25/10/2024
A long-time friend of mine kindly gave me permission to share a recent post she made on Facebook on the anniversary of her sobriety from alcohol. She makes a post every year on her anniversary and, every year, it inspires me. If this post speaks to you, please reach out to me or to someone. I don't treat substance use disorder but if you reach out to me, I'll do my best to connect you to resources that may help you on your journey of recovery.
Here is her story:
October. My favourite month. Halloween, pumpkins, fall colors, crisp mornings! But, you know what time it is!!! Don’t read if you don’t want to, read if you like 🙂 I only share my story so others that are or were in my shoes can know that it is POSSIBLE, life can be so wonderful 🙂
17 years ago today I had my last drink. My last black out. My last not remembering what I did. My last lost feeling. My last night of despair.
Every year this day means more and more to me. Tomorrow, I have been 17 years sober! That’s a whooping 6209 days without a drink. Feels like a life time ago. To say my life has changed is an understatement.
I never ever drank ‘normally’. The idea of having a couple drinks was something I never got. To me, why have one or two? It wasn’t always bad. But the longer it went on, the more control I lost. I was going to loose everything. I drank to numb my feelings. I drank until I couldn’t possibly feel or drink anymore.
Every year is better. Every year creates more of a barrier. Every year my life gets better. Every year I am thankful.
Thankful my family stuck by me. Thankful my husband stuck by me. Thankful that some of my friends could see past the s**t I threw at them. I’ll forever be thankful for [person]. While we were in treatment for an eating disorder, she walked with me to my first ever AA meeting. And although she didn’t have a drinking problem, she made sure I got the help I needed. With the right professionals I was on my way. A therapist, a 30day AADAC program, AA and the help of friends and my family. If you ever think you can’t, I’m here to tell you that YOU CAN. If you WANT a different life, a better existence, you can. It’s bluddy hard, there’s no sugar coating it. And when you feel all those feelings you’ve been tucking deep down inside for so long it sucks. But if you want a different life, a better life, it is possible! I’m living proof.
Today I can proudly shout from the roof tops that I am a recovering alcoholic. I have nothing to hide. I have scars both mentally and physically. This disease is not embarrassing, it is deadly. If I can help just one person, this post is worth it.
I’m a better daughter, wife, friend and mother. I’m a mother who was lucky enough that my kids only know of their mom as a ‘recovering alcoholic’. I’m so very grateful that I’ve been given another chance at life!
Here’s to another sober hour!!!
