Four years - So lucky to have quit when I did
 

I quit at the end of a holiday on the last day of 2018. No real reason for that date, but I’m so lucky I quit when I did. Since quitting, both parents died, then came Covid (which affected all of us) and the biggest bombshell was my wife leaving. It’s not truly terrible compared to what a lot of people go through, but it’d be a testing time for most, and the drinking version of me would’ve fared terribly.

My dad died when I was 8 months sober, and that produced a full blown craving which luckily I didn’t act on. Since then, minor cravings pop up, but these vanish within seconds.

But so much good stuff has happened too. As a drinker, I was a miserable git. Now I’m way way more positive and have masses of energy. I do gym and triathlons and have a nice side hustle as a science teacher. I could barely do a day job as a drinker.

I’m 53, and the thought of trying to date again was terrifying. But I’ve just spent Xmas with an amazing person. I’ve had to pinch myself. I’m not the sort of person who meets people like that! A massive factor in all this is the way I’ve changed since I stopped drinking. This latest development has left me walking around in a daze.

And I was once the person who made excuses about needing to drink to relax. I was an obese wreck, literally good for nothing. I told my new partner about my previous drinking and how it made me negative and unpleasant, and her face fell. I wouldn’t have got a look in as a drinker. ​​​​​

Given up alcohol is the gift that just goes on and on.What an opportunity to be at our best.

:). Huge congrats on four years sober!! :scoregood

Congratulations Hodd.

Bloody marvelous!

Thank you for your post Hodd. 4 years is wonderful :nyy

Congratulations Hodd :)

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Congrats, Hodd! So nice. 🎊🎈

Wonderful post, Hodd! Congratulations on your 4 yrs. & your new life of freedom.

Way to go!

Thanks for your contributions here, Hodd! You are an inspiration, and I appreciate your insight!

Congrats Hodd. 4 years is stupendous🎉🎈🎂!

Congratulations on 4 years of sobriety Hodd. You've done very well and life is looking up for you too. All the best :)

Congratulations Hodd. Im really happy or you. Have a great sober new years eve tonight.

We’re just a few days apart! Happy 4 year Soberversary Hodd! :bbj:

Awesome achievement:c014:

Well done, mate. I'm so happy for you. It must have been really hard to lose a parent so early in sobriety. Great news on the romance!

Congratulations on 4 years sober and a wonderful post. That’s real recovery right there! 🙏

Thanks everyone. Let’s hope the thanks button comes back from its Christmas break soon 🙂

“It must have been really hard to lose a parent so early in sobriety.”

Thanks bogler. We never know when these bad things will happen, so being long-term sober is so very important. Imagine if someone relapsed and was a few weeks into recovery when a family tragedy or similar occurred. Drinking would be almost a certainty. In my case, eight months meant I’d got out of the habit of drinking - but only just. Long-term sobriety (ideally forever) is the biggest weapon we have.

Congratulations Hodd, you've been through a very hard time but your post is lovely and positive and I'm so happy to hear you had a lovely Christmas :celebrate

Congratulations Hodd

just so you know, one bit of advice you posted many moons ago changed my whole approach to sobriety..and it stuck.

so thanks from me and a massive congrats to come through all the adversity intact.

Wow, thanks Haris. That’s humbling. What advice was that if you can remember? Glad you’re doing well .

Congratulations Hodd on all you have achieved. I'm still right behind you - only 6 hours to go until my 4 year anniversary!

All the best and Happy New Year. Forwards.