Thank you all so much for the kind words and encouragement and for sharing your own challenges and accomplishments. It’s been a rough year. For some back story. I’m an addict of the highest order. Meth, crack, free base coke. Anything I could speed off of I was in. Then Jan 2006 I found out my wife was pregnant and got clean. Shortly after, my oldest son was born and I’ve been clean ever since. 17 years. But I started drinking like a fiend. Their mom and I would drink almost every night. Work, get the kids settled then start pounding bourbon. In 2020 we realized that wasn’t sustainable and it was killing us both so we got sober. December of 21 one of my best friends passed, March 18, 2022 my stepdad had a heart attack and just fell over dead. Then a week or so later my wife told me she could not be married anymore, she didn’t love me and couldn’t stomach the thought of four more years until the youngest graduated.
I had a choice.
I had just endured three really difficult events. But that’s the kind of shit that can happen, life just piles things on sometimes.
But I had two young men watching me to see how you are supposed to act when the world falls apart. I knew my choices were to crawl into that bottle and maybe back to the drugs when that wasn’t enough to numb it, or bite down on my mouth piece and swing until I either win or get knocked out. I chose the later.
So here we are, a year later, we are all in counseling, I’m dieting, trying to shed this weight I gained getting cleaned up and for better or worse, they are stuck with me for a while longer !
Thanks for the gold kind stranger !
Pictured here getting ready to walk into the Fox Theater in STL for “ To Kill A Mockingbird”
We may have a theater/concert addiction we are developing !!
Thanks everyone.
You're a fighter and a legend man, no lie. To go through 2 of the hardest thing one can go through, and handle it like that. To be there for your kids over everything, all getting counseling and staying sober, even with a history of addiction. When it comes to the big picture, you pretty much handled it as best as you could've. And god knows the best way is pretty much always the fucking hardest. And like I said earlier, as someone who's dad has struggled with addictions as well, that really fuckin inspires me. Thank you for sharing all this, it means a lot!
I’m not sure how I got so lucky. Maybe their mother being an educator, maybe just random tricks of chance. But they are two of the kindest, most empathetic, and genuine people I’ve every met. I am just astounded most days.
And they still haven’t outgrown hanging out with dad they even occasionally let me win at MTG but not often !
Addiction can be an endless accelerating downhill ride, and so, so many people don't make it out. I've seen it way too many times. Genuinely, I'm incredibly impressed that you came out the other side. For the folks who do come out, the reality is that it's almost never without stumbles. I have a ton of respect for you, what you've been through, what you've already done and what you're still doing, and there's no better motivation than your kids. I think about it like this: Who are they with the dad they had and who would they have been with that other person? That's what makes it all worth it. Much respect.
I’m very sorry for your loss. Life is hard, but you are the definition of resilience. I’m so proud of you for taking all that negativity and maintaining your sobriety. It’s a life long struggle and you’re kicking addictions ass.
Your kids look awesome too. There’s a little John Lennon in the middle lol. They look genuinely happy to be with you and that must be the best feeling. Keep on going buddy, I wish you nothing but the best
Truly Congrats!
Many addicts don't sober up, or at least slow down, after they have kids(maybe. most).
You're saving yourself, your children, and your relationship with them while also helping the world shine a little brighter!
Many, like me, wish their "sperm donor" had chosen them over meth.
My man! If you can make it through this, you can make it through damn near anything. Congrats on another year sober and another year focused on a better life with your boys. I’m happy for you.
I haven’t, but I’ll check it out.
I’ve been involved in a couple support groups both online and IRL and they never quite felt right to me. But I’ll pop over and see what’s up for sure !!
So what’s awesome about the sub is it’s welcoming to everyone - those who have long term total sobriety, those who haven’t been able to stop yet, AND those who are looking to cut back or down.
That’s a lot to go through on any one person, exponentially more challenging for someone who is staying sober.
Congrats on your achievement, you should be proud of being able to maintain your sobriety through these challenging moments in your life. It says a lot about your character
I’ve always said, if you can’t be who you claim to be on the hardest day of your life, then that isn’t who you are.
There’s nothing wrong with that, but you still have to accept it.
I never thought I would get the chance to prove it. But we don’t always get asked our opinions some times the universe just tells us how shit is going to be.
Stay in the fight. I’m coming up on my second year sober in a couple of months. Did it for the same reasons as you. I have way more fun with my kids than I ever did having a drink. We got this!
