Making Discoveries

Eighteen years of sobriety taught Kris G. how to cruise through the holidays with cheer, but without drinking or drugs. In our conversation he shares his best tips here:

Hi Kris, can you please share with readers how you survived the holidays when you first chose sobriety?

What worked for me during the holidays was staying connected to my support group & going to narathons & alcathons. There were consistent meetings available 24/7 and you can attend one every ninety minutes, and pop in and out all through Christmas Eve and Day. In my first ten months of sobriety—I was assigned to drug court—I attended 575 meetings in ten months.

That’s incredible, good for you. How long have you been sober, and how did you finally make that choice for your life?

I have been clean & sober since 2/23/05. I changed when I hit my bottom and decided I was done. I’d been going to meetings and working the 12 steps with my sponsor. My perspective changed, the people in my life. Just one day the obsession was lifted, the craving wasn’t there. I knew I was done.