For the first time in 14 years I will be ONE year sober in 12/19/23 I’ve honestly been doing great, working on my health, got married in September to my soulmate of almost 10 years, my relationship with GOD is getting stronger…its going well but does anyone else feel extremely anxious about an upcoming sober mile stone? I have these mixed episodes of feeling like a fraud, feeling like I don’t deserve to be here and just fear or failure idk it’s hard to explain but my mind is restless and it’s started recently when I realized it was almost December. Tips? 🥹🙏🏼🫠
First of all, a huge congratulations for the clean time you’ve put together over the past 11+ months!
I celebrated one year clean in October and felt the same way in the weeks leading up to it. Two things specifically helped me stay focused on the positive and (as much as possible) avoid those thoughts of being a fraud, concerns I wouldn’t make it to 1 year without a relapse, etc.
First, focus on where you’re at right now. You sound like you’re working the program, and that work is paying dividends. And 11 months is a major accomplishment—something you should be proud of. Focus on the improvements you’ve seen in your life, thanks to your hard work and diligence for almost 50 weeks.
Second, take to heart the importance of taking recovery one day at a time. Try not to dwell on your upcoming anniversary—what matters today, and will matter again tomorrow and the day after is that, is working recovery to the best of your availability. The next 16 days are going to fly before you know it if every day between now and then you can go to bed each night having preserved your clean time by one more day.
Hope this helps! Congrats again—your achievements over the past 11+ months are worth being proud of!
Thank you Colin, I appreciate the encouraging words! Best of luck on your journey!
I’m four days in and I’m so looking forward to being where you are.. you’re no fraud.. you’re the real deal. Congratulations to you..
First of all congratulations! You are worthy of this. Shame is a major component of our addictions. Try to harbor none. Reflect on how far you’ve come and the person you have become during this journey. We all have imposter syndrome because of how society views addiction and the struggles related. But here amongst other addicts there should be no shame only support and healing. I’m at 9 months sober and can’t wait for my year and beyond. You have inspired me to keep going and to know a future struggle I might have. Good luck man! You’ve got this and you’ve had it all along!
Keep it up! This is the first time it’s stuck this long and hoping I can keep it up one day at a time! It’s worth it and will be hard but have faith you’re doing the right thing! It’s helpful for me anyways to get reassurance in communities like this so you don’t feel like you’re crazy! Best of luck brother!
Wow Gabe! Thank you so much needed that alot today! Positive reinforcement is so needed especially for me I’m not surrounded by a lot of people that real understand or had to have a personal experience with addiction so it’s so good to hear great things from others who on the same journey! You’re killing it!! The first 9 months were very hard! And I’m sure we will both have hard days ahead but we are both crushing it! And with your support and support from other addicts here I’m proud and I’m gonna scream from the rooftops on 12/19/23 when I am ONE YEAR sober for the first time since I was in 8th grade…2024 I’ll turn 36 we got this!