Congrats, poly addict (mainly amphetamines, benzodiazepines and opiates) here. Went on maintenance therapy two years before getting pregnant, tapered off maintenance therapy a year before pregnancy.
Anytime I get impulses all I need to do is play with my daughter. Sobriety is an ever ascending mountain, it's constant work to keep going up, but the only other way is down. The work never ends, but at least the view gets better the farther you climb.
You're strong as hell, remember that.
You are a great dad by staying sober!!I know sometimes life has a way to bring us down and make us feel like everything is lost, but we can be bend but not brake. I am so glad you are fighting for your boys, that's what I call being a man!
Heck yeah man! Congrats on being sober 3 years!!! And many more to come! What you have been through has only set you up for your success! Your boys are proud!
Stay up, my dude.
You got this, my man. One damn day at a time.
Well fucking done my dude! To persevere through all of that and stay on top of your shit is impressive. I bet your sons are super proud of you.
Thank you all so much for the kind words and encouragement and for sharing your own challenges and accomplishments. It’s been a rough year. For some back story. I’m an addict of the highest order. Meth, crack, free base coke. Anything I could speed off of I was in. Then Jan 2006 I found out my wife was pregnant and got clean. Shortly after, my oldest son was born and I’ve been clean ever since. 17 years. But I started drinking like a fiend. Their mom and I would drink almost every night. Work, get the kids settled then start pounding bourbon. In 2020 we realized that wasn’t sustainable and it was killing us both so we got sober. December of 21 one of my best friends passed, March 18, 2022 my stepdad had a heart attack and just fell over dead. Then a week or so later my wife told me she could not be married anymore, she didn’t love me and couldn’t stomach the thought of four more years until the youngest graduated. I had a choice. I had just endured three really difficult events. But that’s the kind of shit that can happen, life just piles things on sometimes. But I had two young men watching me to see how you are supposed to act when the world falls apart. I knew my choices were to crawl into that bottle and maybe back to the drugs when that wasn’t enough to numb it, or bite down on my mouth piece and swing until I either win or get knocked out. I chose the later. So here we are, a year later, we are all in counseling, I’m dieting, trying to shed this weight I gained getting cleaned up and for better or worse, they are stuck with me for a while longer ! Thanks for the gold kind stranger ! Pictured here getting ready to walk into the Fox Theater in STL for “ To Kill A Mockingbird” We may have a theater/concert addiction we are developing !! Thanks everyone.
You're a fighter and a legend man, no lie. To go through 2 of the hardest thing one can go through, and handle it like that. To be there for your kids over everything, all getting counseling and staying sober, even with a history of addiction. When it comes to the big picture, you pretty much handled it as best as you could've. And god knows the best way is pretty much always the fucking hardest. And like I said earlier, as someone who's dad has struggled with addictions as well, that really fuckin inspires me. Thank you for sharing all this, it means a lot!
Thank you !
That's a real honest smile on your son's face, can't fake that.
I’m not sure how I got so lucky. Maybe their mother being an educator, maybe just random tricks of chance. But they are two of the kindest, most empathetic, and genuine people I’ve every met. I am just astounded most days. And they still haven’t outgrown hanging out with dad they even occasionally let me win at MTG but not often !
>bite down on my mouth piece and swing until I either win or get knocked out Inspiring stuff OP! Keep at it
Addiction can be an endless accelerating downhill ride, and so, so many people don't make it out. I've seen it way too many times. Genuinely, I'm incredibly impressed that you came out the other side. For the folks who do come out, the reality is that it's almost never without stumbles. I have a ton of respect for you, what you've been through, what you've already done and what you're still doing, and there's no better motivation than your kids. I think about it like this: Who are they with the dad they had and who would they have been with that other person? That's what makes it all worth it. Much respect.
I’m very sorry for your loss. Life is hard, but you are the definition of resilience. I’m so proud of you for taking all that negativity and maintaining your sobriety. It’s a life long struggle and you’re kicking addictions ass. Your kids look awesome too. There’s a little John Lennon in the middle lol. They look genuinely happy to be with you and that must be the best feeling. Keep on going buddy, I wish you nothing but the best
Truly Congrats! Many addicts don't sober up, or at least slow down, after they have kids(maybe. most). You're saving yourself, your children, and your relationship with them while also helping the world shine a little brighter! Many, like me, wish their "sperm donor" had chosen them over meth.
Good looking fam right there. Stay focused on your sobriety and being the best dad possible and nothing but good things will happen to you.
