5 years clean & sober

With my absence from blogging over the last few months, I forgot to share another milestone I reached. I became 5 years clean and sober back on 31 March 2016.

When you’ve been an addict for as long as I was, getting through one day at a time is a milestone. Having an anniversary date somehow seems to put it into perspective. It’s a measure I guess. As each year passes and those number of years get higher, it’s a measure of my success.

Not a day goes by when I don’t think about picking up again. Life gets difficult for all of us but as my addiction eased any pain or erased having to face any difficulties, it’s like an ‘automatic pilot’ that my brain just makes me want to pick up. The only difference now is, since I’ve been living in recovery for over 5 years, I can stop that thought and consider the risks. How much my life was hell while I was using. The wanting to get on, the waiting at car parks, the thought of getting high every minute of the day.

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While I was using the pain disappeared, temporarily, but the problems never went away. I have now learned to face them head on. It’s still not easy but my life is so much better since I’ve been clean. I’m married, working for a great company, have the love of my wife’s two dogs (and children) and so much to look forward to in life. The love from my wife and family keep me going.

Get help if you need it

If you’re suffering from an addiction, of any kind, there is always help out there. I couldn’t have done it without the help of the wonderful people at rehab and following the NA 12 Step Plan. Now, to conquer tomorrow and head toward my 6 year anniversary.