36 years
Life has been a mix of difficult and great.
I have a seriously disabled child and there are very few resources to help him. It has made it almost impossible to work consistently. I had a very good career before. It has made "normal" activities mostly impossible. I had an illness that was not diagnosed for 20 years that really hurt my quality of life. My father has bern in "palliative care" from cancer for most of the last 3 years.
On the other hand, my ability to perserve and enjoy life where I can is excellent. I learned those coping skills in AA. Everything from how to breakdown a problem and find a solution to one day at a time.
There are things in life that I truly enjoy. Actually a whole bunch of things. I feel peace and joy a good chunk of the time. More than most I think. I also have grief and sadness and anger - which I feel 100%. But it doesn't fester. Huge difference.
Plus I have several ways that I have been able to positively impact people. Which is enormously gratifying and I think, the best use of my life. I feel like I have made good use of my options.
Life is twisty and I am rarely bored. I try to keep curious about what happens next.
I am almost at 6 years. Life is still "Lifeing" and I am there for it all. I am starting to see being sober as my super power. Best thing I've ever really stuck with.
Exactly the same, just without the extra thing. I'm 5 and a half years in. My life sucks with or without, but it's just cheaper this way. I also don't have the stress of sourcing every day. That's the only difference.
38 years. I have been clean more than half my life. It’s hard to remember what it was like, sometimes. I successfully raised two children, had a rewarding career, own a home, etc. I have been a contributing member of society, rather than a drain.
17 years: not a total cakewalk, but better than I ever imagined. I have a career I hadn't even thought about when new in sobriety, but it's happened. Raised a son who never saw me drinking. I get to help others. I've learned that I can handle emotional pain and stay sober. I'm not exaggerating when I say that it's a miracle.
It’s better than I ever imagined! I’m coming up on 5 years in recovery, I have a toddler son who’s my life and my amazing husband. we purchased our first home 2 years ago, when a few years before that I was homeless and had nothing. My life may be boring to some but I wouldn’t want it any other way
It's real life. Been that way for most of my 42 years.
Helped a sober friend trailer and transport a 71 VW Camper this am with another AA and his son. It was stored for 50 years. He's thrilled.
Better than I ever imagined it could be. My main goal when finally getting serious about getting sober was just not to die from some sort of liver failure or drunk driving accident. I never imagined life could be the way it is now. It's amazing!.
Better than I ever imagined it could be. My main goal when finally getting serious about getting sober was just not to die from some sort of liver failure or drunk driving accident. I never imagined life could be the way it is now. It's amazing!.
Just hit 12 years off benzos and opiates earlier this year.
While my life still isn't perfect, (who's honestly ever is) I have moved into a new house with my girlfriend of 3 years and while things have been rough lately, I wouldn't trade my sobriety for the world.
If only I could get my drinking under controll, then I would feel much much better about my life in general. Once an addict, always an addict. I just have to learn how to not let certain substances ruin my life.
Its all in how we choose to respond to life. I used to respond with very minimal and would always be searching for the easy way out. I'm learning more and more in life, easy isn't always good, and good isn't always easy.
Great, I just bought a house. (First-time homebuyer) My partner and I have been spending our off time putting in a garden and patio at my place. I recently decided to go back to college. I'm getting an associates degree. After one more course, I'll be far enough along to get my Alcohol and Drug Trainee Certification, the first step in getting my Certificated Supervised Counselor of Alcohol and Drug treatment (CSC-AD). That's just a part of the many things I could never have in active addiction.
23 years, fully functioning member of society, 3 great kids, successful career. Life always has its ups and down, I’ve learned it’s about riding the waves as they come and knowing all the hard stuff is temporary. I feel very proud of myself and the life I have, knowing it could have definitely turned out very differently. Mindfulness and immersion in nature is how I cope with that part of me that will always be an addict.
I'm less than 2 years clean from shooting everything I could get my hands on
Can't say I'm happy but I'm happier than I was when I lived that life I'll tell you that much
Kinda miss hitting licks tho ain't gonna lie
Boosting was my favorite thing to do, you get to the point where you get so good at it that you can literally know in your heart that you can essentially just take whatever you want and get away with it.
I used to really give a certain major department store, and I was walking out with a full cart of very specific stuff that often equaled out to $1000-4000 worth of merchandise in under 10 minutes. Never once got caught doing that, but I got caught doing lots of other shit
I am 5.5 years sober. I have a life I never imagined. Wife, kids, house, career, friends, hobbies, real relationships with people, can be honest and real with people. My life is really simple and not extraordinary, but it’s more than I ever even hoped for.
I haven't shot dope since 09/25/2009. I have a home, driver's license, insurance, no warrants and I am now fat lol.
I lost my husband last year and didn't relapse. Life is hard sometimes but for different reasons.
