OT:. But for the Grace of God... 18 years today

[EricStratton-RushChairman]

Today marks 18 years since I had my last drink. I post this not as a flex (there's only 2-3 people in here that know who I am), but rather to let those who may know someone struggling, or struggling themselves, there is hope. I wasn't the worst case to recover but I was in a really dark place in the early 2000's. Failed marriage, financial implosion, a mountain of legal issues, and eventually diagnosed repressed PTSD (which really almost killed me). I cycled in and out of mental health/rehab centers, 6 in total, over the course of 3 years. For me, I had to remove everything in my life except to focus on the original 12 step program and service work. Now I have an amazing life I could never have imagined... Wonderful marriage, grand children, and a successful career.

If you want a great endorsement on the power of recovery I give you this 9 min clip from Craig Furguson. Forward this clip to someone you know who may be struggling...

 

[CVLion]

It’s not a flex to celebrate a personal victory of this magnitude and share it as a source of hope and inspiration for others. Very happy for you!

Warm congratulations, best wishes, and thank you!

 

[Midnighter]

Today marks 18 years since I had my last drink. I post this not as a flex (there's only 2-3 people in here that know who I am), but rather to let those who may know someone struggling, or struggling themselves, there is hope. I wasn't the worst case to recover but I was in a really dark place in the early 2000's. Failed marriage, financial implosion, a mountain of legal issues, and eventually diagnosed repressed PTSD (which really almost killed me). I cycled in and out of mental health/rehab centers, 6 in total, over the course of 3 years. For me, I had to remove everything in my life except to focus on the original 12 step program and service work. Now I have an amazing life I could never have imagined... Wonderful marriage, grand children, and a successful career.

If you want a great endorsement on the power of recovery I give you this 9 min clip from Craig Furguson. Forward this clip to someone you know who may be struggling...

Interesting to note alcohol consumption is way down In the U.S. - in large part because younger folks don’t drink at all or as much. Weird because they face some serious existential issues (cost of everything, AI taking jobs, isolation because of social media, etc).

Cheers though Eric (not the drink ‘’Cheers’ but rather the ‘good job!’ version)!

 

[JohnJumba]

Today marks 18 years since I had my last drink. I post this not as a flex (there's only 2-3 people in here that know who I am), but rather to let those who may know someone struggling, or struggling themselves, there is hope. I wasn't the worst case to recover but I was in a really dark place in the early 2000's. Failed marriage, financial implosion, a mountain of legal issues, and eventually diagnosed repressed PTSD (which really almost killed me). I cycled in and out of mental health/rehab centers, 6 in total, over the course of 3 years. For me, I had to remove everything in my life except to focus on the original 12 step program and service work. Now I have an amazing life I could never have imagined... Wonderful marriage, grand children, and a successful career.

If you want a great endorsement on the power of recovery I give you this 9 min clip from Craig Furguson. Forward this clip to someone you know who may be struggling...

You are one of the 3-6% who make it.

 

[Bvillebaron]

Today marks 18 years since I had my last drink. I post this not as a flex (there's only 2-3 people in here that know who I am), but rather to let those who may know someone struggling, or struggling themselves, there is hope. I wasn't the worst case to recover but I was in a really dark place in the early 2000's. Failed marriage, financial implosion, a mountain of legal issues, and eventually diagnosed repressed PTSD (which really almost killed me). I cycled in and out of mental health/rehab centers, 6 in total, over the course of 3 years. For me, I had to remove everything in my life except to focus on the original 12 step program and service work. Now I have an amazing life I could never have imagined... Wonderful marriage, grand children, and a successful career.

If you want a great endorsement on the power of recovery I give you this 9 min clip from Craig Furguson. Forward this clip to someone you know who may be struggling...

Congratulations. Truly an inspiring story.

 

[Ceasar]

Very inspirational Eric. Thank you for sharing.

 

[haveyoumethoward]

45 years since my last drink. No outside help, I just decided that was it, no more. I knew if I stayed on that road, I wouldn't make it much further. Best decision I ever made.
So, whatever it takes, I encourage all who have drug or alcohol issues, make that decision, take that step, it's truly worth it.

