If you attend many recovery meetings, you will start to meet people and root for them.
I had several people who had the same sobriety date as me, and some with lots more time. They were my trudging buddies. Over time, some went out, and some died.
I was sad to see my buddies reset their day counts, but I was happy they were alive to do so.
Recovery is really a battle of life and death.
I am coming up on three years now, but I know all it takes is one drink to send me into a downward spiral.
Jay, three years is huge, and you’re right, this truly is life and death. The fact that you’re still here, still trudging, still choosing sobriety every day says everything about your strength.
It’s tough losing people along the way, but like you said, as long as they’re alive, there’s still hope. What’s helped you stay strong when those thoughts of “relapse” creep in? Keep going, brother, you’re making it happen.
I "play the tape forward". I am a real alcoholic; I know where one drink will take me.
You can go to any AA meeting and hear horror stories of people who went out.
I am fortunately not as hard-headed as I was when I was young. I can now learn from others instead of having to experience it myself. If someone says the stove is hot, I won't touch it
For the past 13229 days I've been trudging the road to a happy destiny one step at a time as well as one day at a time.
There have been numerous people who have come and gone in those days. Whether it be by relapse or death. I've learned from the errors of their ways.
I do know this.. I'm an arms distance away from total destruction.
My sobriety is based on a daily reprieve of my spiritual contact with my higher power.