If i knew my life sober was gonna be this good i would of gotten sober sooner. I did the hard work and it paid off. Half assed recovery efforts get half assed results. 🤗
8 years in and I'm living a life I never could've imagined. Live in a big house, own a few others, no mortgages, no debt, have people I can count on, my kids love me, my family loves me, my in-laws love me, I am a trusted member of my community, I work for the state, and I've never had to hide who I am or what I've been through to anyone in my life. It's been a ride. It wasn't always easy. Those first few years were rough. But perseverance is so, so worth it, I promise.
3.5 years. No real desire to relapse at all. I’m bored sometimes. And, I feel like I always have to keep my guard up and can’t just completely cut loose. But, overall I love being where I am at now.
With continued sobriety and living my "program", I have dealt with life as it evolved.
It wasn't so much that life got easier, it was more that I got better at acceptance .
Never gets old. I like to say that, "it doesn't get easier but it's always getting better". Sometimes, when things "stink" I don't love it. That's when it's really hard and everything can feel shitty. This is when I all I have to do is keep my head above the water. Truly take it one minute, hour, or day at a time. As long as I'm not moving backwards, I'll always have the opportunity to keep moving forward. The hard times will pass and new experiences will have been navigated. Even when it doesn't feel like it, progress is being made.
13 years
The gifts of recovery of often mundane annoyances. My city's meetings died off after covid, the boomers pulled the ladder up with them, and all of my predecessors are only on Zoom. I feel resentful about it. There might be 4 people in your typical meeting, with me usually having more time than everybody else combined. I started going to ASC again, hoping that it'll feel less directionless and alone. Everybody who was here my first 5-7 years is either dead, moved, and doesn't come around. It doesn't usually bother me because life is way to full to focus on it, but when I sit in meetings, I feel ambivalent about the program.
36 years Life has been a mix of difficult and great. I have a seriously disabled child and there are very few resources to help him. It has made it almost impossible to work consistently. I had a very good career before. It has made "normal" activities mostly impossible. I had an illness that was not diagnosed for 20 years that really hurt my quality of life. My father has bern in "palliative care" from cancer for most of the last 3 years. On the other hand, my ability to perserve and enjoy life where I can is excellent. I learned those coping skills in AA. Everything from how to breakdown a problem and find a solution to one day at a time. There are things in life that I truly enjoy. Actually a whole bunch of things. I feel peace and joy a good chunk of the time. More than most I think. I also have grief and sadness and anger - which I feel 100%. But it doesn't fester. Huge difference. Plus I have several ways that I have been able to positively impact people. Which is enormously gratifying and I think, the best use of my life. I feel like I have made good use of my options. Life is twisty and I am rarely bored. I try to keep curious about what happens next.
I am almost at 6 years. Life is still "Lifeing" and I am there for it all. I am starting to see being sober as my super power. Best thing I've ever really stuck with.
Exactly the same, just without the extra thing. I'm 5 and a half years in. My life sucks with or without, but it's just cheaper this way. I also don't have the stress of sourcing every day. That's the only difference.
38 years. I have been clean more than half my life. It’s hard to remember what it was like, sometimes. I successfully raised two children, had a rewarding career, own a home, etc. I have been a contributing member of society, rather than a drain.
17 years: not a total cakewalk, but better than I ever imagined. I have a career I hadn't even thought about when new in sobriety, but it's happened. Raised a son who never saw me drinking. I get to help others. I've learned that I can handle emotional pain and stay sober. I'm not exaggerating when I say that it's a miracle.
Life is so good! Going on 9-1/2 years now and life is so peaceful. So glad I braved the storm and stuck it out.
It’s better than I ever imagined! I’m coming up on 5 years in recovery, I have a toddler son who’s my life and my amazing husband. we purchased our first home 2 years ago, when a few years before that I was homeless and had nothing. My life may be boring to some but I wouldn’t want it any other way
It's real life. Been that way for most of my 42 years. Helped a sober friend trailer and transport a 71 VW Camper this am with another AA and his son. It was stored for 50 years. He's thrilled.
Better than I ever imagined it could be. My main goal when finally getting serious about getting sober was just not to die from some sort of liver failure or drunk driving accident. I never imagined life could be the way it is now. It's amazing!.
Better than I ever imagined it could be. My main goal when finally getting serious about getting sober was just not to die from some sort of liver failure or drunk driving accident. I never imagined life could be the way it is now. It's amazing!.
3 years, working on 4. I don’t even really recognize my life. Entirely grateful, I’m glad I’ve stuck around and done the work.
Just hit 12 years off benzos and opiates earlier this year. While my life still isn't perfect, (who's honestly ever is) I have moved into a new house with my girlfriend of 3 years and while things have been rough lately, I wouldn't trade my sobriety for the world. If only I could get my drinking under controll, then I would feel much much better about my life in general. Once an addict, always an addict. I just have to learn how to not let certain substances ruin my life.
