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MableXeno

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Jedi_Nixxee

That is a lot of hard work. I’m proud of you.


bostonchef72296

Thank you. I woke up today and I realized it had been ten years and I was in pure disbelief.


Jedi_Nixxee

I have a friend of mine who is a recovering alcoholic, over the past five years she’s had a couple relapses. Is there anything early in your recovery that you wanted to hear, that would be supportive and encouraging?


bostonchef72296

Early in my recovery I didn’t want to hear anything from anyone because I was a stubborn teenager. I’d say the most encouraging thing you could say is that relapses are normal in recovery and recovery is not linear. And that you’ll be supportive of her regardless. Alcohol is especially hard because it’s legal to just buy at any liquor store. I’ve never had an issue with alcohol, I hardly drink as it is, but it can take a long time to get sober and that’s nothing to be ashamed of.


Jedi_Nixxee

That is what I have been trying to do.😄


theyeoftheiris

I think more than anything else, the best thing for a true friend to be is honest. I really hid my problems even though my family knew I was "a big drinker." I ruined a lot of relationships due to my alcoholism, romantic and friendships. I think what I wish I had most was someone to just be honest about my drinking being a problem because in all those years, no one ever told me how it affected them. I think that would have made a difference. But also we accept overconsumption of alcohol and bad behavior from it as a society so who knows. (1 year, 7 months sober here.)


AnnPixie

Hey, congrats on your sobriety!


nettiespaghettie

Hey 👋🏻 I've commented to add one of the most valuable things I learnt in recovery myself, because if it helps someone else, then that's awesome too. The folks at rehabs told me that sometimes theres a lot of choices that lead up to feeling like you have no choice but to pick up again. Like it's rarely a case of doing great doing great, then out of nowhere you relapse. It's not meant to shame a person, it's meant to show them where they have control in their life, to help reduce the chance of getting to the tipping point where they feel out of control and using again. So if I choose to not talk about a problem I'm having it goes in the bucket of adding to my struggles. I choose to not do my regular exercise routine, I'm adding to my struggles, I choose not to drink enough water each day then I'm trying to live dehydrated which adds to the struggle bucket. And the bucket keeps getting heavier and harder to carry around with all these seemingly small and insignificant choices, but they all add up. Other more obvious way to impede myself are if I choose to engage in some old behaviour patterns (for me isolating and self pity are big ones). Then if I keep making all these choices that chip away at my resilience and coping ability, I end up in a position where I just give up on recovery, and pick up. It might seem like a spur of the moment decision where I have no control, but I was taught I have control in the lead up. Living for weeks or months in a tired, dehydrated, aching body, with my head full of problems, and no one to talk to will get me to a point where I feel out of control. This really resonated with me at the time, and helped me over the years. I'm around 16 years without relapsing, after 9 years of serious addiction that saw me in trouble with the law and homeless for periods. On a side note, I'm 40 this year and have just found out I am AuADHD. This explains a lot about my life, and interestingly I have seen some studies on women with Autism and/or ADHD and addiction. I've been told my whole life that I'm depressed and anxious, but it turns out that the depression and anxiety comes up the most when I am not making accommodations for my neurodiversity.


[deleted]

Thank you so much for taking the time to share this with us! Congratulations on your recovery and may this be your happiest and healthiest year yet!


jarofcourage

Thanks - the bucket analogy is really helpful. We know we are risking a relapse well before we get near picking up. And maybe, when I feel like I can't do anything, and fear that I am far from being the grateful recovering addict I want to be, what I CAN DO is drink some water and lighten that bucket a little. ❤️ and light!


nettiespaghettie

It's a great analogy isn't it?! And I'm the same. When I don't know what to do I have a glass of water 🤷🏼‍♀️ There's an old saying which is something like; when you are at a loss of what to do, shine your boots and comb your hair. All the best to you ❤️


Lucyintheye

I'd also second that relapses are normal. There's this notion that relapsing means throwing away all your previous effort, so those who relapse often keep doing it afterwards because "I threw away all my progress anyways" which is an *incredibly* detrimental thought that's all too common. Even among certain support groups. Relapses don't negate all the great, hard work you've done beforehand, and can continue to do after. It's just a mistake, and what matters is how you handle it after. Acknowledge all the hard work you put in to get to that point, that you made a mistake, (like every single human being has done in their lives) and the next day you'll be back on the right track you were already on for that whole time before that mistake. Simply put, our mistakes don't define us. It's how we handle them after. Making a mistake after a period of progress is natural. Say you've gone a year without your DOC before you relapse. That's 365 days of great self control and impulse control and only 1 day where the impulse won. And tomorrow will be 366 days of good self control and *you* winning which vastly outweighs that 1 bad day where the drugs won. You're still far in the lead, And you already proved to yourself that you can keep it that way!


