This Friday I will joyously celebrate 15 years of living in recovery. I would never have expected in those early days of sobriety my life could become what it is today. Freedom is an incredible place to live.
It’s so easy to let our lives spiral out of control through our addictions. As I’ve said many times before, I come from a long line of addicts. I’m still amazed someone in our family tree could live 15 years without taking a single drink. I’m even more amazed that person is me.
I remember clearly many years ago, a guy at an AA meeting saying, “Sometimes I go for weeks and forget I’m an addict.” I could not even fathom at the time ever being able to speak those words. Today, I can honestly say that short, powerful sentence.
Alcohol and drugs no longer have a hold on me. I no longer think of them every moment of my life, and that is an incredible gift.
In honor of this wonderful celebration, I want to share some helpful tips that I feel have brought me to where I am today…
*4 Tips for Living Sober:
- Believe in something bigger than yourself. For me, that something is most definitely God. When I first became sober, I was not a Christian. It took me years to finally believe in Him, and let me tell you there is a reason I put this tip first. He makes sobriety so much easier!
His grace and strength are key to my recovery. Grace is what has helped me forgive myself and relax into the beautiful life I have today. His strength is what helps me get through each day without turning to alcohol or drugs.
There’s a famous saying in recovery. I recommend memorizing it:
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Choose friends wisely. I completely started over with the people in my life. I had to leave behind many friends and even some toxic family members. This is incredibly important and shockingly difficult.
I’m blessed with a husband who has never had a drink in his life. He is supportive on levels I never imagined someone could support me. Our kids make me want to stay present and be able to take care of them at all times.
People you love enough to want to stay sober for are an imperative part of recovery, whether they are friends, family members, or people you are serving in a volunteer position. Engage, don’t isolate.
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Find things you enjoy. I had such a hard time finding fun and laughter during the early years of sobriety. Everything I was used to doing involved alcohol.
Lately I have been throwing myself into decorating my house (more pictures to come). It was filled with hand me downs and I’m slowly replacing them with things I love and personally chose. It brings me so much joy to have a living environment covered with my personality and current style.
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Seek balance. Avoid obsessions in any area: food, shopping… This one is a work in progress for me. As addicts we often swap one addiction for another far too easily. If you have been here before, you know my current struggle is food.
We all have temptations and areas we fall short. The key is finding balance through it all.
The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.
~1 Corinthians 10:13 (NLT)
He will show us a way out.
I’m not giving up on the food issue and will have another update for you soon. This week I will bask in my freedom from alcohol and drugs that kept me imprisoned for far too long. I’m so glad you are here to celebrate 15 long, beautiful years of sobriety with me.
Hi Candace! My name is Joseph. I am a person living in recovery from alcohol and drugs successfully for 6.7 years now. I thoroughly enjoyed your artcle. Congratulations on your anniversary! Great information! Keep it coming! JA
So good to see you again, Joseph! Congrats on your almost 7 years of recovery. It is so wonderful to celebrate the passing years. I’m shocked it has been 15 years already! Thanks for the encouragement :).
Happy Birthday and what an inspiration. I have been clean and sober for almost 7 years so it is encouraging to see others living a full life of recovery and gratitude.
Thank you, Jessica! It’s always great to meet a sister in recovery :). I’m incredibly grateful for my milestone this week. So glad to have you here to celebrate with me!
15 years! YAY, God! Congrats, Candace, for achieving this wonderful milestone. I’m incredibly excited for you. What a redemption story you share!
A decade or so ago, I helped co-found a Celebrate Recovery program, a Christ-centered program for those ready to be free from their hurts, habits, hangups. https://www.celebraterecovery.com
So I am a huge champion of women like you who are done with their stuff and are ready to move ahead to something greater, free-er, healthier.
Hugs and prayers of praise …
I didn’t know you helped start Celebrate Recovery, Linda! That is so impressive. I knew I really liked you ;). I have checked into that program before but never followed through with a meeting. I think it would be a great support system for me. This may be my sign to finally make it to a meeting. Thanks for coming by to celebrate with me, my friend!
My pastor and I started a group in NY about a decade ago … Trained a fabulous group of leaders … Truly the safest, most glorious community I’ve ever been a part of. And oh, the healing God brought in those years!
I found a local group clicking through the link you shared. I’m going to check it out. Thanks for the support, Linda! I think it could help me with my current food addiction struggles, among other things :).
I’m working through Beth Moore’s Breaking Free right now, so freedom that comes in walking with Christ has been on my mind lately. Your testimony here is so full of God’s grace. Thanks for sharing and encouraging.
It was so nice to meet you today, Kristin! Breaking Free sounds like a great program. I love Beth Moore. I may have to read that one. Keep me posted how it goes for you. Thanks for stopping by :)!
Congratulations, Candace! Thank you so much for sharing. I love the tips, especially the saying – “Don’t tell God how big your addiction is; tell your addiction how big God is.” Blessings to you!
Thanks so much, Trudy! I love that quote. I need to remember to say it more when I’m dealing with my food issues :). Blessings to you too!