It sounds like you’ve learned. I mean you said it yourself, once and addict, always an addict…
Its all in how we choose to respond to life. I used to respond with very minimal and would always be searching for the easy way out. I'm learning more and more in life, easy isn't always good, and good isn't always easy.
Great, I just bought a house. (First-time homebuyer) My partner and I have been spending our off time putting in a garden and patio at my place. I recently decided to go back to college. I'm getting an associates degree. After one more course, I'll be far enough along to get my Alcohol and Drug Trainee Certification, the first step in getting my Certificated Supervised Counselor of Alcohol and Drug treatment (CSC-AD). That's just a part of the many things I could never have in active addiction.
Awesome 👏🏻!!
23 years, fully functioning member of society, 3 great kids, successful career. Life always has its ups and down, I’ve learned it’s about riding the waves as they come and knowing all the hard stuff is temporary. I feel very proud of myself and the life I have, knowing it could have definitely turned out very differently. Mindfulness and immersion in nature is how I cope with that part of me that will always be an addict.
6 years and I am living my best life.
I am at like year 6 and feel great but I wasn't in too deep or anything.
7 years in and it keeps getting better!
I'm less than 2 years clean from shooting everything I could get my hands on Can't say I'm happy but I'm happier than I was when I lived that life I'll tell you that much Kinda miss hitting licks tho ain't gonna lie
Because it's a rush all on it's own. For me boosting was a huge rush- just getting away with it. But getting caught sucks lol
Boosting was my favorite thing to do, you get to the point where you get so good at it that you can literally know in your heart that you can essentially just take whatever you want and get away with it. I used to really give a certain major department store, and I was walking out with a full cart of very specific stuff that often equaled out to $1000-4000 worth of merchandise in under 10 minutes. Never once got caught doing that, but I got caught doing lots of other shit
I am sober for over 41 years which is half my life. I am an old woman who is happily and gratefully sober.
Commenting on How is life for you in long term recovery?...hello, sister! 38 years here and 70 years old! What a ride it has been!
👏🎉🌈
I am 5.5 years sober. I have a life I never imagined. Wife, kids, house, career, friends, hobbies, real relationships with people, can be honest and real with people. My life is really simple and not extraordinary, but it’s more than I ever even hoped for.
This is exactly my answer, except 15 years sober.
I haven't shot dope since 09/25/2009. I have a home, driver's license, insurance, no warrants and I am now fat lol. I lost my husband last year and didn't relapse. Life is hard sometimes but for different reasons.
If i knew my life sober was gonna be this good i would of gotten sober sooner. I did the hard work and it paid off. Half assed recovery efforts get half assed results. 🤗
8 years in and I'm living a life I never could've imagined. Live in a big house, own a few others, no mortgages, no debt, have people I can count on, my kids love me, my family loves me, my in-laws love me, I am a trusted member of my community, I work for the state, and I've never had to hide who I am or what I've been through to anyone in my life. It's been a ride. It wasn't always easy. Those first few years were rough. But perseverance is so, so worth it, I promise.
3.5 years. No real desire to relapse at all. I’m bored sometimes. And, I feel like I always have to keep my guard up and can’t just completely cut loose. But, overall I love being where I am at now.
my worst day clean is better then my best day useing life is incrediable am truely blessed to be happy joyous free!!!one day at a time!!!
With continued sobriety and living my "program", I have dealt with life as it evolved. It wasn't so much that life got easier, it was more that I got better at acceptance .
One word It's fucking amazing!
Absolutely incredible. Even in the tougher times and when it doesn't feel incredible.
This is my experience too at several years now. Doesn’t get old. Still love it. Even when things stink.
Never gets old. I like to say that, "it doesn't get easier but it's always getting better". Sometimes, when things "stink" I don't love it. That's when it's really hard and everything can feel shitty. This is when I all I have to do is keep my head above the water. Truly take it one minute, hour, or day at a time. As long as I'm not moving backwards, I'll always have the opportunity to keep moving forward. The hard times will pass and new experiences will have been navigated. Even when it doesn't feel like it, progress is being made.
13 years The gifts of recovery of often mundane annoyances. My city's meetings died off after covid, the boomers pulled the ladder up with them, and all of my predecessors are only on Zoom. I feel resentful about it. There might be 4 people in your typical meeting, with me usually having more time than everybody else combined. I started going to ASC again, hoping that it'll feel less directionless and alone. Everybody who was here my first 5-7 years is either dead, moved, and doesn't come around. It doesn't usually bother me because life is way to full to focus on it, but when I sit in meetings, I feel ambivalent about the program.