 

[Moogy]

Interesting to note alcohol consumption is way down In the U.S. - in large part because younger folks don’t drink at all or as much. Weird because they face some serious existential issues (cost of everything, AI taking jobs, isolation because of social media, etc).

Cheers though Eric (not the drink ‘’Cheers’ but rather the ‘good job!’ version)!

Every generation faces "existential issues" ... drinking is down because of a variety of factors, including people being less social, the legalization of weed and shrooms in various forms, and the increasing encroachment of health consciousness.

Weed and shrooms may or may not be healthier alternatives to alcohol, but I'm sure, as the years go by, we'll have more and more studies highlighting the downfalls of medicating yourself that way, as well.

 

[slwlion01]

Today marks 18 years since I had my last drink. I post this not as a flex (there's only 2-3 people in here that know who I am), but rather to let those who may know someone struggling, or struggling themselves, there is hope. I wasn't the worst case to recover but I was in a really dark place in the early 2000's. Failed marriage, financial implosion, a mountain of legal issues, and eventually diagnosed repressed PTSD (which really almost killed me). I cycled in and out of mental health/rehab centers, 6 in total, over the course of 3 years. For me, I had to remove everything in my life except to focus on the original 12 step program and service work. Now I have an amazing life I could never have imagined... Wonderful marriage, grand children, and a successful career.

If you want a great endorsement on the power of recovery I give you this 9 min clip from Craig Furguson. Forward this clip to someone you know who may be struggling...

 

[Fayette_LION]

Today marks 18 years since I had my last drink. I post this not as a flex (there's only 2-3 people in here that know who I am), but rather to let those who may know someone struggling, or struggling themselves, there is hope. I wasn't the worst case to recover but I was in a really dark place in the early 2000's. Failed marriage, financial implosion, a mountain of legal issues, and eventually diagnosed repressed PTSD (which really almost killed me). I cycled in and out of mental health/rehab centers, 6 in total, over the course of 3 years. For me, I had to remove everything in my life except to focus on the original 12 step program and service work. Now I have an amazing life I could never have imagined... Wonderful marriage, grand children, and a successful career.

If you want a great endorsement on the power of recovery I give you this 9 min clip from Craig Furguson. Forward this clip to someone you know who may be struggling...

Congrats, living with a recovering person is hell also. Great job, you should celebrate with a nice family meal and thank God for your state of life. It surely is not easy.

 

[slwlion01]

Not nearly on your level, but cigarettes for me. Quit in 1968. May God grant you many more years of happiness.

 

[MrTailgate]

Inspiring story. Your light shines bright.

 

[Bwifan]

Today marks 18 years since I had my last drink. I post this not as a flex (there's only 2-3 people in here that know who I am), but rather to let those who may know someone struggling, or struggling themselves, there is hope. I wasn't the worst case to recover but I was in a really dark place in the early 2000's. Failed marriage, financial implosion, a mountain of legal issues, and eventually diagnosed repressed PTSD (which really almost killed me). I cycled in and out of mental health/rehab centers, 6 in total, over the course of 3 years. For me, I had to remove everything in my life except to focus on the original 12 step program and service work. Now I have an amazing life I could never have imagined... Wonderful marriage, grand children, and a successful career.

If you want a great endorsement on the power of recovery I give you this 9 min clip from Craig Furguson. Forward this clip to someone you know who may be struggling...

Stay strong everyday is battle. Seeing a very close family friend struggle for years living on the streets after returning from Afghanistan working with special forces and seeing what late teens and early 20 year olds should never see and now is recovering and working to help former service members I cheer on everyone who is winning and fighting everyday to stay clean and sober

 

[laKavosiey-st lion]

I raise my beer to you good sir. My cousin is sober a long time and like you he raised tons of hell. Carry on

 

[Bkmtnittany1]

Today marks 18 years since I had my last drink. I post this not as a flex (there's only 2-3 people in here that know who I am), but rather to let those who may know someone struggling, or struggling themselves, there is hope. I wasn't the worst case to recover but I was in a really dark place in the early 2000's. Failed marriage, financial implosion, a mountain of legal issues, and eventually diagnosed repressed PTSD (which really almost killed me). I cycled in and out of mental health/rehab centers, 6 in total, over the course of 3 years. For me, I had to remove everything in my life except to focus on the original 12 step program and service work. Now I have an amazing life I could never have imagined... Wonderful marriage, grand children, and a successful career.

