In the first year of sobriety the 12 Step program which I attended handed out chips as markers of sober time during the first year. The program gives out chips at 1, 2, 3, 6 & 9 months. At 1 year there is a “Birthday” celebration where the birthday girl or boy’s sponsor and others who were active in their recovery say nice things about them and reflect upon the journey to date. These birthday celebrations continue each year but oh it’s often a long time between a celebration…
I can remember desperately looking forward to receiving my 1 month chip, this desire of mine to receive one kept me sober many a time during that first excruciating month. The same can be said for months 2 & 3 although less so for me. By the 6th month I realized I wasn’t waiting anymore, I wasn’t marking the days in the same way. I was beginning to become comfortable in my sobriety and was focusing upon building my spiritual foundation rather than counting time.
Don’t get me wrong time marking is a very important thing to me, as each day comes to a close I can be found thanking God for X days of sobriety. I am very aware of how close I came to losing myself to booze, because I realize the risk alcoholism is to me I will forever do my best to remain mindful and actively battle this disease.
Today I am 2.5 years sober!!!
There is no organized celebration and I had almost forgotten until driving in the car yesterday I was blaring to my Pink CD and her song Sober came on. This song was very important to me in my early sobriety. I had no idea of who I would be without alcohol in my life, it had become such an integral part of who I was and how I dealt with life. I remember searching around for famous people I admired who were sober and I took hope in Pink’s sobriety at the time.
Pink’s song Sober hits home on so many levels for me, back then I played it throughout the day to remind myself it was possible to be “cool” and not drink. Now I listen to it to remind myself of where I’ve been and where I don’t want to return to.
Today I thank God, my family & friends, my 12 Step program and yes I thank Pink for reminding this old bird it’s cool to be sober!
In true Julie style I am going to celebrate like a rock star! Ok so it will be in the fashion of an aging rock star but it’s a FABULOUS day to be grateful!
20 Responses
Awesome stuff. Congrats. I am hitting 2 years on aug23. I remember thinking … How do I live without alcohol? Now, I can’t imagine living any other way but sober. I found for myself, I became the true, deep down person, I have always wanted to be. I love who I am and yes, sober doesn’t suck, It Rocks.
CONGRATS.
Thanks Doreen, God is so good!
So incredibly awesome!!! Congrats on your 2.5 years!! :) I am so happy that you are continuing on your journey of sobriety… I too, had no idea how I would function without alcohol (and other stuff) but I am doing just fine a little over six years in. My life gets more awesome every day!
Doreen, congrats to you too!! :)
We’ll keep trekking this adventure called sobriety… one day at a time.
Darlene
You’re right Darlene, we only have today and thank God we do
Congrats on staying with it and I love to read that you were too busy working on your program to be obsessed with counting down the time. The fog clears. It does, doesn’t it? I remember going to a meeting because I was afraid I’d eat something Italian and that would cause a ‘slip’ since Merlot was my drink of choice… the insanity.
Good post.
Oh Heidi you brought back some memories with that, I’d forgotten my worries with food!!!
Hi! I’m visiting from Social Fabric, and what a great post to be introduced to you. Congratulations on your sobriety. My mother is currently in rehab, about 6 weeks sober, and I look forward to sharing in her happiness when she gets to where you are now. Your site seems like a very uplifting resource…for her and me. Thank you for sharing your accomplishment with us!
Hey Brandi it’s going to be GREAT getting to know you. I love your blog as well. I’ll be praying for your Mom, she’s in the right place to make the massive changes in her life. Blessings to you and the journey you’re on with her
I just had to let you know that you’ve been listed here: http://www.kwikmed.org/20-exceptional-alcohol-addiction-resources/ CONGRATS!
This is the blurb: ”
This personal account is by a young mother of two who finds strength in her faith and is keen to share her story to help others. She writes a regular blog, which often includes accounts of other people at various stages of their journeys towards sobriety. Anyone is invited to submit their story and join this supportive online community.
Julie also blogs about her faith and the challenges it presents, as well as personal reflections on her life and her family. This makes for an interesting, though not especially informative reading and could well provide some much-needed inspiration to readers struggling with the same issues. Julie also lists a series of ‘mocktails’ on the site – alcohol-free cocktails to make at home.”
High five, girl!
whoohoooo how awesome is that!!!!
Congratulations Julie on reaching this wonderful milestone…you deserve a huge amount of credit, keep up the good work!!
Thank you for the love Monica, I give all the credit to God…..there’s no way I could have done it by myself!
What an accomplishment!! Cheering for you from afar, keep it up that is amazing!
Congrats, sister! Luv ya! You are so dang awesome! XOXOX
Congrats Julie, I love this post! I am living my life drug and alcohol free. It’s been 2 years since I’ve been drug free from narcotics which almost ruined my life and I don’t share with others because it’s such a touchy thing for me. I think it’s wonderful how open you are about your sobriety and the milestones you are passing. Keep up the great work babe! Luv ya :)
congratulations on this milestone – and I wish you luck on the future days
congratulations! That is so awesome!!!!
Good for you Julie. You are an inspiration to many :)
I am the adult child of an alcoholic. ALl my formative years have some pretty negative memories so in grade 12 i made he decision that would never be me. There are some who believe that alcoholism can be genetic. I don’t know if that holds any merit, but I decided I wasn’t going to be a guinea pig and find out. So I don’t drink. Ever. It has been 19 years.
Thank-you for staying sober for yourself and your kids. They won’t know to thank-you for it because they won’t know the pain they missed. But trust me when I say they would thank-you if they knew.
Congrats! What a wonderful milestone.
2.5 years is an incredible milestone!