29 years sober today..

[Permanut]

And grateful to be here.

My life is completely different from 29 years ago. The job was gone, the marriage was gone and the house was gone.

Today I have a long term relationship and a nice home, and I was able to retire from a long term job, with a pension. My health has held up okay so far, at age 77.

I'm very lucky. I'm aware every day that none of those things was guaranteed by my sobriety, but none would have been possible if I continued on the path I was on.

I started my sobriety in AA; I know that's not for everybody, but it made a world of difference to talk to others who were facing the same challenge.

For those coming up behind me in sobriety, let me just say that this was the most difficult challenge of my life, but it was a thousand times worth it.

[Irish_Dem]

1. Congratulations, a very great milestone.

Thank you for posting, you are sharing an important story.

[Permanut]

11. It is important.

I am one of many success stories, and every addict should know what's possible.

[Irish_Dem]

15. Exactly.

You are showing there is hope, it can be done.
And the work is worth what is gained.
Then what method you used to achieve your goals.

[Permanut]

21. Alcoholics Anonymous was a lifesaver..

I live in a city big enough to have many groups to choose from, and was able to find just the right fit for me.

[Irish_Dem]

27. For decades AA has been by far the most effective treatment leading to alcohol abstinence.

Significantly better.

(I will tell you a secret, this tends to rankle some in the clinical community.
But I don't really care how people get better, I just like people do well and live
happy lives.)

[ChazInAz]

28. A variety of groups is good!

I got sober in Tucson forty-two years ago. That city has hundreds of AA groups, with meetings around the clock every day. Wonderful place for us drunks!

[Permanut]

55. I hear ya there .

Some days I went to five meetings; it's been a long time since I did that, but at first when I was down and out, and unemployed...

[ChazInAz]

79. Yep!

Safe harbour.

[Stuart G]

87. Overeaters Anonymous (another 12 step group) saved my life.

I came in to OA at 210 pounds..Today I am about 150.
I have kept 60 pounds off for over 40 years. ....
I rarely weigh myself any more,...(except at the doctors office. I threw away the scale about 35 years ago.

[FalloutShelter]

2. Wow... congratulations !

[Permanut]

12. Hey, I'm celebrating!

[FalloutShelter]

18. As you absolutely should.

[Bayard]

3. Good for you!

[Permanut]

13. Thank you, Bayard.

[sinkingfeeling]

4. Congratulations. Such an accomplishment.

[Permanut]

14. Thank you, sinking feeling..

A lot of days, one day at a time.

[sprinkleeninow]

5. Bravo! Well done you! 💙

[Permanut]

22. Taking a bow..

[sprinkleeninow]

26. ...

[ProudMNDemocrat]

6. CONGRATULATIONS to you.

Continue on this journey with open eyes and mind.

[Permanut]

34. Well said..

Thanks ProudMNDemocrat; My alcohol sensitivity is permanent.

[SWBTATTReg]

7. A wonderful testimony.

[Permanut]

20. Thanks, SWBTATTReg!

I want everyone who is struggling to see what can happen.

[NNadir]

8. Congrats.

I will be talking to my nephew soon about his addiction. I know it can be done.

[Permanut]

19. I failed three times before..

If he falls, he can get right back up. I'm rootin for both of you; him for recovery, and you to find just the right words.

[NNadir]

24. Trust me, I know exactly what you're talking about.

I've been doing research.

It's not alcohol though; it's something advertised as not being addictive but nonetheless is in the presence of certain genetic states.

I've had two very good friends, alcoholics, who relapsed; both made it in the end.

I know two others who died; one a step brother. If there's any consolation in that horror, no one else died in the crash that killed him; no one else was involved.

I'm fully aware of just how difficult it is and you are justifiably proud of your success.

[Permanut]

39. Thanks, NNadir..

It's good to remember those we have lost.

[niyad]

9. Congratulations. And may there be many, many more anniversaries

to come.

[Permanut]

17. Thanks niyad for the good wishes..

I'm truly grateful for what I have.

[rzemanfl]

10. I am 76 and was stunned to realize on my anniversary last month that I have now been sober

more than half of my life.... Congratulations on your anniversary.

[Permanut]

16. Hey, rzmanfl, nice quit ya got going there..

I'm coming right up behind you!

[Daylily]

46. Happy

This news makes me happy for you and I wish you many more years of success.

[llashram]

23. +++

one day at a time

[Permanut]

36. Exactly right, Iishram..

[fierywoman]

25. BRAVO!

I'm sober 9 months. From the way I'm reacting to this (no cravings, really) I don't think I was alcoholic. I gave up sugar at the same time and I still have to white-knuckle those cravings. What I love about no alcohol is how, at my age (72) my thinking is becoming clearer and clearer! But, today is for you, so again, BRAVO !!!

[sprinkleeninow]

30. I have a thing for carbonated beverages. Mainly straight cola and cola with other flavors.

I can't tolerate sugar free anything.
I do drink mineral water and natural flavored spritzers.

But can't wean myself offa cola.

Good going! 🩷

[fierywoman]

53. I'm loving San Pellegrino as a treat. Have you tried stevia as a sweetener?

[sprinkleeninow]

80. No I haven't tried it. Kinda hesitant.

Yes to San Pellegrino.

[Permanut]

37. Thanks, fierywoman!

You also have a great quit going!

[Chicagogrl1]

29. Congratulations! What an inspiration

[Permanut]

58. Thanks, Chicagogrl1!

Others inspired me, like Big John the longshoreman ("This thing will kill ya if ya don't get serious about it&quot , so I'm glad to have a chance to pass it on.

