ability to forgive yourself, and the strength to love yourself unconditionally. You are worth the fight, and so was I.
With love and complete gratitude,
Wildflower70
Member
Join Date: Dec 2020
Posts: 21
Thanks for the reply. My older brother is an active alcoholic and I have been avoiding seeing him which makes me feel selfish and guilty. I also have avoided old drinking buddies and some bachelor parties but I’m trying to put sobriety first. Again congrats on 3 years hopefully I’ll get there too….one day at a time.
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Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Upstate New York
Posts: 51,569
A lovely post, wildflower. I'm so glad you came here years ago to acknowledge what was going on & seek encouragement.
Congratulations on your 3 yrs. of freedom & enjoy your birthday.
Congratulations on your 3 yrs. of freedom & enjoy your birthday.
Member
Join Date: Sep 2021
Posts: 611
Originally Posted by wildflower70
For me, the difference this time was that I stayed away from the major triggers that kept me in the drinking cycle:
1) My dysfunctional family - I didn't visit for nearly 2 years, my brother is a heavy drinker
2) Going to functions that served booze - this included bars, parties or friends that drank
3) Dating...this one was huge. I associated drinking with dating/intimacy my entire life.
Now at 3 years I have:
1) Gone to see my family once and even stayed with my brother. (I felt sorry for him and his alcoholic wife)
2) Feel more comfortable being around friends that drink or places that serve booze (It doesn't bother me)
3) Gone on a few dates and realized that I am more fun sober! (I still struggle with intimacy, but that will come)
For the past 3 years I never forced myself to do anything that I wasn't ready for, no matter what others thought. I put my needs (sobriety) first and that made all the difference.
1) My dysfunctional family - I didn't visit for nearly 2 years, my brother is a heavy drinker
2) Going to functions that served booze - this included bars, parties or friends that drank
3) Dating...this one was huge. I associated drinking with dating/intimacy my entire life.
Now at 3 years I have:
1) Gone to see my family once and even stayed with my brother. (I felt sorry for him and his alcoholic wife)
2) Feel more comfortable being around friends that drink or places that serve booze (It doesn't bother me)
3) Gone on a few dates and realized that I am more fun sober! (I still struggle with intimacy, but that will come)
For the past 3 years I never forced myself to do anything that I wasn't ready for, no matter what others thought. I put my needs (sobriety) first and that made all the difference.
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Join Date: Oct 2012
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