r/stopdrinking • u/catsandcauliflower • 9h ago
11 years sober today!
Today I celebrate 11 years sober from alcohol!! Ahhh, the gratitude is oozing!
before I got sober, my life was a fucking wreck. My goal of drinking was to black out every time since it was the closest thing to dying without actually dying. I was so young when I started drinking heavily (just 15!) and spent the next 3 years in constant chaos. I was lonely & hurting with a pain I didn’t even understand how to process. I went to rehab for 30 days & relapsed shortly after I got out. I realized the rehab stint was for everyone else & not for me. Well, when I relapsed… I’m not sure what clicked but something did. I didn’t even finish the beer in my hand (shocking!) & decided in that moment, sitting on that curb outside, I never wanted to drink again.
I went to AA meetings literally all day for the first month. I’m talking I got dropped off at 8am & picked up at 10pm. I didn’t want to fail so I committed as hard as I could. Fast forward 11 years later & im engaged, I have two amazing tiny humans who changed my life for the better, I’m about to graduate with my masters degree in clinical mental health counseling with a 3.93 GPA & pursue a career as a therapist, and I’m happy. Even when life is low (and we know life be lifeing right?) I’m happy that I can experience it sober. My worst days sober are still better than my best days belligerently hammered. Feeling gratitude today. Thanks all 🤍
edit: wow! Thank you guys so much. I did not expect all this love, but it really means alot. I’m rooting for everyone in their healing journey!
3
u/bkabbott 1695 days 9h ago
Nice job. I'm glad you turned it around so early
3
u/catsandcauliflower 8h ago
Hey thank you! If I’m being honest, I saw how it destroyed my dad his entire time as my dad until he got sober before I did. I knew I couldn’t stop drinking then & figured I got a glimpse of what my life could be like if I continued. Wasn’t easy, especially when I turned 21 lol, but been worth it!
3
u/joebyrd3rd 2478 days 8h ago
Obviously it is no longer a train wreck. Congratulations on that and congratulations on not consuming ethyl alcohol for fun!!
2
3
u/notnowdews 13555 days 6h ago
Congrats, OP!! “Black out drunk was the closest thing to dying” hit me hard. Hugs to you and the family
2
2
2
2
u/Commercial-Mango-844 Day 3,165 8h ago
Yayyyy 11! You sound like me, I was way scared to fail so I did everything that was suggested lol. Thank goodness we did because it makes for some really awesome sobriety. Happy happy 11, sober parent⭐️
2
2
2
u/ClerkStraight7779 8h ago
This is truly so encouraging for so many reasons 🤍🥹 so proud of you!! Thank you for sharing!
2
2
2
2
2
u/Livewiremom 1886 days 7h ago
You are awesome! Congratulations on making those great choices. What an inspiration! ❤️
IWNDWYT❤️
2
u/OkIron6206 7h ago
Wow! What an achievement! Congratulations and thank you for sharing. Something to aspire to. IWNDWYT
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
1
u/phunklounge Day 365 4h ago
Congrats! You’re an inspiration! I hit my 1-year mark today. Words cannot describe the gratitude and the pride I feel. Bit of disbelief to be honest
1
1
u/EssayCautious 857 days 7h ago
Incredible story! Glad to hear you are now in the pursuit of helping others. We know that most of us in recovery make the best non-judgemental listeners bc we have experienced so much shame and done so many unthinkable things that we can provide some of the safest and softest landings for others. Please know this is your calling and you are going to make such a difference. Way to go and thank you for sharing what it can look like without this devil in our lives.
2
u/catsandcauliflower 4h ago
This touched my heart, thank you! My main goal every session is to provide that unconditional positive regard. I believe everyone deserves to feel valued when they’re at their most vulnerable. Please take care!
2
5
u/International_Key_20 6h ago
Congratulations. I'm two months sober. The joint pain is not a nice thank you but I'm still proud of myself.