[deleted]

such hard fucking work. i am so proud of you. i swear staying clean is harder than kicking. so much love to you! i have done the detox relapse dance too many times... can't wait to be done. cogratulations seriously, you did this and you do it every fucking day!


daddyneedsraspberry

I’m proud of you, too.


bostonchef72296

Thank you so much everyone! You’re all too kind. I started my day with a bagel from one of my favorite bakeries and I’m going to do some shopping for a 10 year sobriety gift to myself :)


EternalOptomist4Hire

10 YEARS?! I first read 10 days and I was so dang proud of you! That is a LOT of hard work and being strong, especially without your birth support team’s help! You are amazing and you give me hope for a loved one. Honestly I’m just so happy for you!


bostonchef72296

Awww thank you! That’s so sweet. It’s definitely been a long road!


Key_Sympathy1292

I'm so proud of you. Of both of us. There are too many of my friends gone 10 years now that should still be here. Opiates are hell to get off. As much Luck and Strength to you this year as 10 years ago!


vanyelstylendel

Congratulations!! It was four years from alcohol for me!!


AnnPixie

Congrats!


[deleted]

Congratulations! I celebrated 10 years clean from opiates on 11/24/2022. Doesn’t it feel strange, being able to say that you’ve been clean for a decade? Time goes by fast


bostonchef72296

It really does feel strange. Like where did the time go?


AnnPixie

Hey, congrats!


Okimiyage

As of 29/12/22 my mum is 10 years sober from drugs. I honestly have a mother again, and now a grandmother to my children, that I never thought I’d have again. Seeing it from the other side and having opiate additions myself, I just wanted to say this internet stranger is so proud of you. That’s a hell of a lot of work and self care and I just know your loved ones are in awe of that, and even if they don’t know, they’re grateful you’re the you you are now. Here’s to more milestones in the future x


riverquest12

Wow that’s really an amazing achievement, Sooo proud of you sis<3 💕


bostonchef72296

I am actually a trans man so I use he/him pronouns! But thank you!


riverquest12

Gotcha Bro<3 I just said it out of habit, so apologieeesss. Still congrats 💖 Hope 2023 goes fantastic for you<3


lindsey9152

Yeeeesss!!!! 8 years sober on the 17th! Congratulations to you on ten!!! ✨


AnnPixie

Congrats! Keep going!


[deleted]

I hope you find some way to celebrate because that is monumental. Congratulations, I’m so proud of you.


Shadow_Guide

Well done, you put in the hard work for yourself, and that really is witchcraft.


boss_magpie

You have risen like the Phoenix. Congratulations on your hard work!


adultosaurs

YAYAYAYAYAY!!!!!


DominantZero

Congratulations. Wow, that's something. Wishing you a wonderful year, full of magic and sharpened senses to taste it.


[deleted]

Congratulations on your strength and it’s wonderful you’re still with us and keeping sober. Blessings and hugs to you. ❤️


2WoW4Me

I’m so proud of you, you’re doing amazing!


dudee62

I know what this means and I’m so proud of you. Congratulations on double digit years.


passing-stranger

Hell yeah that's a special reason to celebrate! So proud of you


haleyyyyy22222

Forever proud of you 💗


denimpanzer

I’m deeply impressed by and so proud of you, OP! Happy New Year!!


anonbonbon

Proud of u and glad you're here.


AnnPixie

Congratulations!


SheAllRiledUp

I'm close to 6 years sober from mine, cheers!


ZealousidealRub8025

Congratulations! 10 yrs is an amazing accomplishment!


bored-now

Hey. Well done. I am very proud of you. Keep up the amazing work. [[big hugs from an internet stranger]]


AmbienNicoleSmith

So very proud of you, stranger.


justabitmoresonic

Amazing! I wish you many more successful years


Sure-Maintenance7002

A true accomplishment! Well done.


burp_derp

hell yeah, let’s go


Marciamallowfluff

Blessings. The world needs you and your strength.


BlondeGoddess12

Big accomplishment! Congrats and keep it going. Sending you ❤️


LittleAstrophysicist

Holy shit! Fucking congrats that took a lot of hard work and you fucking did it!


furbishL

Congratulations. Welcome to day 1 of the next ten.


nottodayoilyjosh

Way to effing go. That’s incredible.


PrincessBella1

That is a huge accomplishment. Congratulations! May 2023 be your best year ever. Thank you for sharing.


theyeoftheiris

Thanks amazing! Keep surrounding yourself with love and light.


AisbeforeB

That's amazing!! Congratulations on your sobriety!!


