“I’m Gary, and this coming April will mark 10 years of sobriety.
I started drinking heavily as a teenager, and by the time I left home at 19, I plunged into a 14-year-long bender that completely destroyed every part of my life.
I was destructive, angry, unpredictable, and deeply depressed. From my very first drink, I fell in love with alcohol and became consumed by chasing the next one. Looking back, I was just a kid.
For nearly that entire 14 years, I drank daily – morning, noon, and night. It’s a miracle I’m still here.
Everything changed when I walked into AA in April 2014. My mindset shifted quickly, and I threw myself into rebuilding my life. I became a teacher and mentor for young adults, lived in Spain and Hungary, moved back to the UK for the woman I love, and became both a father and stepfather. My world transformed completely.
The dark cloud is long gone, but the inner strength I built remains.
I never think about drinking anymore. The old me is gone for good. Here’s to the sober version of myself.
Wishing every one of you strength and success on your own sobriety journeys.
Reach out. Keep going. Much love. Believe x”