I've never really been hung up on the how long you're sober dick measuring thing but recently I ran into someone who said "I've been sober 96 out of 97 days" and I'm like WTF does that mean?!?! If you drank this morning then you have zero days. Man up and own it.
Am I just being a dick and not giving partial credit?
Lol. Valid point.
Sometimes it’s a dick measuring thing for sure, but I think having a sobriety date is good for recovery. Not to compare yourself to others, but to have made a commitment to yourself. I’ve seen people come in and refuse to acknowledge a date that just keep going back out. To me it feels like it would be like letting myself off the hook. I am proud of my continuous time sober and I don’t want to fuck that up. It’s not the only thing that keeps me sober, but it’s one of the things.
I once had 14 years but then I turned 14 & drank beer at my jr high graduation. Do I get credit for that? A sobriety date is important, it lets me know how I'm doing. A sobriety date can also let newcomers know that long term sobriety can be achieved. All we have is today but people who have strung together many years deserve a nod for all that trudging.
Lol. I get what you are saying. It all boils down to ODAAT. I get caught up sometimes on the 26 years of sobriety I USED to have. Bottom line is I have 1 today! I’ve done this 96 times in a row at this point. I think it helps the newcomers more than ourselves. It gives them hope.
Mines on EVERY post NOT because I have a BIG DICK. BUT because its an indication of hope, God’s Grace, and LONGEVITY to the chronic relapsers... GOOD LUCK ALL...it does get less difficult with time. My glove size is XXL which is probably a better indicator of my dick size! js O2-28-2OO2
This is the biggest different between harm reduction and the strict sobriety that some programs preach. While having a sobriety date is important, it is also important to acknowledge sobriety experience. If you once had 7 months, relapsed, then had six months, then relapsed again, while your sobriety date starts over, you are not starting from the same place. You have experience with sobriety at this point. You have figured out tools that work, and probably some tools that don’t. Having a sobriety date and sticking to it is important, but it is equally as important to acknowledge the experience you have gained through other periods of sobriety.
Why’re you worried about it dude just own your recovery n know what works for you now may not be what has always worked for you, and what works for you also may not be what works for someone else.
And ultimately Does it really even affect you? Or I guess a better question is should it really affect you? If the man’s proud of himself for being clean 96/97 days then who the fuck do you think you are to tell him he shouldn’t be? Why is it your job or place to determine the validity of his perception? 
Whatever your views are, I promise you that at a point, staying sober just one day out of 97 seemed almost impossible. So I’d be proud as fuck of 96/97. N for whatever reason I wasn’t able to say I had 97 days I would damn sure be holding onto the victory and the hope and pride in myself that I had gone 96 days.
rather than beat myself up for it
I agree Shawn. Being sober longer than somebody else doesn’t make you better than them. At the same time, there’s nothing wrong with giving yourself credit. If you have to compare, compare yourself then to yourself now.
Idk if you’re a dick but if you are atleast you’re a funny one!
I only made it 12 the first time around. Then I drank slivovitz in my buddy's basement. Still feel a little gross thinking about that one.
So btw everybody this post is not at all about "having more time ". It's more about being honest because without honesty how is there recovery? Your perspectives are appreciated. Given me food for thought.
I think compassion and grace should be offered for those that have a minor slip. If your driving somewhere and make one wrong turn you don’t go all the way back home and start over. If a person is sober 96 out of 97 days we need to honor that and celebrate recovery no matter what it looks like.