That Day I Marked 1000 Sober Days
You did it. 1000 sober days. Yay! Okay, so it took a minute. A few extra minutes in fact. But still you got it done. Why? Because you were relentless, that’s why. And when people push through, people succeed.
Congrats!
We’re not so sure about the 1000 Sober Days celebration though. Four separate meeting leads in one single day? And among strangers no less? Why not simply speak at one of your regular AA meeting spots? Wouldn’t that have been easier?
Are you really a glutton for self-punishment?
It Gets Worse
We’re kidding of course. Though at first we did wonder about taking your 1000 Sober Days on the road. Then we thought: why not spare your regulars?
And why not put yourself outside your comfort zone? Taking leads on unfamiliar turf is a great way to test yourself. It’s also a great way to test your sober thinking. After all, you basically know what you’re going to say at your dailies. You do it, well, daily. Anything might happen in a new space on a special day.
Especially since we’re not just talking about sharing. A full-on, full-scale, take-the-chair lead is no joke. That’s what they call it the Meeting-Maker Share. Done right, such shares do make a meeting. Heck, they can even make a difference. We’ve seen it happen.
Done wrong though, and, well, these so-called meeting-makers can get ugly. One minute the sober soul is saying their name and the next they’re experiencing utter obliteration. That makes the step-up even more of a step-up.
1000 Sober Days
My fellow Delray Beach meeting-makers should be thanking their lucky stars to not have to sit through my sordid story four separate times. I could have very easily stayed close to home when my 1000 Sober Days dawned. Heck, on 2000 I just might do that.
Really.
For not though I’m simply enjoying the moment. 1000 Sober Days might sound minimal in the grand scheme of all things. But I can assure you it’s anything but. It’s also a great time to remind myself how sobriety built upon itself. Every day in every way I regained my strength. And so did my world.
At day one hundred, I moved to the senior room at the sober home. At day 200 I got a raise at work. By the time day 500 had rolled around, I’d gotten approved for a vehicle. No, it wasn’t brand new. But it was exactly what I’d dreamed of driving. And boy, did it feel good.
When I decided to relocate to L.A. for my 1000 sober days nobody was really surprised. After all, I’d spent my life in big cities. And though Delray Beach was equidistant to West Palm Beach and Fort Lauderdale / Miami, it was still a little small for me. Besides, I like the challenge of a new environment. And few things say new like a city of millions.
1000 Sober Days: The AI Way
Speaking of which, I can’t recall what said four years ago (I’m not approaching 3000 sober days) but I know I said something. So I’ve asked Bard to sum up what might’ve been. Here’s what it said:
I woke up today with a sense of peace and clarity that I haven’t felt in a long time. It’s been 1000 days since I took my last drink, and I can honestly say that my life has changed for the better in every way.
I used to be a slave to my addiction. I would drink every day, and I would often black out. I lost my job, my car, and my relationships. I was at rock bottom, and I knew that I needed to make a change.
I started going to Alcoholics Anonymous meetings, and I got a sponsor. I also started seeing a therapist. With their help, I was able to get sober.
Sobriety hasn’t been easy. There have been times when I’ve wanted to give up. But I’ve kept going, one day at a time. And I’m so glad that I did.
Sobriety has given me my life back. I have a job that I love, a car, and a new relationship. I’m also rebuilding my relationships with my family and friends.
I’m not perfect. I still make mistakes. But I’m learning how to deal with my problems in a healthy way. I’m also learning how to enjoy life without alcohol.
If you’re struggling with addiction, I want you to know that there is hope. You can get sober, and you can have a better life. It won’t be easy, but it is possible.
Bard continued with a little breakdown:
Here are some of the things that have helped me in my sobriety:
- Going to Alcoholics Anonymous meetings. This has been one of the most important things for me. AA has given me a support network, and it has helped me to learn how to live sober.
- Getting a sponsor. My sponsor is a sober alcoholic who has been through what I’m going through. He has helped me to stay on track, and he has been a great source of support.
- Seeing a therapist. A therapist can help you to understand your addiction, and they can teach you how to cope with your emotions in a healthy way.
- Taking care of myself. I make sure to eat healthy foods, get enough sleep, and exercise regularly. Taking care of my physical and mental health has helped me to stay sober.
- Having a positive attitude. I try to focus on the good things in my life, and I try to stay positive. Having a positive attitude has helped me to stay motivated in my sobriety.
If you’re struggling with addiction, I urge you to reach out for help. There are people who care about you, and there are resources available to help you get sober. You can have a better life, and you don’t have to go through this alone.
Then it provided some links:
- Alcoholics Anonymous
- Narcotics Anonymous
- SMART Recovery
- National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism
- National Institute on Drug Abuse
I hope this helps. You can do this!
Healing Properties has been helping men find sobriety since 2002; we help them stay there too! If you’re seeking the wonder, give us a ring. We’ll help get you sorted quick! Bet on it!