Candace you are an amazing person! I am so moved by your experiences. Thank you for sharing and hugs to you 🙂
Thanks, Jen! It’s an exciting week :). I’m in the middle of fixing up my craft room as a gift to myself. Hugs to you!!
Congrats to you all my love and support and prayers always.
Growing up with someone who also had issues I know that it is a daily issue and every day you stay sober is a reason to celebrate for sure. One day at a time stay strong and focused. Much blessings thank you for sharing your journey and possibly helping another xoxo!!! Very proud of you Candace.
Hi Mari! Thanks so much for your sweet encouragement. You are so right, every day of sobriety is to be celebrated. It is such a gift! Much love to you!
Congratulations! I think your tips are helpful for everyone, and the last one is equally necessary in all areas of life.
Blessings,
Dawn
Thanks, Dawn! I so agree these tips can help us all. The last one is definitely what I struggle with the most. Finding balance is not an easy task!
Congratulations, Candace!! I’m so proud of you!! Will say a prayer for you especially tomorrow as you celebrate the milestones!
I just love how you talk about appreciating your blog readers/friends being here to celebrate with you….I’m amazed by the bonds of friendship that have been forged thru the blogosphere…who knew that would happen when we started up our little virtual homes on the web…I never thought in a million years that I’d cross paths with so many who would become as important to me as those I see everyday!! It’s the best thing about blogging…I,too, am grateful for the people I’ve met thru my own blog and I am SO happy that I got to befriend you, esp in order to celebrate such amazing times as this.
So impressed with you. I know what a struggle it can be…not personally, but I have a brother, with whom I am very close, who fights his addictions regularly. You’re really an inspiration!
I’ll be in touch:)
Have a great day Candace and Happy Halloween
I’m also amazed by the friendships I’ve developed online. When I started blogging, I never imagined the places it would take me and the wonderful people (like you!) who would be brought into my life. I’m so thankful and blessed by each you :). I’m sorry your brother is still struggling, Chris. I will definitely pray for him. Addictions are incredibly difficult to beat. I certainly still have some demons myself, such as my food issues. Happy Halloween to you, my friend!
Oh how this makes me SO happy for you and for God’s Power working through you, my friend!!
You are a strong, courageous and faithful soul- and I am honored to know you, and I am THRILLED for your peace, your joy, and your life free of this prison of addiction.
May God continue to bless you and fill you my friend.
You’re testimony is powerful. Keep shining and sharing your victory!!!
And here’s to another 15 years!!
Here’s to another 15 years, my friend! Love it! Thanks for your always sweet encouragement, Chris! I honestly never thought I would see this many years of sobriety and now it is just a part of me. I can’t imagine going back. Thanks so much for celebrating with me :)!
Congratulations on your achievement! I know this will encourage many people who are struggling!
Thanks, Sarah! I hope it reaches many who are out there struggling with addiction. That is truly why I started this blog. I know that pain far too well. It is wonderful to write from the other side :).
Congrats Candice!!! I guess I can’t fully understand when someone has had an addiction, but I have had loved ones go through it. Your story has been such an inspiration to me and I am so glad we met on G+. I’m always so excited to read your posts on Fridays. May God stay strong in your life.
Thanks so much for your sweet support, Tammy! You are appreciated, my friend. I’m so thankful we were brought together as well. We seem to have so much in common. I think watching loved ones go through addiction can sometimes be worse than actually being the addict. You are so helpless to do anything. Unfortunately, I have been on both sides, the addict and watching someone I love without being able to save them. Many prayers for your suffering loved ones!
Thanks for sharing where you have been and how God and family has helped you to get where you are now. It was an encouraging post!
Thanks, Tammy! I feel so blessed today. My husband has been incredibly sweet and celebratory with me. We are about to go out for a “birthday” lunch :).
Candace –
Congrats on your steps torwards sobriety, and yet you have this great testimony of what God has done and will do. I know your journey has not been easy but as he leads you in the “Exodus” in a new life, you will be blessed. I love the saying.
Where I am from we say ” My God is Large and in Charge”
Blessings! 🙂
I love that, Sarah! I will have to remember your saying. Thanks for sharing it with me and for your loving encouragement!
I clicked over here from your comment on my blog. What a great place and what a beautiful testimony you have!
Thank you so much, Elizabeth. I’m really growing to love it here :). I’m so glad you came over to visit!
Congratulation, Candace! This is a beautiful way to celebrate . . . leaving words of encouragement for others. God bless you. xoxo
Thanks, Beth! Many blessings to you, my friend :).
Thanks for sharing this advice on staying sober. As someone who struggles with a bit of an alcohol addiction, I think that I need some help. It isn’t good to stay addicted to a certain substance for so long. Hopefully these tips can help me make sure to keep myself away from alcohol for a long time.
I so hope this helps you, Delores. It seems like yesterday I was trying to get sober. I’m constantly amazed at how many beautiful years have now passed by. Definitely reach out for help. It’s a tough thing to struggle with alone. Praying for you! If you need to talk, I’m here :).