- Alcohol
- Faith
I am immensely grateful that on January 1, 2015, I was 33 years sober. I can hardly believe so much time, one day at a time, has passed!
In the past 33 years, I have celebrated births, new jobs and great accomplishments and have also mourned the loss of loved ones and great financial setbacks. The main thing is I know for certain that sobriety helped me overcome and recover.
Alcoholism is not a moral issue. It is an allergenic disease, and our bodies do not metabolize alcohol. I came to the program to get well, and in the process of working the steps, I learned tools that made me a better mother, wife and person in our community and society.
There were times when I didn’t like a particular meeting or some people in the program, and that’s okay. The program is about staying sober and being of service, not people-pleasing. There are many meetings to choose from, and people are people. I found a few people who I trusted and some who have become very best friends. My motto is that I will not let anyone push me out.
Only about 10% of those who attempt to get sober stay sober. Homes, jails, institutions and cemeteries are full of those who, under the influence, have done or continue to do things they would never do normally. Be one of those who stays sober no matter what.
Turn your will over to the care of God, as you understand God, every day. The God thing was a huge issue for me in the beginning. I didn’t know how to deal with my emotions. As I worked the steps and trusted the program, I was able to find peace and learned that “keeping it simple” is doing the best I can, one day at a time, for myself and others.