Today I am 5 years sober from alcohol! I began my sober journey because I wanted a better life. I didn’t exactly know how to create that for myself or what it would take, but it’s clear to me that I made the right choice for myself. My desire to self-sabotage and my insecurities have become blindingly apparent to me as opposed to being hidden under the shimmer of drunkenness. It’s been difficult to face what has made me unwell, but the other thing that came with my personal sobriety is a circle of friends and a great therapist. I feel taken care of by them and responsible to them. There have been a few times this year where I thought “have a drink, you can handle it. You just needed a break. You’re fine now.” The biggest reason I was able to say “no” to that impulse, my addiction, was my friends. I don’t want to let them down. I stay sober for my community. Sobriety has brought me joy. When I wanted to get sober, the first thing I did was start talking about it. I reached out to everyone I knew and started saying I had a problem with drinking. The people who said “no you don’t,” I ignored. The people who said “tell me more.” I talked to. And yes, the responses were sometimes surprising and hurtful. They were also wonderful. The difference I’m trying to highlight here is if you talk to anyone saying you’re struggling and they respond by shutting you down, they may not be on your side. They might not be saying that for you. They might be saying that for themselves. Find compassionate people. Be a compassionate person.