r/MadeMeSmile • u/Ok_Ebb_3344 • 23d ago
Personal Win Celebrating 8 years alcohol free today! 🙌 [OC]
Summer of 2018 was a wake up call for me. Waking up with last night‘s makeup on, realizing I lost my wallet (again), and seeing that I drunk texted an ex was no longer cute at 26 (or maybe it never was). Fast forward to summer of 2026, living a life that feels more authentically me. Giving up alcohol was the greatest gift I could give myself.
Edit: holy moly, I certainly did not think this post would blow up like it did! Thank you for all the well-wishes, you kind internet strangers.
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u/Lainie7 23d ago
Congratulations!! I'm 8 year free too. Feels amazing doesn't it? Love your cat 👊
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u/bjohnsonarch 23d ago
Woohoo! Nice job friend! April 19, 2018 is my date. Congrats to all who continue to fight the fight!
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u/UnassumingOstrich 23d ago
2018 sober gang!! mine was yesterday 🎉 9/23/18
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u/wap2005 23d ago
Congratulations! I'm a year behind you all but it's an awesome place to be 8/30/2019
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u/GatsNCats 23d ago
Same! Living life!
Edit: meant to type loving but I guess living fits here, too.
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u/gunnerbiga 23d ago
Congratulations! I'm close to a year myself. It came to easy drinking and didn't care for it anymore.
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u/UnassumingOstrich 23d ago
be sure to celebrate yourself on your big first anniversary!! proud of you!!!! celebrated 8 years yesterday after over a decade of active opioid addiction. you got this 💖💖
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u/gunnerbiga 23d ago
I'm glad you kicked that addiction and am happy you are here! I will keep that in mind thank you!
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u/Ok_Phone9529 23d ago
Keep up the good work! ♥️
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u/gunnerbiga 23d ago
Thank you! I will do my best! I feel so much better without it
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u/Ok_Phone9529 23d ago
More money for kitties!
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u/NilocStros55 23d ago
Cat is so cute too!
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u/ConservativeSexparty 23d ago
It should be, it's been alcohol free for 8 years today! I bet the owner is so proud
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u/doughheart 23d ago
went sober for a year and then decided to drink for 1 special occasion, which turned into several special occasions, then back to socially and regularly, which then eventually lead to an event that flipped my entire life upside down. started again in may. what an inspiration, way to go OP! so so proud of you!
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u/annric08 23d ago
Pretty much what happened to me except my life didn’t flip upside down. Just another horrific hangover and hangxiety looking through my phone to see what I did the night before. It’s such a slippery slope for my addict brain - one that I’m never going down again!
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u/viceversa 23d ago
Congrats! Proud of you! 👏
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u/DakkaDakka24 23d ago
Put down the problem, pick up the cat. We could all stand to follow her example, and the world would be a better place.
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u/Delybe 23d ago
Working towards 3 years myself.
Congratulations 🎉🎉
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u/Rowan_River 23d ago
Congratulations! For me the alcohol made my bad days worse and I still have bad days but not like before. You should be proud, I'm happy for you! Keep on truckin
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u/-Silent-Stalker- 23d ago
You’re so beautiful and I’m so proud of you!! I come from a family of alcholics so seeing someone conquer theirs is beautiful.
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u/Kind_Rate7529 23d ago
Even though you don't know me I would still like to say that I am very proud of you. Any time I see posts like this it's a bitter sweet thing as I lost my beautiful daughter two years ago to cirrhosis. She was 40 years old and I wasn't even aware she had a drinking problem until near the end when she reached out for help but it was medically too late. You are a super hero in my book.
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u/h3lium-balloon 23d ago
Coming up on 2 years in a couple of weeks. Congrats for figuring it out in your 20s, that’s huge. Took me until late 30s to realize me and alcohol don’t work well together.
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u/Entire-Bath-2891 23d ago
Always a source of inspiration when a young person quits and congrats. I'm 67 and struggled with alcohol my entire adult life.
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u/Choice-Quantity-6167 23d ago
Way to go, OP!
I'm just over two years sober and can definitely say that I've never been happier, and I'm never going back.
