Do you want to know a secret?
This blog didn’t work the first time.
I made it through day 18 sober (June 2016), then my relapse day became a spiral down to rock bottom. That was a long way down…
Nine Months Later…
I quit drinking again (14 February 2017) and picked up blogging about my story again. That make today 112 days of continuous sobriety.
You can look at this situation two ways:
- This guy is just a newcomer, why is he blogging?
- SOBER TONY is willing to fail in public, if that can help him stay sober.
I’m going with option two. Trying to be honest, even online, has pushed me to pursue real recovery. Exhibit A, the alcohol free beer bindge drinking.
All the same, I’d rather talk than write. Writing is hard work, my son is a legit author at age 16. I’m a blogger and a washed up pastor. Maybe you’ve wondered if English is even my first language.
Let’s be blunt — I was on drugs & huffing gasoline when they taught English grammar, but somehow faked my way through a Master’s degree with spellcheck.
All that to say, I have some anxiety about putting my story out there on “real” blogs, among people who grammar shame guys like me.
But it’s happening, here are the links to prove it.
I’m on Stigma Fighters
For Stigma Fights, I wrote a 1300 word version of my story – think novel length. This one was written way back at 5 weeks sober, but it describes the journey well. It reminds me why this fight matters and why ADDICTION needs to lose.
I’m on Christian Recovery Community
For the new Christian Recovery Community, I shared a 900 word version of my story. I explored how my spiritual burnout and history as an ordained pastor was part of my downfall. It would be a good prequel to my Easter Sunday post.
More To Come
I hope to do more in the next few weeks, especially if any of my blogging friends want to have me write something for them. Just give me a topic and I’ll try to be kick-ass.
The perfect solution is like a Q & A kind of format. I’d rather hit some of the podcasts, but after the radio incident I’ll try to be chill.
Thanks again for reading. At 16 weeks sobriety I’m so thankful for the blog readers here, this is finally happening friends. Recovery wins – addiction can’t do shit.
Your last line says it best!
xo
Wendy
Ah, but Sober Tony still manages to refer to himself in the third person. Excellent!
Keep coming back, buddy. It’s not about what you know or what you can teach other people. It’s not about your brand or getting yourself out there… (that’s a trick to identifying a newbie, btw). It’s about your experience, strength and hope. Concentrate on that and you’ll do well. I think.
I’m definitely a newbie and not trying to hide it.
Sometimes I don’t know how to take your comments.
Right on, Tony. I worry about sharing my story through blogging as well. Often I feel I have nothing of value to contribute. You’ve got a following, though, so clearly your words have an impact on people! Sharing with honesty and openness helps more people than you realize. If you can help even one person it makes everything worth it.
It’s fun to imagine helping people and gives me some motivation – which I need basically everyday lately.
Just last night I was staring down a bottle of Rum…
But I knew that wasn’t who I wanted to be anymore. Encouraging comments like you wrote help me remember that.