If you want a great endorsement on the power of recovery I give you this 9 min clip from Craig Furguson. Forward this clip to someone you know who may be struggling...

In honor of your 18 yrs of sobriety…. Midnighter should have a poll of chicks you could wreck! 18 of them… one for every year!! Get on with it

 

[LBUfanatic]

Today marks 18 years since I had my last drink. I post this not as a flex (there's only 2-3 people in here that know who I am), but rather to let those who may know someone struggling, or struggling themselves, there is hope. I wasn't the worst case to recover but I was in a really dark place in the early 2000's. Failed marriage, financial implosion, a mountain of legal issues, and eventually diagnosed repressed PTSD (which really almost killed me). I cycled in and out of mental health/rehab centers, 6 in total, over the course of 3 years. For me, I had to remove everything in my life except to focus on the original 12 step program and service work. Now I have an amazing life I could never have imagined... Wonderful marriage, grand children, and a successful career.

If you want a great endorsement on the power of recovery I give you this 9 min clip from Craig Furguson. Forward this clip to someone you know who may be struggling...

Thank you for sharing. Coming up on 1 year sober for me. Life changing in so many ways.

 

[PSU Mike]

Congrats, Strat!

I took 10 years off some 34 years ago and it definitely cleared the path.

 

[laKavosiey-st lion]

Saw a 30yo bro walking into depot with a t shirt that said ‘savage in recovery’. I dug the message, not laying down

 

[DaytonRickster]

Today marks 18 years since I had my last drink. I post this not as a flex (there's only 2-3 people in here that know who I am), but rather to let those who may know someone struggling, or struggling themselves, there is hope. I wasn't the worst case to recover but I was in a really dark place in the early 2000's. Failed marriage, financial implosion, a mountain of legal issues, and eventually diagnosed repressed PTSD (which really almost killed me). I cycled in and out of mental health/rehab centers, 6 in total, over the course of 3 years. For me, I had to remove everything in my life except to focus on the original 12 step program and service work. Now I have an amazing life I could never have imagined... Wonderful marriage, grand children, and a successful career.

If you want a great endorsement on the power of recovery I give you this 9 min clip from Craig Furguson. Forward this clip to someone you know who may be struggling...

Congrats to you! I have a relative who simply decided it was in the best interest of his health to stop drinking alcoholic beverages and is just shy of 100 days without a drink.
God's continued grace for you.

 

[DaytonRickster]

Not nearly on your level, but cigarettes for me. Quit in 1968. May God grant you many more years of happiness.

Congrats to you!

 

[Connorpozlee]

Kind of related to this, there is a building near where I work in a predominantly Spanish speaking part of town. It reads, in big, bold letters, “Alcoholicos Anonimos”. I chuckle every time I see it. I don’t think they completely understand the “anonimos” part.

 

[LB99]

Today marks 18 years since I had my last drink. I post this not as a flex (there's only 2-3 people in here that know who I am), but rather to let those who may know someone struggling, or struggling themselves, there is hope. I wasn't the worst case to recover but I was in a really dark place in the early 2000's. Failed marriage, financial implosion, a mountain of legal issues, and eventually diagnosed repressed PTSD (which really almost killed me). I cycled in and out of mental health/rehab centers, 6 in total, over the course of 3 years. For me, I had to remove everything in my life except to focus on the original 12 step program and service work. Now I have an amazing life I could never have imagined... Wonderful marriage, grand children, and a successful career.

If you want a great endorsement on the power of recovery I give you this 9 min clip from Craig Furguson. Forward this clip to someone you know who may be struggling...

Congrats. Be proud of yourself. That’s a major accomplishment and everyday is a victory.

 

[Tgar]

We all applaud your success. Congratulations!

 

[EricStratton-RushChairman]

Not nearly on your level, but cigarettes for me. Quit in 1968. May God grant you many more years of happiness.