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u/wap2005 23d ago
Congratulations! I hit 7 years last month and it really is a gift being sober, I never thought it would actually be something I eventually preferred till I gave it an honest try. Was miserable at the start but after 2-3 years everything was just better, and so much easier. Life no longer feels like I'm fighting a current.
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u/mjrydsfast231 23d ago
Congratulations to you. My mom was AA back in the early 1980's. She's never fallen off the wagon and now she just turned 80 five years old.
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u/Street_Ad_1683 22d ago
So happy for you!😭 you look so happy and your cat does too! Tell your cat I said pspsps
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u/tosspron 23d ago
Why does this comment read like it was written by AI?
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u/TheJinsuGuy 23d ago
That's genuinely an excellent observation — the comment you refer to contains several hallmarks that indicate it may have been written with the aid of an LLM. It doesn't just whisper "I'm a bot", it shouts it from the rooftops! 😂
/s i fucking hate the clanker writing style
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u/This_Bitch_Overhere 23d ago
As a dad, I am so happy for you for making a decision that is right for your life! I wish you all the best in the future. IWNDWYT
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u/Bogus_5050 23d ago
Great job! Keep it up. Gets easier as time goes on. I’ll be 16 years sober in December.
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u/trammerman 22d ago
You are glowing, congratulations!
This made my day. I don’t know you, but I’m proud of you.
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u/Fragrant-Poo42 23d ago
Hol up. Tell us more about this glorious creature please. Congratulations on the sobriety!! But……. cat.
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u/yearsofpractice 23d ago
Congratulations! I’m 50 with three years of sobriety.
It’s tough to start with, but then just gets better and better, doesn’t it?
Sobriety truly delivers what alcohol promises!
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u/richardricahrdesq 23d ago
well done you! what an amazing achievement. So pleased you life is more fulfilled and content. I can take inspiration - i am 3 months sober and absolutely loving it - spent best part of 20 years kidding myself it was fun but turned out it really wasnt. Casn't see myself ever going back no i have found zero guiness - what a game changer
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u/youneedsomemilk23 23d ago
Great job. It's really such a gift you give yourself when you realize your relationship with alcohol is taking more than it's giving.
I've limited drinking to a few times a year and opt for mocktails or Diet Coke at social events. It's been so helpful for my mood stability, and being the sober person at work events has also been such a great idea - too many of my colleagues have completely embarrassed themselves over an open bar.
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u/skotcgfl 23d ago
I hit my low point and quit drinking in July of '25 at 38 years old. Now I feel like I'm 29 again.
IWNDWYT
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u/Pretend-Coffee3040 23d ago
Congratulations. If you can conquer this, then you can conquer anything. My dad was raging alcoholic so I know. You can see how much healthier you look and your skin is glowing
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u/Immediate_Branch_238 23d ago
Haven't had a drink in a good few years now. I do not miss it at all.
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u/BeneficialLet9058 23d ago
Congratulations! That’s a huge achievement. You deserve the good things coming to you ma’am. Your smile is gorgeously contagious.
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u/happyyellowbean 23d ago
Congratulations!! This summer marked my 4th year, and what a rewarding journey it’s been! To many more!
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u/queefersutherland1 23d ago
So proud of you!
You choose yourself everyday and that’s amazing.
In March I’ll be celebrating three years.
Keep on keeping on. ❤️
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u/923kjd 23d ago
Congratulations! Coming up on one year myself. It’s a great feeling, isn’t it? Wish I hadn’t waited so long to decide to quit.
Wishing strength to those who struggle to quit. I was fortunate in that despite how much I drank, addiction was clearly (now in hindsight) not something I had to deal with.
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u/curlycatsockthing 23d ago
this is so fookin awesome 🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
you are so powerful
i’ve been sober since Jan 7!!
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u/whoa_itsanavalanche 23d ago
Used to be quite the boozer myself, it is no easy feat overcoming it but you should be very proud. You look so happy! Sincere best wishes and here's to 8 MORE years my friend
Edited for spelling, whoops
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u/Beneficial_Layer2583 23d ago
Amazing work! You look beautiful, healthy and happy. Raise a mocktail to many more sober years.
