5 years | 1,826 days

https://www.reddit.com/r/stopdrinking/comments/1j6z28z/5_years_1826_days/

created by mmmmglittery on 09/03/2025 at 03:54 UTC*

460 upvotes, 47 top-level comments (showing 25)

Today I’m 5 years sober, I can’t believe it. I won’t give you the “if I can do it, anyone can”, “just stop drinking” spiel, and I certainly won’t tell you it was easy.

5 years ago today I was sitting in jail wondering what the fuck I was doing with my life. Not a dollar to my name, had just lost my car, both my jobs (thanks, covid) and had no where to go but up. I removed myself from the lifestyle I was living, worked harder than I ever had, told myself to grow the fuck up & put the work in. 3 years with an interlock, 3 years SSRI, probation, and a whole lot of self reflection later, I’m a proud homeowner, car owner (no interlock this time!) & manager at my office. Who decided I was trustworthy????

Anyway, today I get to share sobriety with my mom, who got sober in 2000. In 2020, with each milestone, she started passing her AA coins on to me. Today she gave me her 5 year chip & told me it was the first one I gave her in 2005 when I was 14. Sobriety will always be very special to me, but I think sharing it with my best friend is my favorite part. We’re currently planning a trip to Aruba to celebrate her 25y (07/04) and my 5y (03/08)!

Cheers, friends.

EDIT:::

Thank you everyone so much for your kind words and congratulations, believe it or not I needed to hear your responses a lot more than you might think. Life isn’t always easy — sobriety or not — & I’ve found myself in quite a rut lately. **Every single one of you** has a little piece of my heart.

Comments

Comment by megretch at 09/03/2025 at 04:00 UTC

24 upvotes, 0 direct replies

Congrats! This is the post I needed to see today! #1437 ODAT

Comment by jennwinn24 at 09/03/2025 at 04:18 UTC

15 upvotes, 0 direct replies

congratulations!! thanks for sharing. I’m at 25 months. You inspire me!

Comment by coIlean2016 at 09/03/2025 at 04:09 UTC

7 upvotes, 0 direct replies

This is sooo beautiful and I am so happy for you both!!

Comment by EfficientVariation20 at 09/03/2025 at 05:17 UTC

7 upvotes, 0 direct replies

Well done mate. Super impressive how I you've turned it around. Love reading this stuff.

Comment by neeks2 at 09/03/2025 at 07:03 UTC

6 upvotes, 0 direct replies

This post is AWESOME!

Anyway, today I get to share sobriety with my mom, who got sober in 2000. In 2020, with each milestone, she started passing her AA coins on to me. Today she gave me her 5 year chip & told me it was the first one I gave her in 2005 when I was 14. Sobriety will always be very special to me, but I think sharing it with my best friend is my favorite part. We’re currently planning a trip to Aruba to celebrate her 25y (07/04) and my 5y (03/08)!

I love this! I also share sobriety with my mom and we'll be heading to Japan in May! My mom is also my best friend, I really can't express how much I love this post and I'm so happy for you and your mom!

Sobriety rocks!

Comment by 66redballoons at 09/03/2025 at 04:10 UTC

6 upvotes, 1 direct replies

Great idea celebrating sober birthdays with a trip! Awesome story. IWNDWYT or your mom 😊

Comment by canadianxcobra at 09/03/2025 at 04:13 UTC

2 upvotes, 0 direct replies

Beautiful story, OP! Proud of you and your mom.

Comment by Sea-Cardiologist-176 at 09/03/2025 at 04:15 UTC

2 upvotes, 0 direct replies

Wow!! Congratulations to you!! What a success story!

Comment by SearchOutside6674 at 09/03/2025 at 04:19 UTC

2 upvotes, 0 direct replies