Today marks the 12th year of my sobriety.
It has become so clear to me that 75 to 90% of any individual's problems (that are not mental health related) are more than likely caused by alcohol, drugs, or even tobacco. It is stunning to see people continually fail, especially due to alcohol, and the consequences of alcohol, and never once wake up and realize the 'cure' they scramble for is the cause of their misery.
My life today is 1000 times better than it was before. I am truly happy. I remember in those first few months and years questioning myself. "Was it really the alcohol?" It was, and now, being so far away from it, I can see clearly that alcohol was still in my system, still trying to convince me to go back.
I know that at any point, all my hard work can fail. I never take sobriety for granted. It does help that whenever I am somewhere, and I smell alcohol, I have the same reaction as I do when I smell someone smoking. Having grown up in the 70s and 80s, you were surrounded by cigarette smoke all the time, and you never noticed it. Now, when I do smell it, it is so repulsive. I was just at a movie on Sunday, and the woman next to me had a wine. My reaction to the smell told me a lot about where I am. It did not smell good to me anymore.
I march onward.
If you feel as if you need a change, contact a counselor. They are wonderful at helping you manage the process.