I also went through two tins of Skoal longcut everyday for nearly 30 years... Started at airborne school when I was 19. After several false starts finally quit on my 50th birthday nearly ten years ago. Damn near as hard as quitting booze. Nicotine ain't no joke

 

[EricStratton-RushChairman]

Stay strong everyday is battle. Seeing a very close family friend struggle for years living on the streets after returning from Afghanistan working with special forces and seeing what late teens and early 20 year olds should never see and now is recovering and working to help former service members I cheer on everyone who is winning and fighting everyday to stay clean and sober

Itt is really shocking many combat vets fall through the cracks... Your friend is a real hero

 

[EricStratton-RushChairman]

Thank you for sharing. Coming up on 1 year sober for me. Life changing in so many ways.

I was in and out for several years... Half measures avail us nothing...ODAAT

 

[AvgUser]

Awesome. Congratulations. May you have another 18 years going forward. And then 18 after that.

Addiction is simply the worst thing that could happen to an individual. I’ve unfortunately watched it firsthand tragically wreck a life that greatly impacted many others. It is wonderful that you emerged out the other side. Keep it up!

 

[rem524]

Congratulations, ES-RC!!! You should be proud of your success in this battle and I'm glad to hear that you have been rewarded for those efforts.

 

[Thorndike2021]

ES-RC, congratulations! And know that you are not alone here. Nowhere near your accomplishment yet...working on that.

No matter how long it's been:

One day at a time, brother.

 

[prt]

Today marks 18 years since I had my last drink. I post this not as a flex (there's only 2-3 people in here that know who I am), but rather to let those who may know someone struggling, or struggling themselves, there is hope. I wasn't the worst case to recover but I was in a really dark place in the early 2000's. Failed marriage, financial implosion, a mountain of legal issues, and eventually diagnosed repressed PTSD (which really almost killed me). I cycled in and out of mental health/rehab centers, 6 in total, over the course of 3 years. For me, I had to remove everything in my life except to focus on the original 12 step program and service work. Now I have an amazing life I could never have imagined... Wonderful marriage, grand children, and a successful career.

If you want a great endorsement on the power of recovery I give you this 9 min clip from Craig Furguson. Forward this clip to someone you know who may be struggling...

Congratulations my friend! I am coming up on 6 years, hardest thing I have ever done, and the best thing I have ever done. For myself, and for my family. Rarely have we seen a person fail….

 

[JAS]

Congratulations Sir, so respect your life path and more so you shared!
Short version: awaiting colonoscopy was told had Afib! How/why not important but treatment for last years in SC was only Eliquis as fitness focused in CrossFit and super clean living.
Moved to HHI ,, and my first visit with new Cardiologist was BAD day as son was day drinking! BP/HR not good, reluctantly went on Ca Inhibiting Drug, and being retired DMD know side effects. Speed up July 2024 Pulse Ablation at MUSC, great results no meds and my cardiovascular surgeon looks and tells me “ eliminate not moderate alcohol “ and I even with my lightweight habits,,one glass of wine elevated HR! Boom .

 

[Bwifan]

Itt is really shocking many combat vets fall through the cracks... Your friend is a real hero

He is.... his wife and daughter left him... literally had been in and out or rehab so many times for years... it was only when his older brother who he idolized OD'd on heroin that scared him straight. Living in a car on the streets he finally made it out of rehab and now is fully employed helping get vets into rehab. He has talked the talk and now walks the walk. He is so good at helping vets. He speaks their language. His wife and daughter are reunited and he remarried his wife who left him. I am so proud of him. He has been on tv shows showing the company he works for that is owned by vets geared toward vets and their successes in rehabbing vets. Some of the stories he has told me of what he saw and had to do in forward operating bases with special ops and their battles with the taliban makes my hair stand up as well as cry. What this kid saw no one should ever have to see especially late teens and early 20s.

 

[mh-larch]

Thanks for sharing this, very inspirational!

 

[MtNittany]

I also went through two tins of Skoal longcut everyday for nearly 30 years... Started at airborne school when I was 19. After several false starts finally quit on my 50th birthday nearly ten years ago. Damn near as hard as quitting booze. Nicotine ain't no joke

Nicely done Eric.