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u/seoras13 23d ago
The 8 years sober picture looks 8 years you ger than the drinker picture. Well done, impressive 👍
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u/NopeThisTrope 23d ago
Congratulations! The greatest superpower is taking back your life. Well done
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u/NotLostDontGiveUp 23d ago
What a smile! Amazing achievement. It takes a lot of courage and strength. Best wishes for the future...stay true to yourself.
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u/Anonymoose_1106 23d ago
Congratulations! Proud of you - I know how hard it is. Here's to many more; before you know it you'll be counting decades of sobriety.
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u/DesperateStudent6926 23d ago
8 years is incredible. Congratulations! 🥹👏 You can really see how proud and happy you are. Wishing you many more years of this life you’ve built for yourself.
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u/EnzoMcFly_jr 23d ago
Congrats! Just hit four recently myself and it’s one of the best things I’ve ever done for myself.
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u/Street-Yoghurt3945 23d ago
Congratulations on the 8 years! What you've learned about yourself, the world, and others and of course about your cat, must be worth more than the gold in Fort Knox! I'm hitting 2 months in a week, and I still am adjusting to it all. I hope to be able to provide an update in 8 years with my cat too!
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u/its_frndly 23d ago
Congrats! Keep it going. It’s nearly 3 1/2 years now for me and it’s been the best decision of my life. Life is so much better without it :)
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u/ZaphodBeeblebrox4011 23d ago
Hellz yeah sister! Keep living your best life. I'm at 5 years and my life is immeasurably better too. Give the fluffy cat a squeeze for me.
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u/Sufficient-Lion9639 23d ago
I’ve been free for over 20, and life looks real and prettier, my social life took a hit but, oh well… best decision ever!
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u/HinkenderHuster 23d ago
First read 8 years school free and was like: yeah, I feel that. Congrats on being free of alcohol also.
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u/ElusiveDoodle 23d ago
One step at a time. Keep it up you can do this!
And as you are seeing, it definitely is worth it.
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u/bubbagump101 23d ago
I’m so jealous. I’ve been trying to kick it for a long time.
Good for you and congratulations. Keep it up. There’s nothing there except for the bottom of a bottle.
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u/sully-_-420 23d ago
Congrats. I'll be 4 years sober on sunday so I know how tough it Is. Good effort and keep it up 💪
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u/Beemantrucker 23d ago
Love the smile!!!! And congratulations!!!! You will never regret that choice.
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u/donkeyknuckles 23d ago
Congrats OP! I'll hit 8 years in November. Can't wait to see your 9 years post next year!
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u/TayTayFierce 23d ago
Not to sound condescending but I am proud of you! I gave up alcohol two years three months and some odd days ago and it was also the greatest gift I could give myself and it was not an easy thing for you or I to do I bet as this world we live in is full of people that feel like they need to drink to fit in or drink to feel better and so alcohol is around everywhere. I am so happy for you and the life you are living alcohol free. I know that I do not know you but I realize the determination hard work and resilience that it takes to remain alcohol free. as someone that used to depend on alcohol to help with my emotions or just feel like I had to drink it every night it is something that doesn’t even seem appealing to me anymore and I have loved ones who struggle with it and know they need to quit but can’t but I also know that you cannot make a person quit that they have to be ready and wanting to themselves and after having friends and people that I have cared for get killed in alcohol related accidents or die from alcohol induced medical conditions I realize that after getting sober just how ugly of a drug it is and it’s scary how easily accessible it is.
Keep going girl you’re doing amazing and happy eight years of sobriety you are absolutely beautiful!
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u/JonathanPeerHost 23d ago
Congrats on 8 years! 🙌 The part about feeling more like yourself really hit home. I’m over 30 years sober, and I’m still grateful I gave myself that chance. Happy for you!
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u/UnassumingOstrich 23d ago
ahhh we almost share our clean date!!! mine was 8 years ago yesterday 💖🎉 congrats sister!!! we do recover!!!
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u/Thedoctor2o 23d ago
I’m going on six years…..besides one time at a hibachi restaurant when the cook squirted sake in my mouth.
