Today marks the day where I have been clean and sober from drugs and alcohol for 22 years!
That's 8,036 days of One Day At A Time! Dang, that's a long time. I would never have guessed I could have done it for so long. Slowly but surely, it became my natural way of life. I no longer need the cushion of drugs and booze to defend me from life. Today, I have many other useful tools to help me deal with life on life's terms.
Yes, I still go to 12 Step meetings, because I'm still an alcoholic. I get so much love, caring and support from my sober friends, who understand me in a way others cannot. I value my sobriety and guard it with my life. It means everything to me. My life has changed in so many wondrous ways and all because I made the decision to stop drinking and using drugs.
If there's someone in your life suffering from the problems of addiction, who's life has become unmanageable, I would encourage you to help them seek help. Thanks to the Internet, there's so much help available online, as well as in real life. No one has to suffer from this dreaded affliction. There is another choice. Yes, it's difficult to get clean and sober and even more difficult to keep it for the long term. But I worked hard to change everything in my life in order to live a better way and I continue to do the work it takes to choose sobriety. My recovery isn't perfect, but I do not drink or use drugs no matter what. One day at a time.
Nina Ruthie, I am so proud of you. What an inspiration you are, not just to people struggling with addiction but to ANYONE who wants to achieve a big goal in life. Your recovery is a gift to yourself and to everyone who you've inspired along the way. Perhaps the reason your artwork resonates and delights so many of us (including ME!) is that we see the joy in it - joy that would have never been possible without those 8,036 single days. Here's to 8,037!
ReplyDeleteI"m a long time fan of the show, Ruthie, and I am SO PROUD of you. I was in AA from 17 till 30 and although I haven't been sober since then- I"m 34- I had a really wonderful experience in AA. I personally ended up feeling that ten years or so was long enough to remain off all alcohol from a teenage drinking problem. I know that is not believed in AA :) But the last four years have been great for me, no problems with it, and I am so grateful for all I learned through AA, all the support 'free therapy' and friendships. I'm really happy you found your way out. I've known too many who didn't.
ReplyDeleteI am proud of what you did for yourself. :)Bea
ReplyDeleteHell, I would call going without the drugs/drinks now matter what "perfect"!!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on such a huge accomplishment!
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