Many resolutions have been made in this New Year. Some going strong and others falling short. That’s ok.  because a new resolution can be started every new day. Say to yourself, I want to stop drinking  today. It can be done and you deserve it. If you are a suffering alcoholic who desperately wants to stop drinking I would like to share my struggles and the avenues to recovery that have helped me get sober and stay that way over the past 14 years.

I drank for 23 years and the all of that time I made bad choice after bad choice. I had wanted to get sober back in 1991 but did not. I knew my life was out of control by age 24 and I needed help. I checked into a drug and alcohol rehabilitation center but I  discharged myself the following day. That would be a pattern I  would follow in the years to come. Little did I know how the effects of drinking would negatively affect my life over the next 13 years.  It was the years of 2001-2003 that desperation settled in as I neared death from the affects of alcoholism.

I would like to briefly share my path that  got me sober and has helped me stay that way. It was always a dream as far back I can remember as an active alcoholic to stop drinking. As I posted before I longed for the day when I could say ” No thanks” or ” I don’t drink” with regards to being offered a drink.

From 2001 to 2003 I checked myself into 7 impatient rehabs and 5 outpatient rehabs. As I mentioned my pattern was to stay a short while and then to bail only to find myself buried in the bottle again.  These were rough times but it paid off when I stayed the full term at my final impatient rehab in 2003. There I made an honest effort to get and stay sober. I would meet a wonderful counselor who would change my life. What a blessing. My wish for you is that you never stop seeking assistance from rehab center until an impact be made upon you.

After rehab I attended Alcoholics Anonymous. as suggested, often attending two meetings a day . All I can say is try a meeting:  listen to others in the same boat as us. It helped me relate to others were sharing. I had to attend different meetings until I found one in which I could relate to the fellow alcoholics and get a positive message of hope from attending. All I can say is try it as it worked for me.

During this time I also sought medical attention for mental illness from a psychiatrist and found medication that assisted me . If you feel it may help you than go for it. Please do anything you have to do.  I also saw a physcotherapist who I could discuss what was going on in my life as well as sharing how was doing and feeling on a weekly basis.  You see I was desperate to stay sober. I knew going back to drinking would mean a certain death.

Some say that seeking Clergy for assistance in staying sober was helpful. I did not initially do that but later in sobriety I would attend church which gave me positive reinforcement and continued hope that everything was going to be ok.

Without the support of my family I may not have made it. They took me in, , during early recovery when I had nowhere to go and many of my family members would accept my amends when it was time for me to do so. Not all, but some. I had to  slowly try to gain their trust through my actions. I found that it worked for me and since have developed strong relationships with the family that I once abandoned during my active drinking years. Just another blessing.

Reading meditation books on a daily basis gave me a message of strength and hope that I could stay sober. I have read these books until the cover has worm off. and the pages have worn and crimpled It may work for you as well.

Lastly, and most important for me, was my renewed faith in God and daily prayer. You see,  for years I hated God for the allowing me to live the way I was living. It wasn’t until I got sober that  I realized God never abandoned me and I pray every day that I can be forgiven for my past actions in life. Daily prayer at beginning of my day as well as throughout has been of utmost importance for me. I t allows me to seek advice from God in order to use good judgement.  Most of my prayers get answered. Sometimes I like the answers to my prayers and sometimes they may go unanswered but rest assured I know it is what God determines what is best for me. and sometimes It gives me a feeling of a connection with God that I hope anyone can experience. I think this can be so for anyone.

Through these avenues I was able to get and stay sober to date. My wish in briefly sharing what I did to get sober may assist you. It is never to late to start your day over and make a resolution to seek a new way of life. The struggle for me was the most difficult of my life but I am grateful that God, Family and a lot of good people who never gave up on me.  Many good events have occurred in my life of sobriety as well as many bad events. As I have posted in prior blogs is that my way of thinking has changed and as a result I have not had to take a drink over the events in the last 14 years. My wish is that we never have to drink again and fall into the pit of despair. if you will

Thank your for reading this today and I hope it may offer an ounce of hope. I know you can get sober and find a life of peace. You are worth it and deserve it. Please fell free to share your struggles, life changing events and feelings or opinions of what I have shared in this blog today. It may make a difference in the life of a suffering alcoholic. I pray that it does. God Bless You!