'I’m almost 27 years of age, just under one month away from a year sober and can finally say I feel my sobriety this time around is safe, reliable and genuinely happy. In the past, trying to stay sober by myself was just as much of a nightmare as my drinking had brought upon me.

I had tried counselling, psychiatry, rehab, exercising/health eating, reading on philosophy, seeking the help of my friends, partner and family and anything else possible to stay sober – at best I succeeded in staying sober for 6 weeks to 2 months, only ultimately to be followed by a worse relapse - rinse and repeat. This was my life for the past eight years, an utter and sincere nightmare. I could never figure out why I continued to relapse, and I thought I was giving in and making the decision to do so each time however this was not the case, my choice in the matter was simply gone. I was completely and utterly powerless, and thus the darkest times of my life. Even during the periods of sobriety, that I barely managed to maintain in intervals, my emotions were so destroyed that it felt just as bad as I was riddled with constant fear that led me back to the
bottle inevitably.

It was only then once I hit a turning point of losing absolutely everything, I decided (through no will of my own) to accept the help of my sponsor, my home group, a Power greater than myself and the willingness to carry out His work – that I was able to stay truly sober and for the better. Little did I know that staying sober was only the beginning of what was on offer for me, more so I was granted a second chance at life.

I was finally able to live in the present, work on myself and enjoy the little
things in life while appreciating both those around me and where my journey had brought me, as before I was nothing but completely locked in my own bubble of torment. I no longer need to curse the past, and instead can use it to help someone else now, which is my role to be of service.

I urge anybody struggling or utterly unable to stop drinking to seek the same help and contact as posted here – as these were the only things that worked for me, they can and will work for you too, as long as you
work it!'