24 Hours At A Time

I recently picked up a token for 1 year of continuous sobriety. A very short time ago, I thought that I would never, ever be able to say that. I had managed 7 months sober 3 different times, but inevitably I went back out. While I was in rehab last year, I was searching desperately for the missing ingredient in my recovery. I had gone to AA meetings, called my sponsor, practiced meditation; I had even worked a little with another alcoholic. What was missing? I asked a counselor in rehab what I was doing wrong. "Nothing," he replied. "Do what worked for 7 months, just do a little more of it." He suggested doing 2% more work towards recovery; I think I did about 25% more just to be sure. Whether you have been sober for 20 years or 1 year or 2 weeks, we all have to do the same things each day to stay sober. It doesn't get any harder down the road. If you stayed sober today through the program of Alcoholics Anonymous, just wake up tomorrow and do the same "stuff." Work the 12 steps, pray, and watch out for those people, places, and things that we call triggers. When you're finally sick and tired of being sick and tired, 2% more effort isn't asking too much. Keep coming back. If it kept me sober for a year, there is hope for all of us!!!-Frosty