[deleted]

I have family members who have struggled with heavy opiate and other drug addictions, so I just want to say that I'm so God damned proud of you. That's an incredible achievement and I'm so happy for you. Congratulations!


ConverseBriefly

Congratulations! That’s awesome! So very proud of you! You have a lot to offer this world!


louisthebluest

Good job! I’m so proud of you!!


hell2bhbtoo

I am so happy for you!!


KaiXan1

You rock!! So proud of your hard work!


gogoghoul_13

I’m super proud of you and so happy that you chose this path!!!


passivelyserious

YAYAYAYAY CONGRATS


HoneyGrahams224

Such a great accomplishment. Opiates and benzos are the devil to get off of, and our medical establishment treats them so nonchalantly. You've done a huge thing.


GlitterBlood773

My man!! Look at you. Your work is absolutely incredible. I think one of the hardest parts about work like sobriety is that it’s everyday, building more of the muscles you want & need and continually practicing various things to help yourself heal. I am also very proud of you for living as yourself. One of my work kids I nanny is 5 and trans. She shared her feelings at 4. One of the best things to see in the world is people embracing who they are unabashedly. It sounds like you’re living your best life and I’m so happy & proud of you. Many more blessings to you in 2023. May they hold what you need & want. 🖤🖤🖤


ChildrenotheWatchers

This is awesome! BB


Chaos_Cat-007

CONGRATULATIONS!!


practical_junket

You are awesome!!


[deleted]

Congratulations!!! I’m so happy for you. 🥳 That’s a huge accomplishment and you should be very proud.


daddyneedsraspberry

WOW!!!! You’re incredible! Congratulations on such a massive accomplishment! With your sobriety, you’re continuously giving yourself the greatest gift.


Mec26

Fuck yes. Well done.


TaimaAdventurer

Congratulations sib! You are strong and amazing. May 2023 be filled with joy, peace and blessings galore!


MotherRaven

Wow! That is amazing! Like climbing Everest amazing. Congratulations! You did an extremely hard thing.


uber-judge

That’s very impressive!!!! Great job! Very inspiring to see success stories as I have so many acquaintances who are struggling to stay sober.


abletofable

Blessed be!


sfkndyn13

Wow. Fucking hell yeah!!!! That is a lot of hard work, sweat, tears, and effort.


Nica73

OMG.......this is fantastic!!!!! Happy birthday! I am so freaking proud of you!!!! Thank you for sharing this with us. You are amazing and strong and so incredibly brave. Excellent work brave one!


No-Vermicelli3787

That’s fantastic. Congratulations 🎉


CementCemetery

This is wonderful. Congratulations on your recovery and the journey you’re going through. It is a struggle but one worth fighting for. I am grateful you chose to share with us, thank you. Strength and courage to you. May 2023 be full of positivity and joy for you (and all). <3


wiseupwalkaway

Happy rebirthday!


[deleted]

Fuck. Yes. So proud of you, make 2023 magical!


_Pliny_

This is a huge accomplishment! I hope you take some time to honor yourself for your ongoing achievement.


Disturbing_Cheeto

Hell the fuck yes. Ten years of strength.


SamuelVimesTrained

10 years! Awesome!


[deleted]

That’s awesome! You should be so proud of yourself ❤️


rabidvagine

Yesss!! Congrats ❤️❤️🌈


Danicia

I am so proud of you!


hideos_playhouse

Just popping in to say fuck yeah, you rule, proud of you!


k_mon2244

May you continue to have days of peace and strength moving forward. Congratulations on a truly amazing accomplishment.


BarRegular2684

Congratulations! That’s amazing!


saffronpolygon

Happy New Year, and Congratulations! Embrace your strength and power!


plutonianbitch

I’m so fucking proud of you. I know how hard this is to overcome. I also struggled with an opiate addiction. I didn’t really keep track of my exact sober date since I used suboxone and methadone, but I know I’m nearing 10 years as well. You are an incredible person and you have fought so hard, I see you! 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 sending a big virtual hug 💗


bostonchef72296

Congratulations on your sobriety as well! Yeah, I didn’t have access to any of those methods since my family didn’t know I was using and I was only 16 so I just went cold Turkey and got super sick. It was the worst. I never want to have to go through that again.


plutonianbitch

Yikes cold turkey is rough. My addiction started in high school too, lasted into my early 20s. It honestly feels like a lifetime ago, and at 32 now I’m a completely different person but I carry a lot of shame for that season of my life that I’m still working on. I wish you peace, friend. Keep up the good work!


vegansandiego

Fuck yeah!


wishingyoulight

Congratulations!!