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u/Consistent-Thanks924 23d ago
CONGRATULATIONS 🎉🎈!!!! Keep up the hard work and best wishes for a long, healthy and happy life♥️
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u/Pucksbro 23d ago
Nice job, congratulations!! I’m at like 6.5 years myself. So glad I made the decision to stop all those years ago.
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u/DinkyPrincess 23d ago
Love this for you. You look amazing. I also stopped a few years ago. Life is so much lighter.
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u/Angry0tter 23d ago
So good! And such a pretty cat! I’m about to hit two months free and I don’t even miss it. Proud of you.
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u/aeropagitica 23d ago
Congratulations on your anniversary! You have a lovely cat in your 'now' photo! <3
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u/Bastard_Beef 23d ago
Your strength is showing through in your presence, I’m so proud of you! Happy and healthy looks amazing on you :)
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u/Forgotmyaccount1979 23d ago
The miracle of wine into cats is less documented, but honestly much more impressive than water into wine.
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u/kdweller 23d ago
Congratulations 🎈 Well done! I’m coming up on 11 years and life is so much better. ❤️
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u/Ok_Panic_6998 23d ago
I have two of those!
Looks like she could be a sibling to my flame point raggies
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u/gavbus142 23d ago
I’ve just hit 9 months sober after health scare. So cool 😎 you reached 8 years and continuing. Your smile is amazing 🤩
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u/Inevitable-Day-5935 23d ago
Congratulations on your beautiful recovery wishing all the best in the future.
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u/Due-Communication767 23d ago
Congratulations! Your smile shows how proud of yourself you are and it’s an amazing accomplishment!
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u/Plus-Actuary9069 23d ago
Eight years without alcohol is something else. Back when I stopped, the biggest surprise was how much money I suddenly had left over each month. It's funny how those little changes add up over time. Did you notice similar small wins along the way?
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u/GatsNCats 23d ago
Being alcohol free is such a great life hack! I’m sure your cat thanks you! Wishing you a long and healthy life. Congrats!
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u/Heroinkirby 23d ago
Congratulations! That's the part people don't talk about enough. Sometimes the shear embarrassment of waking up and realizing what you did the night before can be the wake up call people need to stop drinking
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u/3030-2026 23d ago
Congrats to you! I hit 10 years over Labor Day weekend. Such a simpler life without booze. Cheers (soft drink style 🤪).
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u/v0-z 23d ago
Congratulations!
I've done stints like 3 months, 6 months, a year, and now I'm back to 3 months. The reason I always go back to it as someone on the spectrum and w/ ADHD it's almost nauseating for me to be out in social events without alcohol, so basically when I'm sober I just don't go out, as anytime I do I just leave within minutes.
Been trying to find a way to cope without it, but in the end I just don't go out. 😭
So I know how tough it can be, so 8 years is huge. Congrats
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u/celestialmechanic 23d ago
Very cool! I’ve got around 4 1/2 totally sober. Keep on rockin!
Whatever method you used worked. 🤘😎
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u/Inspirational_orgasm 23d ago
Congratulations 🎉 Trading alcohol for another debilitating addiction: cats.
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u/Kojak_11th_Precinct 23d ago
Congratulations. We all have two lives, the second one begins when we know that we only have one. You chose wisely and your life is much happier.
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u/LupeH 23d ago
Im about 16 days or so with alcohol. Waking up with a slight headache and heavy eyes was always annoying. I am enjoying waking up without those symptoms
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u/GivingThisAGo2 23d ago
Congratulations to you, you look so happy! 5 more days and I will be at 5 years! Still taking it one day at a time and feeling better than ever. Keep going strong :-)
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u/LessThanHero42 23d ago
Her fairy godmother's spell wore off and the drink glass turned back into a cat.
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u/Florideal 23d ago
Well done and glad you realized it so early. You look fabulous and SO much happier in the now picture!
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u/whatisaidwas 23d ago
Taking my (adult) daughter to treatment (again) next Monday, hoping this time works 🙏🏼 Congratulations and ALL the best to you!! 👏🏼👏🏼
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