Gloria's Alcohol Addiction Recovery Story: Two Years Sober - and so Far so Good

by Gloria

On the one hand it feels like yesterday that I was leaving treatment - and beginning my alcohol addiction recovery process - and on the other hand it feels like a life-time has passed with everything that has happened and the way my life has changed.

I remember an intense feeling of trepidation the day I left treatment - wondering how I would cope without the support, advice and encouragement I received from everyone at the treatment center I attended.

How was I going to survive without my 'crutch' of the last 10 years of my life? Was I really ready to face all the obstacles and challenges that life would no doubt throw me - and not turn to the bottle when things got tough to numb the pain and ease my anxieties?

So I just decided to follow the KISS (Keep It Simple Stupid) principle - and make sure I just do everything they suggested in treatment.

Go to meetings (I started off on 4 a week, but these days I only go once or twice), DO the steps, work with a sponsor and basically stay away from the people and places I spent a lot of my 'drinking' time with.

I'm not going to lie, it hasn't always been easy. I have my days where I feel like absolute shit, but even my worst days sober are better than my best days used to be as a drunk.

But you know what? It does get easier. These days I hardly ever think about having a drink. And my life is honestly so much better than it was in the dark days of my alcoholism.

Most importantly - I have a relationship with myself again. I'll probably never have this super-confidence that some people have and always have my insecurities - but I'm starting to be okay with that.

I've managed to go a long way to repairing many of the relationships I damaged, especially those with my precious daughter and parents. I still haven't quite found "Mr Right" - but what's the rush, right?

So if anyone does read this, I would just like to say that you deserve better than a life of addiction, whether it's alcohol, drugs or whatever. And I promise you, life is so much better sober than it is drunk or high.

I'm not sure what else to say, so thanks for letting me share.

Gloria