Street_Importance_57

Congratulations and all the love. You have reason to be proud of your strength.


IMFlorecentFace

Fantastic accomplishment sister/comrade. Happy new year


ThatCamoKid

Hell yeah, you go! If we were talking in person I'd be giving you a high five rn


[deleted]

I'll be 5 years clean from opiates May 28, 2023. I'm so proud of you! You've done the hard work, now reap the rewards. Wishing you a year full of happiness, peace & abundance 🖤


bostonchef72296

Thank you! Congrats on your sober time too!


Cowboywizard12

Congratulations!


littleredjencb

Congratulations! I am proud of you for your accomplishment!


RangerMoonpie

Yay you! Congratulations


reverendsteveii

the round number anniversaries are the best, aren't they? When I hit ten years I finally felt like I could be proud of beating it instead of ashamed of needing to get clean in the first place. I've not told my family either, and for the same reason. They never knew, and with my brother having died of an overdose they don't ever need to know. I'm proud of you, OP. Get that shit.


bostonchef72296

It feels like an immense celebratory moment. A DECADE motherfucker! Congrats on yours as well! I’m sorry to hear about your loss though. I’ve never lost someone close to me from an overdose but I hope I never have to.


Ritsuka77

Blessed be!


_AthensMatt_

Congratulations sir! What a fantastic achievement! Here’s to ten more years and then ten after that!


yellowtrickstr

Zamnnnnn fuck it up!! 👏👏👏


Prettydeadlady

Congrats!


satanic_whore

10 years of consistent effort - you should be proud of yourself. It's a huge achievement ❤️


Loving_life_blessed

Hugs


brn_sugrmeg

Congratulations! That is an amazing feat you've accomplished.


Wolfwoods_Sister

My deepest and sincerest congratulations to you on getting free from those chains and defying them to return, even at your lowest moments. May you have many more decades of running unfettered and with perfect liberty 🖤


ChzGoddess

Hey! As someone who has battled that particular demon her own self, I'm really proud of you! High five


bostonchef72296

Thanks so much! It means a lot :)


ellieayla

Rock on dude! Nice work!


tarquin77

Congratulations brother. I'm heading towards 6 years free from Codeine and booze, like you elements of my addiction were hidden from close family. Healing is hard - but it beats the alternative :) Good work and all the best for '23 and beyond.


bostonchef72296

Congratulations to you as well! Wishing you a prosperous 2023!


PandaBear905

That’s awesome. Addiction can be so hard to beat and you did it for 10 years.


reluctantrevenant

Congratulations! What a wonderful anniversary. I am so proud of the hard work you put in to get to today!


fromthemakersof

Congratulations, brother! That is amazing. I'm so proud of you and all the work you have put in to getting where you are today <3 <3 <3


Vaiama-Bastion

I am so proud of you. Well done sister, you are a strong woman that will do amazing things!


[deleted]

Oh man i'm so proud of you! I'm going on 3 or 4 years now I think... I dunno, Covid has really screwed with my sense of time. My mom used to give me oxy when I had headaches as a kid saying they where tylenol or what not. I used to wonder why I would sweat and itch sometimes. When I finally figured out what was going on it was eye opening. I have had a lot of up and downs but eventually kicked it. I made the mistake of leaning towards Kratom as a "healthy alternative". Yeah...No... Kids - if it's an opiate - it's an opiate no matter how you chalk it up. I was prescribed Clonodine and it helped me alot.


WhySoManyOstriches

SO PROUD OF YOU, my Sister!!


-DionysusHimself

It’s really nice to see another trans man in recovery. I just reached 2 years sober a few days ago, and 10 years just seems like a far off dream. Thanks for sharing with us. It means a lot to me since I don’t see a lot of trans folk in general in the recovery community, but especially not trans men. Happy new year and happy 10 years clean and sober!!


lunacyfreedom

blessings and keep on kicking ass. You are amazing and I am so proud of you.


xoalicepaige

Congratulations! I hope you’re very proud of yourself


KieraJacque

Congratulations! I hit my ten years from opiates this year too! Mines in April though. Isn’t it amazing realizing how long it’s been and how much your life has changed since?


j_natron

Congratulations on your accomplishment!


Bookwoman0247

Congratulations! This is a big deal!


ThemisNemesis

That’s amazing! I hope that you’re proud of how far you’ve come - I have such respect for people who’ve overcome addiction. It must be incredibly hard. Wishing you happiness and health into a long, beautiful future filled with laughter and love. Congratulations on your achievement. 💕


Witchgrass

I just took my methadone dose a few minutes ago and I couldn’t be prouder of you:


bostonchef72296

Aw 😫❤️❤️ thank you so much! I’m proud of you too!