In recovery, we’re always told that we only have today clean and sober. But I always get goosebumps when I hear people who get 10 years, 20 years or more without alcohol or drugs. I can’t help but feel a rush of hope and gratitude for the people before me who show me how to do this.
One of those folks is Bellevue salesman Brett G., who celebrated 20 years sober yesterday (May 28). I asked Brett for some thoughts on his big day.
7306 days. That’s 20 years, I remember when I picked up that “white chip” all those many days ago. I remember thinking “What’s the use? I won’t stay sober anyway.” But, I wanted to be back with my family and this was the only way I knew how.
When I was a kid, I always ran with the older guys in my neighborhood, and I started drinking the summer before ninth grade. I had a fake ID that I got out of the back of a magazine, and I got served in the liquor store when I was 15.
Eventually, I spent years trying to figure out if I was an alcoholic. Then one day, I was going to the Indianapolis 500 and I got in a big fight with my wife. I was crying uncontrollably and laughing uncontrollably, and neither one is very good for driving. I knew I wouldn’t make it to Indy.
I pulled into a friend’s house who was in [recovery], and I had a bottle. And I had that moment of clarity, while I was drinking: I had to stop.
In the 20 years since, there have been successes, failures, divorce, a business divorce. I got fired, I started a new business in a new town, new love, loss of love, moved seven times in three years and that’s the last three years.
It certainly hasn’t been all roses, but, I’ve done it all sober and felt everything, good and bad.
I have real friends today and best of all, I’ve learned how to be a friend.
If you would have told me then that I would have made it 20 years I wouldn’t have believed it, but, it still was just a daily thing.
The greatest things I can say that got me here are prayer and working with others.
Oh, and not drinking or drugging.
On my 20th birthday, I got word that my step-daughter, who has three children, left her kids and her house, and I believe she’s actively using drugs today. And it’s causing great pain for me and my grandchildren.
Isn’t that ironic?
I had so many people call and text and reach out to congratulate me on 20 years sober. That feels good. And my step-daughter reminds me I’m so close to my next drink, that this disease is everywhere.
Thank you, Brett, for sharing, and congratulations on 20 years — and on being a good friend to people like me.
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