How I did it: It was One Day at a Time for me.  Sometimes it was hour by hour. 

I used the 12 steps....kicking and fighting.  It took 2 years to get my one year chip.  I was in a few days, out a week, back sober a few days, out for a few more weeks.  Finally I stopped lying to myself.  I had no control over my addiction.  It had control over me. 

I kept blaming my sponsor for poor communications and kept finding new sponsors, one after another.  Finally one woman caught on and grabbed me by the collar and told me to quit fooling around and get serious!   I was told to change all my playmates and playthings.  I couldn't follow my intuition on anything.  I had to learn to trust my sponsor and seek advice in the first year about everything. 

I thought that if I had the right boyfriend that I could get sober.  No, that wasn't it. I thought if I had the right job I would get sober.  No, that wasn't it.  I even thought that if I bought an expensive car, I could stay sober.  That didn't work and it really broke the bank!

I finally had to give up all my excuses.  All of them. 

I went to meetings as often as I possibly could.  I drank coffee by the gallon.  I snacked like crazy and talked with strangers about my deepest thoughts and fears.

Days added up to weeks, which added up to years.

I have been sober since June 2, 1982.  And for that I am grateful!

Lessons & tips: Try and find sober people you can call 24/7.  Trust sober people. Everything they tell you in the 12 steps program is true.  It isn't about religion.  It is both the easiest thing to do AND the hardest thing to do.  The 12 steps saved my life.

Resources: Read the literature.

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Feb 23, 2010, 08:07PM PST | 1 comment | 11 cheers