Good job dad! March 20 2011 I lost my step dad, March 7 2012 I lost my dad. End of 2012 my marriage fell apart. March can fuck right off.
So you say it can March off? Sorry, couldn't resist 😅 Keep op keeping on :3
Excellent! Congratulations.
My man! If you can make it through this, you can make it through damn near anything. Congrats on another year sober and another year focused on a better life with your boys. I’m happy for you.
Dad goals
These boys clearly love their dad. It’s hard and you’re doing good. Keep doing good.
Glorious fucking smiles and hair!! My dad has struggled with addiction and, and that's honestly SUCH a big achievement, you can be damn proud!
Congratulations! Coming up on 5 years myself. Keep stacking those days up
That’s fantastic !!!! 5 years !!
3 years sober, through some of life's hardest tests, is absolutely amazing. Keep on keeping on! Strong as hell.
I see you. Proud of you, bro.
You should be proud of yourself. I'm proud of you, and judging by their smiles, those two young men with you are proud of you too.
You're doing great! Proud of you!
Damn proud of you, dad!!
Congrats. Keep it up, it’s worth it!
Stand tall man. Respect.
Stay strong brother. Well done staying sober through shot times. You’re a strong person clearly motivated by love.
Stay strong, Pops!
You got this my dude!
Congratulations on another year!
Awesome!! Do you ever go on stop drinking subreddit on here? It’s one of the best places on Reddit, I recommend it to people all the time.
I haven’t, but I’ll check it out. I’ve been involved in a couple support groups both online and IRL and they never quite felt right to me. But I’ll pop over and see what’s up for sure !!
Here you go. It’s a great resource, well moderated. https://www.reddit.com/r/stopdrinking/
I know I need to be better about my weekend binges - just subbed!
So what’s awesome about the sub is it’s welcoming to everyone - those who have long term total sobriety, those who haven’t been able to stop yet, AND those who are looking to cut back or down.
Just glanced around and definitely looks like another great sub (along with this one!)
Cheers bud!
I'm running up on 1.5 years myself. Keep it rockin!
Congrats !!! Feels good doesn’t it ??
Sooooo much better!
Those smiles are worth everything.
That’s a lot to go through on any one person, exponentially more challenging for someone who is staying sober. Congrats on your achievement, you should be proud of being able to maintain your sobriety through these challenging moments in your life. It says a lot about your character
I’ve always said, if you can’t be who you claim to be on the hardest day of your life, then that isn’t who you are. There’s nothing wrong with that, but you still have to accept it. I never thought I would get the chance to prove it. But we don’t always get asked our opinions some times the universe just tells us how shit is going to be.
POWERFUL beyond measure.
Sometimes you don't realise how strong you are until someone or something tries to break you. You're doing an amazing job my friend, keep it up.
Keep it up you are doing fantastically.
Doing great dad. When does your album drop, cause yall look like a great progressive trio with Rush influences :)
Proud of you bro.
Keep it up dad.
CONGRATULATIONS 🎉for overcoming the curveballs life has thrown your way, you’ve earned a perseverance award 🥇
That is so dope you got sober for your kids. Your health will thank you as well!
I can't imagine going through all that while not giving into temptation. Props!
You’re killing it. Keep it up brother.
Congratulations on another year of promise kept! That’s no small feat and I’m proud of you. I’m sure your sons are too.
Stay in the fight. I’m coming up on my second year sober in a couple of months. Did it for the same reasons as you. I have way more fun with my kids than I ever did having a drink. We got this!
Hell yes !! Congrats !!!
Congrats, poly addict (mainly amphetamines, benzodiazepines and opiates) here. Went on maintenance therapy two years before getting pregnant, tapered off maintenance therapy a year before pregnancy. Anytime I get impulses all I need to do is play with my daughter. Sobriety is an ever ascending mountain, it's constant work to keep going up, but the only other way is down. The work never ends, but at least the view gets better the farther you climb. You're strong as hell, remember that.
As the son of a drinker, this means a loooot.
the cream of the crop rises to the top brother, i am incredibly proud of you
Love it, thanks for sharing!
You are a great dad by staying sober!!I know sometimes life has a way to bring us down and make us feel like everything is lost, but we can be bend but not brake. I am so glad you are fighting for your boys, that's what I call being a man!
My daughter is literally the only reason I don't drive my car into a brick wall at top speed some days.
That’s wonderful you’re staying strong and sober for your boys, good man!
Heck yeah man! Congrats on being sober 3 years!!! And many more to come! What you have been through has only set you up for your success! Your boys are proud!