I love long cut. I chew at work sometimes, but that's only 20 or so hours/week. It was funny a few weeks ago before the FedEx heated up I posted on the golf thread that Lucas Glover was just telling it where to go on our range one day.

Turns out I'm out of chew that day. I don't like the Zyn stuff. Lucas comes in after short game work and I bummed a lip of Copenhagen (not long cut) from him. He'll go through a can a round if not on camera. If so, then he eats Zyns like the rest of the tour.

So I thought this is cool - bumming a chew from Lucas. Then I'm not so careful w/ the fine granules staying in my lip and not entering my stomach. I remembered why I loved Long Cut when it came out way back when.

 

[Tom_PSU]

Today marks 18 years since I had my last drink. I post this not as a flex (there's only 2-3 people in here that know who I am), but rather to let those who may know someone struggling, or struggling themselves, there is hope. I wasn't the worst case to recover but I was in a really dark place in the early 2000's. Failed marriage, financial implosion, a mountain of legal issues, and eventually diagnosed repressed PTSD (which really almost killed me). I cycled in and out of mental health/rehab centers, 6 in total, over the course of 3 years. For me, I had to remove everything in my life except to focus on the original 12 step program and service work. Now I have an amazing life I could never have imagined... Wonderful marriage, grand children, and a successful career.

If you want a great endorsement on the power of recovery I give you this 9 min clip from Craig Furguson. Forward this clip to someone you know who may be struggling...

Only those who have had (have) the drinking disease understand what it can do to you. It’s been 12 years clean for me, and the struggle continues every day. Thanks for a great story of redemption.

 

[Ludd]

I also went through two tins of Skoal longcut everyday for nearly 30 years... Started at airborne school when I was 19. After several false starts finally quit on my 50th birthday nearly ten years ago. Damn near as hard as quitting booze. Nicotine ain't no joke

Quitting nicotine was the hardest thing I ever had to do.

 

[EricStratton-RushChairman]

Congratulations Sir, so respect your life path and more so you shared!
Short version: awaiting colonoscopy was told had Afib! How/why not important but treatment for last years in SC was only Eliquis as fitness focused in CrossFit and super clean living.
Moved to HHI ,, and my first visit with new Cardiologist was BAD day as son was day drinking! BP/HR not good, reluctantly went on Ca Inhibiting Drug, and being retired DMD know side effects. Speed up July 2024 Pulse Ablation at MUSC, great results no meds and my cardiovascular surgeon looks and tells me “ eliminate not moderate alcohol “ and I even with my lightweight habits,,one glass of wine elevated HR! Boom .

Glad to hear you are on a healthy path... AFib is no joke. My brother has had three ablations

 

[EricStratton-RushChairman]

He is.... his wife and daughter left him... literally had been in and out or rehab so many times for years... it was only when his older brother who he idolized OD'd on heroin that scared him straight. Living in a car on the streets he finally made it out of rehab and now is fully employed helping get vets into rehab. He has talked the talk and now walks the walk. He is so good at helping vets. He speaks their language. His wife and daughter are reunited and he remarried his wife who left him. I am so proud of him. He has been on tv shows showing the company he works for that is owned by vets geared toward vets and their successes in rehabbing vets. Some of the stories he has told me of what he saw and had to do in forward operating bases with special ops and their battles with the taliban makes my hair stand up as well as cry. What this kid saw no one should ever have to see especially late teens and early 20s.

I have to tell you, this is such a great story. So many never find a way out. I realized it was this total misalignment with insides vs outsides. There is real pain living in your own skin that demands to be numbed. My sponsor once told me real change can't happen until the pain of holding on surpasses the fear of letting go... and many of us can withstand a tremendous amount of pain.

 

[EricStratton-RushChairman]

Only those who have had (have) the drinking disease understand what it can do to you. It’s been 12 years clean for me, and the struggle continues every day. Thanks for a great story of redemption.

We get a daily reprieve based on the strength of our spiritual condition

 

[PSUFBFAN]

Congratulations - keep it going one day at a time.