r/stopdrinking • u/catsandcauliflower • 17h 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!

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u/EssayCautious 857 days 15h 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.

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u/catsandcauliflower 12h 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! 

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u/EssayCautious 857 days 12h ago

That is what we all need! You are doing great!