Ed,

Heart felt congratulations on your successful war on your addiction. And kudos for a very well written summary of your personal journey / saga.

Prayers for your continued sobriety and love of live!

Yessiree.
Imagine what 2,000 days will be like.
Keep doing what you’re doing, Smudge.

The awkward nature of this condition has me unsure of how to respond, other than to say thank you all, and I hope to be around as long as I can. I feel like I owe an enormous debt, but it doesn't feel like a burden so much as a wonderful opportunity.

To reiterate, this is wholly aimed at the alcoholic still drinking, whether you're a registered member, or an internet drive-by. Just ask someone for help. I promise you, there are many of us who were where you are now, and none of us will say "no."

I salute you friend on the hardest thing I have EVER done…… a bit over 6 years for me.. it’s a wonderful day when you’re not dead.. !

I’m proud of you man.

You got to do what you got to do. Fortunately, you had the fortitude to do so. Good luck in your recovery.

Do you know how to reach 2,000 days? It is a simple two-step approach.

1. Don’t drink.
2. Don’t die.

Thank you for your deeply honest post. I'm very happy for the turn you've made, and I believe your post will help others who wish to improve.

26 days into no booze myself. I was no where as bad as where you were. It just took a close friend of ours being diagnosed with yellowing eyes & a liver x3 times to large. For me to realize I needed to change some habits.

Good for you. Kudos on being so blunt & vulnerable.

quote:

Originally posted by Paddy314:
My family is well acquainted with the devastation of alcoholism. Many go down that road, not many have the fortitude to turn around and do the hard work necessary to make things right. Good for you!

Both sides of my extended family have been affected as with a few of my friends. Not an easy battle to fight but it can be done. One cousin recently related one year sober.

On my dad’s side one of his brothers, the uncle I was closest to quit cold Turkey in 1965. Stayed sober until his passing thirty years later. I respected him then and now, it wasn’t an easy path he followed but he did it.

Congratulations I know the struggles you have endured. I grew up in an alcoholic environment. My mother, step father, brothers and sister all dealt with the demons of alcoholism. My mother after being placed in detox, countless times short and long term treatments none of them working, finally reached her low point when everyone stopped enabling her. She placed herself into long term and worked her way through nursing school. My step father didn’t beat it. He was found dead in an Iowa motel room he bled out from both ends.

I commend you on your strength to turn your life away from alcohol.

Congratulations my friend!!!
Thank you for sharing your story. I'm sure that wasn't easy and it takes a very brave man to let others see some of those sides we'd rather keep hidden. But as people like us learned, sunshine is a wonderful disinfectant.
I'm 950 days today and very grateful to be where I am.

The only way to keep it is by freely giving it away, Smudge. You're a great example of that.

Just looked it up: I'm at 3,859 days.

Congratulations! I am going on about 12,600 days without taking a drink. When I was in high school, I realized that I have a very addictive personality. Everything I get into, I obsess over and decided that my life would be better without alcohol. I never tried it and now, in my mid-thirties, I am great full for that one moment of clarity. It has kept me out of trouble and kept a little coin in my pocket to spend on other things.

I especially commend those who stopped because it must be significantly harder to stop that train than never get on.

Congratulations, P220 Smudge. That's a hell of an accomplishment

Well, Smudge that is some pretty dark shit there.

I am glad you started to turn the corner and from your eloquent dissertation it seems that you pretty much hit rock bottom and had no choice but to change.

It might be interesting to hear how you got to the point you did and why you made the decisions you did to go so far off path?

Love to hear a success story and while it may help someone else - your tales really benefit yourself mostly by being honest with yourself.
I think a lot of people who publicly air their laundry just want someone to feel sorry for them and I hope this is not the case with you - I don't think so and wish you continued success.

Keep it up.

Congratulations.

quote:

My misery was ended and peace gifted through no virtue I know myself to possess, no quality I feel in myself. I was given a gift I often feel I don't deserve, but accept willingly and gratefully.

Yes.

Congratulations on the milestone.

Someday I may tell my story. More to be revealed...

Congratulations Smudge!

9222 days for me.

Congratulations and keep up the hard work.