[Goddessartist]

31. Fantastic!!! Yay! Life IS completely different sober, and well worth it! Congratulations!

[Permanut]

62. Thanks, Goddess artist!

The thing that is missing for so many is hope. Hope that a better future is possible. I want everybody to have that hope, and to see it in us.

[Goddessartist]

72. Absolutely. I understand that all too well. Blessings!

[soldierant]

32. Congratulations!

[Permanut]

48. Thanks soldierant!

[calimary]

33. EXCELLENT!!!

Congratulations, Permanut!

That’s a COLOSSAL accomplishment!!!

[Permanut]

63. I ain't gonna argue with you, calimary..

Colossal is the right word. Thanks!

I could not have done it without help.

[iluvtennis]

35. Congrats. 29 years sober. Can only imagine the mental fortitude it took. n/t

[Permanut]

54. Thank, iluvtennis!

There's no way to minimize the effort, but boy was it worth it.

[johnnyplankton]

38. Congratulations! Hit 20 years 2 weeks ago myself.

AA saved my life.

[Permanut]

42. Twenty years is a HUGE one..

My sister got me a special AA coin for twenty; she's gone now, but I still carry it every day. So..congratulations comin back atcha!

[Daylily]

44. Awesome

Congratulations to you also. I’m in awe of your accomplishment. We have a wonderful friend who has 30 years sober, so we know what you’ve done.

[cate94]

40. Congrats !

[Permanut]

43. Thanks, cate94!

[Daylily]

41. 29 years

And what an amazing achievement! You should be very proud. I know that it wasn’t easy. Congratulations and many more years of happiness to you.

[Permanut]

45. Thanks, Daylily..

I'm proud, and humbled by your response and others here. Thank you!

[Warpy]

50. Happy birthday!

That first step has to be like jumping off a cliff. Having people around you who did it and lived through it is essential.

[Permanut]

65. Thanks Warpy!

For whatever reason, just being able to talk to people in AA who were escaping from that dark road we were on was a lifesaver.

[3catwoman3]

52. Kudos to you.

What an accomplishment.

[Permanut]

67. Thanks, 3catwoman3!

[WmChris]

56. Congratulations

We keep trudging the road to happy destiny one day at a time.

[Permanut]

66. Thanks, WmChris!

I'm grateful every day to be on that road.

[BlueIdaho]

57. "Good Start"

At least that’s what the folks around my local coffee pot say. 😉

Seriously - I’m sure the lessons you have learned have given you a joyful life worth living.

9/15/88.

[Permanut]

68. That's exactly what my Sister told me..

"Good start!". She was ten years ahead of me, and we both would have enjoyed visiting your coffee pot.

I do have a joyful life worth living; sobriety didn't give that to me but it gave me a chance, and I'm grateful every day for that chance.

[BlueIdaho]

70. You are singing my tune.

Drunk I had no choices, sober I do - and responsibility. Obviously you’re making great choices and reaping the rewards.

Well done!

[twodogsbarking]

59. Way to go, all of you. Humbling indeed.

[Permanut]

69. Thanks, twodogsbarking!

I see posts almost every day here from incredible DU posters in recovery. Congrats to all, and my heart goes out to those still struggling

[BrownsFan4Ever]

60. Congratulations

25 years sober on 8/21. Through the Grace of God as I understand Him to be and the fellowship of A.A. Persons like you kept the doors open until I stumbled in. Thank you!

[Permanut]

73. Thanks BrownsFan4Ever..

And congratulations right back atcha.

And thanks to those who kept the doors open for me through the first three tries at sobriety

[MLAA]

61. What a wonderful milestone!

Congratulations! And hurray for those who went before you and helped you and those who will follow you and you will support. 💕💗💕

[Permanut]

74. Double amen to that!

Thanks, MLAA; I'm not even going to think about where I'd be without those incredible pioneers in recovery.

[irisblue]

64. Yes.👏👏👏👏

[Permanut]

75. Thanks irisblue!

[Tikki]

71. Congratulations...

It feels really good, for sure..

19 years here.

Tikki

[Permanut]

76. Thanks Tikki!

19 years for you, and closing in on 20, one day at a time. Nice quit ya got going.

My sister, who was 10 years ahead of me in AA, presented me with a special coin to commemorate my 20 years.

She lived a long and happy life. She's gone now but I still carry that coin.

[Bristlecone]

77. Congrats!

[Permanut]

78. Thanks, Bristlecone!

[Rhiannon12866]

81. Congratulations! And you've certainly earned your celebration!

I've been there, too, found AA in November 2008, my sobriety date is April 30th 2009. And I credit my wonderful sponsor for sticking with me and telling me what to do - as well as those who came before me. And now it's a community that I'm proud to be a member of and I not only keep coming back, but I reach out to others who are where I was. It works!

[Permanut]

82. Thanks Rhiannnon12866!

And a shiny brand new 29 year coin - way cool!

[Rhiannon12866]

83. You're more than welcome - well deserved!

And that's been my favorite AA "service," I've been the coin orderer for three different groups!

[Diamond_Dog]

84. Congratulations!

[Permanut]

85. Thanks Diamond Dog!

[Diamond_Dog]

86. Love your Sgt. Schultz!

Die hard Guardians fan here. ⚾️⚾️⚾️

[cate94]

88. Congratulations!

I’m all of 69 days sober. Given my age, I’m fairly sure I’ll never make it to 29 years sober. OTOH, everyday is a milestone for me right now. I take that back, I am currently on a cruise, every moment is both a miracle and a milestone right now.

[Permanut]

89. Okay, so from somebody who's been there..

let me just say that 69 days is a monumental achievement.

You have a great quit going. It took me four tries to get to 29 years; NEVER give up on your commitment to sobriety.

Congratulations!

[Stuart G]

90. Congratulations Permanut !!!!

Thank You for posting this!!!