14 months ago, I left Duffy’s and I had no idea what or how my new found sobriety was going to go.
Dreams of an Alcoholic
I came home to a house absent of any alcohol and have a wife and step-son that are completely happy and supportive. I do not have the cravings for alcohol, but every now and then, I have a dream in which I am drinking and no one around me cares that I am having a drink. I, on the other hand, have this feeling of guilt and incredible remorse for taking that drink because I know that I just blew my 14 months of sobriety.
Being sober has been such a relief and weight off of my shoulders. When I wake-up from those dreams, I am so happy to know that it was just a dream—nightmare, and I have thankfully not blown my sobriety.
The Beauty of Life in Sobriety
Every aspect of my life has improved. My health is better and I am losing weight slowly. I have paid-off several loans and my credit is back to excellent. I look forward to going to work everyday and my coworkers now know that I went to Duffy’s and are all in support.
The Haze of Addiction
In the haze, I never understood what was actually wrong in my life. I remember the first four or five days at Duffy’s. I was convinced that It was just not the place for me. I knew better.
Then about the 4th day, I started to listen in group meetings and I started to realize that I was just as bad off as the rest of the people there. I realized that I needed help. Getting involved at Duffy’s was key to my sobriety.
I remember thinking how strange it was to look forward to doing the dishes. My buddy Erik and I did them for a week straight. And I actually enjoyed it!
“I REMEMBER THINKING HOW STRANGE IT WAS TO LOOK FORWARD TO DOING THE DISHES.”
My wife has a saying for that, “Teamwork makes the dream work.”
Free to Live
My wife and I are going to take a trip back to Duffy’s on our new Harley that is now paid for, and I can’t wait to have dinner and attend a meeting. I have a new life, and I am loving it!
Thank you Dale, for sharing your story with us, and for reminding us that we no longer have to live in the nightmare of addiction but can wake up to a beautiful new life of sobriety!
If you have a recovery story let us know! We’d love to share your story of hope as a guest post!