From hopeless to helpful - The story behind my username

Soberlicious96 — Wed, 12 Jun 2019 06:15:44 GMT

Recently a lot of people are telling me that I am “awesome” and “amazing” and “such an inspiration” and lots of other positive encouraging things. But let me tell you it wasn’t always like that.

About 22 and a half years ago, people were telling me very different things; like “I’ve had enough of your lies” and “Go away, I’m done with you” and “Get your act together or get out of my life” …. Actually, that last one was the kicker. It came from my sister. She’d sprung me having my ‘morning drink’. I was trying to secretly glug down a bottle of mouthwash, telling myself I was just ‘looking after my dental hygiene’ when really, I had reached the point where I could no longer brush my teeth without gagging. Almost every other person in my life had slammed the door in my face and I had no-one left. I even thought about living in my car and told myself it would be okay because homeless people don’t have a job, and I still had a job. But only just, and not for much longer.

It didn’t start out like that though. It started out being so much fun! I was going to parties and going out dancing and seeing bands and going out to dinner and out on dates. But from the age of 15 there was ALWAYS alcohol. And if there wasn’t, then I didn’t want to go. I thought people who didn’t drink were ‘weird’ or ‘boring’ or too scared ….. obviously, I was also quite judgemental. I didn’t grow up in a home with excessive drinking or abuse or anything like that. But I did have some significant traumas happen to me as a child, and saw alcohol as the thing that would ‘fix’ me. Or at least dull the pain.

But alcohol is a depressant and sooner or later, when a person drinks to excess, it turns on you and becomes the thing that is ruining everything. And removing everyone from your life. In recovery, we call it ‘The greatest remover on earth’.

So anyway, a few days after my sister said “Get your act together or get out of my life” I got help by going to AA. That was December of 1996 and I haven’t had a drink since. And I can tell you that sobriety and recovery has been both the hardest, and most wonderful thing I have ever chosen and/or been coerced into doing. Ever.

Moral of the story; if you want to drink, that’s your business. But if the booze is costing you (removing from you/your life) more than just money, then help and hope are only a phone call or a meeting away. Visit www.aa.org.au or call 1300 AA AA AA (1300 22 22 22).

From hopeless to helpful - The story behind my username

geoff — Thu, 13 Jun 2019 20:20:40 GMT

Hello Soberlicious, thank you so much for your openness to what you have had to go through and how you have overcome this problem.

What you have experienced has changed your personal growth and there will be many other people who will take your advice with much appreciation.

Best wishes.

Geoff.

From hopeless to helpful - The story behind my username

White_Rose — Thu, 13 Jun 2019 20:56:23 GMT

Many thanks Soberlicious and also many, many congratulations. I am told that these addictions, like smoking and drugs are just about the hardest thing to stop. Dry for 22 years is an amazing feat.

Thank you for your openness, you have my admiration.

Mary

topic From hopeless to helpful - The story behind my username in Staying well

From hopeless to helpful - The story behind my username

From hopeless to helpful - The story behind my username

From hopeless to helpful - The story behind my username