How Does One Get 9 Years of Sobriety?
It may sound cliche but, trust me, it’s done one day at a time!! I grappled early in sobriety with the thought of never drinking again. Others told me, “just don’t drink today.”
My journey to my sobriety date started April of 2011. I had a strong desire to quit but had more reasons not to. I had been what they call a 'functioning alcoholic' for most of my life. This means that after years of drinking, I had managed to figure out how to drink a liter of brandy plus several bottles of wine a day and keep functioning. My drinking started probably before you even got out of bed and went until I crawled into bed at night. By 2011, I felt like I was living in hell and quite honestly I welcomed death more then I did another day of life.
Because of my desire to quit, I chose on my own to attend a local AA group. The best group of people I will ever meet. They handed me the AA bible and instructed me to read it and just follow it. Seems pretty straight forward doesn't it. This is where my relationship with GOD got serious. Was I willing to let go of everything and let him handle it? Seems crazy easy. This is all GOD asks of any of us. Just let him do his job.
I'll be honest. I cried like no other person on this planet while trying to learn to let go of just drinking. Due to a horrible situation, on this day back in 2011, I told myself enough. I can fight the Devil without the Alcohol. And I walked away from it. I throw away every bottle we had. This of course made my husband upset. BUT in the end it needed to happen. They (family/spouses) don't take you seriously until you finally take a stand.
It took a little over 3 months for me to dry up. I had headaches and memory loss. Basically quiting drinking meant that I would be starting my life over. After doctor visits they felt it would take 5 years for just the alcohol to leave my body. They were right. I could feel the changes and slowly the memories have all come back.
For my first 4 years of sobriety, my only support system was that AA group and the bible. There is no easy way to recovery. You must do the work and you must have the faith. Sobriety is not for the weak. It's for the warriors willing to destroy the Devil and all of his stupid games. It's being able to stand your ground, have boundaries and if need be - tell family members enough to enough.
Most of all - It's doing the work one day at a time, every day of my life. I read and reread the 'BIG BOOK.' I pray and mediate. And if something or someone is bothering me I address it and fix it right away. Nothing is left undone or unresolved.
If you have somehow found your way to this page and are struggling, get to good group. There are many out there. Find someone in that group to meet with you and support you. These people are not to be your Best buddies - they are there to get you on the right path and tell you some hard things about yourself that you are not seeing. You can do it - Be a warrior.
Best of Luck - Nancy
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