Not yet technically. In an hour and a half I will be 1 year sober. By the time you read this though I will be. I’m writing this to share my journey with all of you. My name is James and I am an alcoholic. Even now that I’m sober. I am and always will be. Every day I don’t drink is a blessing. Which is in itself a new concept to me. A year ago I was not walking the path I was meant to walk. Hell I was way off in the weeds. Though I still have miles to go I am at least on the path. The year has been hard. I have been in the grip of temptation. Door’s have also been opened. Results gained. Friends made. What does this have to do with Survival you ask? Everything.
Rock Bottom
No one ever admits defeat until their scrapping themselves off the floor. As it was with me. A year ago marked my rock bottom. I was stuck as a job I hated. I hardly ever posted on Survivalpunk. The site was dying when before I had so much momentum. I was overweight and unhealthy. I had a seven month long relationship crumbling around me. I was depressed and most of all I was drunk. Not all the time though. That’s how I justified it. I didn’t drink everyday like alcoholics. Oh but when I did drink I drank it all. Not until I blacked out was enough. Not until I had puked inside your couch and peed in your garage. Sorry Kyle. If I had not stopped when I did I was on track to be another drunk driver on the news. Changes were needed and so was help.
Change
So many things needed to change. I started going to AA meetings. At first I thought I could learn to drink responsible. LIke all drunks. I thought I could control the beast. I remember at one point planing a party when I got my one year chip. Who does that? I kept going though. I kept my ears open to what was being said. I kept coming back and kept not drinking. All the while making other changes. I committed t paleo 100%. Not more one again off again diet. The girl that was living with me had to go. She was young and wanted to have fun and party. I wanted more from her than she had to give. It hurt badly but I kicked her out. We have many memories together. We were drunk in them all. Shortly after getting sober I found crossfit. I honestly think crossfit have me the strength to stay sober. Each time I go I learn to push harder. I’ve made friends there that are wonderful. Weight came off and my body changed outwardly. Somewhere along the way I discovered faith and spirituality. I am not done yet. I’m still working on being a more grateful person. I know I am grateful for each and every one of you.
Survival
Not only did becoming sober save my life but possible others. There are 2 kinds of drunks in this world. Ones that drink and drive and ones that lie. One a long enough time line you will eventually crash. You will slowly destroy your body. Relationships will be ended. You will eventually end up in jail. Do you want to be locked up when The shit hits the fan? I know I sure don’t. It would be a death sentence. What about just being drunk during a disaster. Your thinking will be hindered along with your mobility. I choose to be done with alcohol all together now. That’s my choice for my safety and others. If you are one of the ones that can just have a drink good. If you can’t then these words are for you.
One Year Sober
Today I am going to my homestead to do some work. Later I’ll be making it to an AA meeting to collect a 1 year chip. One year sober is something I thought impossible. An impossible task. In less than an hour I will achieve it. Then I just have to keep being sober the next hour and the next.
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Congratulations! One day at a time.
Congratulations, brother! You’re doing great, so keep doing what you’re doing!
Can’t stop won’t stop!
It takes a strong man to admit what he is doing is wrong. It take a bigger stronger man to actually do something about it……..
You have done both. Congratulations
Thanks!
Congratulations! Sobriety is a wonderful guift, that I am grateful for every day.
Work those 12 Suggested
Live those 12 Traditions
Gain a working knowledge of those 12 Concepts of World Service.
You then have the Triangle of recovery.
I am grateful that I have been sober for 27 years, one day at a time.
keep up the good work!
Congratulations! You are a real!! man and an inspiration to everyone. Keep it up one day at a time. Thanks for all that you do.
Aww thanks
Well done sir. Not only have you helped yourself, you have and will help many others. Some of whom you dont know or even realize you are helping. Keep up the good work.
That was my hope the this post would help 1 person
Way to go! very happy for you!
Congratulations! May God give you the strength to continue on this path – one day at a time.
Congratulations on your strength, and for sharing your story with us. Now when I type this note, you are over a year sober. Well done.
How wonderful for you and those around you. Always remember that you lost days, months or years while drinking and you will never get them back….but you made a decision and as you made reference to…..you didn’t die or kill someone else while drinking and driving.
My dad died a drunk and he wasted his entire life and lost the respect of not only me, but the whole family and he became a laughing stock of the entire community. He never admitted that he was an alcoholic….the elephant in the living room.
Staying sober is never easy and I can’t imagine how hard it was and is. But you have completely changed all areas of your life. Know that your site has been an education for me….you are doing good work and just think of all the positive things you are sharing with all of us.
my dad was an alcoholic too and he never has a chance to change in his own.
My girlfriend was in the shoes you were in, but she did cocaine too. She’s been clean 15 plus years and there’s a very good chance you’ve seen her a a meeting in West Nashville or Ashland City. Now if I could just get it into her head nicotine is an addiction too!
Remember, the good sober people don’t want you to look up to us. We want you eye to eye on the same level. We all have challenges that require patience, persistence, and inner strength. We are all pursuing the righteousness within. Amen
Hahaha! I go to meetings in west nashville. I’m getting my chip in a few actually
Good on you for going sober, my friend. I had to do the same thing a few years back, and the first year is an enormous journey of self-discovery. It isn’t easy, but it’s definitely worth it.
Congratulations James! You are on the road to a great life. I have a son and daughter who have traveled this path, and I keep praying for them. I will add you to the list. It’s not easy, but well worth it!
Thanks for the prayers
Thank you. Messages are coming to me by methods I must believe that God is directing. Your message just gave me the last bit I guess I needed.
I’m glad you are receiving the messages. Good luck. Feel free to email me if you need to.
Congratulations on your one year! It’s Amazing.
I’m celebrating 1 year of being sober today. It was tough, but I am proud of myself. I knew that if I continued drinking I was in trouble. I drank every day for years. I can’t imagine the money that I spent and wasted on it. I was athletic, so blew it off as I’ll just work out and burn off all those calories. I knew that I would have to stop, but kept putting it off “until later”. The years kept going by. The later came with my wife telling me that she was pregnant with my first child. I stopped cold turkey. It was hard. I went through anxiety and stress for weeks and had the craving for months. I did this for my family and my daughter. I wanted to be a better man, husband and father. It was the birth of my amazing little daughter Grace that opened my eyes to see that my life was more than just my own. I knew my wife deserved better, and that my daughter deserves this. When I see her glowing little smile and hear her cooing it was all worth it.