OT: Today is my 35th Anniversary

[mars]

Hi Everybody

Today is my 35th anniversary of stopping drinking.

I got sober in Alcoholics Anonymous, and will always be grateful to them, but I have not been to meetings on a regular basis for nearly 28 years. They are not really happy with someone who does not need meetings to stay sober, does not agree with their concept of a higher power, and does not believe that alcoholism is a disease.

So as the only regular "meeting" I currently go to is here, I thought I would celebrate with my friends on this forum.

16 years of compulsive drinking had preceeded this day in 1974. What follows is the culmination of those 16 years.

35 years ago, on the 23rd November 1974, I left my wife at home to go to a work-mate's bachelor party. I took a sleeping bag as I did not intend to drive home. I got there early afternoon and drank without stopping until I was a screaming mess, wanting to fight everybody. I eventually collapsed. When I regained consciousness I staggered to my car and drove off.

I was in the Dandenong Hills, outside Melbourne, where the roads are narrow, and there is bush and trees right up to the edge of the road. Now, sometimes, when I got drunk, I would drive on the right hand side of the road, just as I did in Vietnam. Australia drives on the left. That evening I drove on the right side of the road again and had cars going everywhere. The police chased me,and stopped me 3 times before being able to get at the car keys, and disable the car. Twice I had set off with a police-woman standing in front of my car. Fortunately for both of us she managed to get out of the way. When they eventually got me to the police station and took my blood alcohol level it was .21.

I spent the night in a cell, shivering and shaking. When I woke up in the morning I knew, absolutely knew, that drinking was my problem. Ending a social drinking occasion looking at a prison sentence finally demolished my denial.The previous 16 years of my life passed through my head, and I could see what I had done to myself and others because of my drinking. None of it was good. I had reached rock bottom, and have not had a drink since.

Sobriety has not made the world into a rose coloured garden. But it is no longer a world of my fantasy, fuelled by alcohol, grandiosity and resentment. Getting in touch with reality has been painful and difficult, especially as I have had untreated sleep apnea for all of my sobriety, except the last few months. But even so, in sobriety I am at last getting to know me, and what an amazing journey that has turned out to be.

So I thought I would share my Anniversary with you all. I have to admit that I did not expect that as I got older I would have all the health problems that I have, but I am always very happy to be sober, because everything else in my life depends on it.

cheers

Mars

[KatieW]

Wow, that's quite a story of survival Mars. Congratulations!

[Muse-Inc]

Well, Dusty, tell your human friend that his is a truly inspiring story! I applaud those able to turn their lives around, so congrats Mars, I wish ya many, many more years of sobriety.

[DoriC]

Mars, I just knew there was "something" about you! I'm glad you're here with us. Of course you just know I'm going to ask about your wife, is she also celebrating with you? And if so, did you buy her a nice present? Congratulations, Dori

[-SWS]

CONGRATULATIONS and a very happy wave from the other side of the equator, Mars!!!



Well done!!!

[kteague]

Thank you for sharing your anniversary with us. It's always interesting to read bits of the lives of others we've come know on here. That was much more than a bit. Your insights spoke volumes, especially the following...

"Sobriety has not made the world into a rose coloured garden. But it is no longer a world of my fantasy, fuelled by alcohol, grandiosity and resentment. Getting in touch with reality has been painful and difficult, especially as I have had untreated sleep apnea for all of my sobriety, except the last few months. But even so, in sobriety I am at last getting to know me, and what an amazing journey that has turned out to be."

Whether due to substance abuse, social posturing, or survival, living life in a contrived "reality" forces a deadness to some aspect of our being. Your description of your experience with this touched me. Thank you for your transparency.

It took me a moment to get what you were saying about your avatar till I remembered the unique bike once holding that position. I had before wondered about your connection with bikes. Don't have to wonder about Dusty - who wouldn't love that face! Hope the bike ride was good.

Kathy

[rested gal]

Good for you, Mars!!

[Uncle_Bob]

Thanks for sharing that Mars, It is enlightening to know of other peoples challenges while trying to deal with ones own.

"Dandenong Hills" I wonder how you pronounce that

Happy Anniversary and well done mate !!

UB

[dsm]

Mars,

That took some guts to say !. Good for you & thankfully you came out of it without any added horrors such as could have happened in the circumstances.

Please accept my congratulations on your '35th anniversary'

DSM


PS I am trying to picture how Mars survived driving on the RHS of the road in the Dandenongs (Pron: Dan-de-nongs) - those roads were always soooo narrow and winding !!!.



D

[DreamOn]

Congratulations, Mars!!! And thanks so much for sharing your very moving story. May you have many more happy years, lived "one day at a time"!

~ DreamOn

[BleepingBeauty]

Congratulations, mars, and thanks for sharing such a difficult and personal story. I'm glad you're here.

[tattooyu]

Congratulations Mars. Rock on!

[Kiralynx]

Mars,

Quite a story of survival.... congratulations on 35 years.

And thank you for sharing it with us.

[rosiefrosie]

Congrats Mars!

rosie

[Wulfman]

Congratulations on your 35th anniversary, Mars.

Best wishes,


Den