I was a member of this site a year or so ago. I stopped participation in social media when I decided to get sober. Never thought I'd be 14 months sober.
Really can't believe I did it.
In the beginning there were a few people I had met who decided religion was going to be their motivation.
My question was simple: "Why not believe in your self?" They all responded they had no control, so without a "Higher power" they had no hope of sobriety. They chose their path, I chose my own.
It wasn't pretty, but here I stand from what I understand I'm the only one who made the year mark.
From the beginning I've looked at this journey simply as: I created the problem, so I must create the solution.
To anyone out there struggling I believe in you.
You got this.
As someone who lost her husband to alcoholism 12 years ago, I know how hard the journey can be. I give you a lot of credit for motivating others and taking the necessary steps to live alcohol free. You can be the success story my late husband couldn't be. He was only 46 years old.
Happy to hear this.
I've been sober now for nearly 28 years, most of that time as a vocal non-believer. I always doubted, my entire life, but didn't admit it publicly until sober for about 1 year. I simply started holding myself responsible, encouraged myself to "grow the fuck up, fella", and haven't looked back. I do find that a certain level of humility is necessary from time to time, at least for me, but I don't find it necessary to look to a non-existent entity for that. When I need to get to a place like that I simply look to the "wise, chilled out grandfather" that's already part of me, always somewhere in me, and available at anytime. He's a pretty wise, laid back guy; just not always in control. I find I need to make a conscious choice to have a talk with him. It works for me.
I wish you well.
Creeping up on 20 glorious and godless months of sobriety myself. I’ve scienced the shit out of my sobriety. They stress in “The Program” that you can’t intellectualize your sobriety. Well I disagreed. It’s a medical condition with a scientific solution. Granted, it has the rare complexity of relying on the the organ that is sick to cure the sickness. Just my luck. But I like your reasoning. I created this problem, and I’ll be damned if I’m gonna let some bullshit deity take the credit for my hard work. Kudos fellow heathen!
Sobriety is sexy as hell! Especially to someone who grew up around a lot of substance abuse.
Wanna go for a walk some time?
You must drive your theist friends absolutely nuts. Imagine....actually taking the blame and the responsibility for your actions and initiating action on your own to correct errors. That’s the exact opposite of how most theists behave. They blame satan for their mistakes, and pray to a nonexistent man in the sky to solve their problems instead of relying on themselves. Congratulations on your one-year sobriety.
well done and you have the power to take control of your own life
Love seeing the support expressed for you here. Keep working the "program" (yours).
Thank you for sharing, and welcome back. Good work.
Congratulations on being sober, sharing your journey, offering your support and your encouragement. You've got this!