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I have been sober for over 5 years and by sober I mean no mind or mood altering substances. For me 'the habit' encompassed alcohol and drugs - I cannot separate the two - and I don't truly believe that an "addict" is different from and "alcoholic" however, I refuse to enter that argument. I don't know what the answer is for anyone, I only know what worked for me.  What I needed was to come to my own breaking point. Loved ones pleading with me to stop - medical professionals telling me that I would die if I did not stop, the loss of friends, jobs, dignity none of it mattered - I kept going: either getting drunk and in trouble or getting drunk and using drugs. It was only me, struck with a moment of absolute fright - that caused my decision to seek help. Then it took 20 months of intense, residential treatment that was based on the principles of a very well know, sometimes misunderstood, but always present and open group of people found all over the world (AA). Breaking the habit takes a brutal confrontation of one's self - NO ONE can get sober without a sincere desire to change.

posted 3 years, 9 months ago
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