21 years without a drink... Sober

I has been 21 years this weekend since I had my last drink...

Was it easy? NOPE...

Did I think I would last this long? NOPE...

But I got tired of hurting people that were important to me. I got sick and tired of being sick and tired.

My Father asked me toward the end of his life, If I would remain sober until Mom was gone, and I told him I could not make that promise, but I would try to be sober that day and the day after.

Mom died December 8, 2017. It was the hardest day of my life. I told my brothers that Dad had asked me to be sober while Mom was alive and I did that... Now all bets are off. But I decided around Christmas, if I could make it through Mother's funeral sober, why go back to that life.

So I decided to not let the demons get out of the bottle again.

I want everyone to know that you can kick the bottle out of your life, if you want to. But you are the only one that can do it. No one ever held me down and poured that stuff down my gullet. I did it myself, to myself. So the only person who can get me drunk is me, just as the only person who can keep me sober is me, with GOD's help.

If you want to be sober, you can. It is up to you. There is more help out there than you will ever know. AA is one of them. I haven't been to a meeting in a long time, but I never went to one that I didn't learn something.

Life is to short to be in pain. And if you are get help. If you want to talk to someone PM me.
I shot pretty straight.

I didn't think I would make it a week, much less 21 years. But I thank GOD, every day for every day sober. And I ask for help in the morning and give thanks at night.

Trapperman and the Tman family helped me through some very dark times. Sheepdog1 and Sammy Petty have helped me get through some stuff that I didn't know if I could. But they were there to listen to me. THANK GOD for them...

Wayne Derrick has been an inspiration to me. I can talk to him about anything and everything.

All of the Texas Trappers and Fur Hunters took me in when I was just a wantabe, and helped me learn a lot. They will never know how they helped me when I was just starting out. My family was my savior before I could even think about God. I was mad at him and didn't want to deal with that for a long time. But I'm thankful he didn't turn his back on me, like I did him.

If you are having problems with drugs or alcohol, and need to talk to someone. PM me. Or contact a local AA group, they will help you learn a new and better way of life. Don't let the demons get you, there is help out there.

May God Bless each and everyone of you, your families and friends.

If it wasn't for this website, I might not have made 21 years.

Nice job. Nice job.

WTG working for a better life~

Bulletbox

Congratulations thats a great milestone. I lost a wife to the affects of a life of drinking to offer support and guidance to other is a great thing. Stay strong and look forward to seeing you post your 42 year milestone.

There's some good wisdom right there

That's quite an accomplishment Blake. Congratulations to you!

Congrats!!

Bullet, congratulations on such an achievement. Keep it up. You have no idea how glad I am to hear you didn't give in. My dad was about 24+- years sober then my mom up & filled for divorce after about 25-27 years within 2 weeks he was drinking ALL day and night eventually he slowed down then past away. Growing up I never saw my dad touch a drop until the divorce.

Amen, there are some truly great people on here

Awesome message. Straight to the point. Thank you for your experience, strengths and hope. And Happy B-day.

Lots of 24 hours at one day at time. Most things worth grabbing onto and hanging onto are not easy. I find meetings very helpful and I learn a lot about the ism part of my illness and how to deal with it.

Bryce

Nice !

I'm sure your life has been 10x better without the poison.

Great work Bulletbox. You have accomplished one heck of a feat of personal willpower!

Wish I could could shake your hand. Congratulations.

I battle with my weight. Hard to walk the line.

Congratulations !! An heroic effort against an insidious foe !! I admire you !

Wish my Mom was alive I'd print your testimonial out and have her read it, Congrats to you fine Sir.

She never got away from it in time and never met her grand kids, died an ugly death in a hospital by her self. Always told her to try and I would help, she never gave up her smoking until it was to late as well, both took a terrible toll on her in her last years.

Your an inspiration to many you probably will never meet Blake, I've never met you personally but I feel I know you pretty well from being on this forum for so long. I wish you many more years of celebration for a goal that is always a step forward.

My best to you !!

Congratulations BB. I'll have 20 years next month myself. It is one day at a time.

Congrats!!!!!! I don't know you, but being a trapperman brother I am proud of you, I am sure it wasn't easy but you did it!!!!

Congrats...That's awesome!

Congrats ! Working on 26 years Myself - One day at a time. Bob

Congratulations. it is a tough row to hoe sometimes.

Congratulations!

That is fantastic. The joys of staying away from something that controlled your life, are way better than the "fun times" you have with demons of addiction 22 years of not smoking pot for me and 16 years without a cigarette.

Congratulations to you, I'm sure you are great example to those around you

Congratulations.

WTG keep it up

Congratulations

If I make it it will be 26 years in December, one day at a time. One of the greatest gifts I've ever received is giving away my experience to another drunk to help them stay sober. I hope all of us here in recovery make it to the finish line sober. Good job Bulletbox- may your journey be a happy destiny.

hats off to you sir

Good job!

Congratulations on your long stretch of hard-earned sobriety.

It's been twenty-seven years for me. I can't imagine where I'd be had I continued down the path I was on. I suspect I would not be here to ponder it.

Congratulations. That's a pretty heavy testimonial. We're all rootin' for you and others.

Bob

Your father would be proud of you! Keep it up.

Congratulations, I am on year 8.

Congrats Bulletbox,I struggle everyday. Been sober 28 years, but loseing my son two years ago keeps me on that ledge.

Congrats Bulletbox. Awesome job

Congratulations!

Praise God! He has given you the strength to overcome! He will always be there for you and others that reach up for His help. Thanks Blake for your testimony.

Congratulations. By the grace of God go I.

Congratulations Sir, Very Proud and Happy for You!

Impressive achievement versus a cunning baffling and powerful foe. I hope you have at least another 21 years in you.

Blake, very well done!! Congrats.
Stay strong!

Well done and keep up the great work.

Congrats. If you're ever up this way, I'll buy you a soda.

Congratulations Bulletbox!!!!!!!!!!

Good job Blake!

Congrats to you, your doing it your way. stay strong brother.

Nice Blake. Sorry to hear about your Mom. Glad you have friends when the chips are down.

I'm proud of you and for you. 21 years is a great accomplishment. Saturday was my ten year sobriety anniversary also. Thanks for sharing.

Praise God!
Lot of wisdom in your post BB. God and good people in our lives helps a ton. One day at a time, indeed. 21 years sober myself come the 19th of this month.

Congratulations Blake glad your with us.


Mac

Awesome job, keep it up

Great job Bulletbox!

That's awesome, congrats Blake!! As another that's been there, I know it isn't easy, but my life is sooo much better now without it, the health problems and all the other bullcrap that comes with it. I couldn't be happier for you brother and the others here that have gotten away from it, too. For those that haven't and want to, keep trying. There's help out there if you want it and never forget there's someone up above to lean on. God bless you all.

Bob

Congratulations, for me it has been 22 years. The best thing I ever did.

Congrats to all. I have 12 years this August and like most said it's a struggle at times but good friends and the proper people in your corner it is due able.

One day at a time.Its 31 years for me but I never get cocky.

Congratulations!, I'm sure it was a hard fight. You have a right to be proud...

Tried to get help for my brother, but like you say, it has to come from them. He died at 64, basically drank himself to death, even his kids gave up on him, died alone and no one to find him for a week.

Congrats ! Never had a problem with drinking.....can stop and start...go weeks without it...can stop after a couple Beers. Some of my friends ...back in the day, couldn’t stop.

Congrats to all of you on here you haven't picked up the bottle again. So incredible.

That is great and something to be very proud of.

What an awesome accomplishment! Congratulations!!

To those of you who don't know Blake, you are missing a treat. He has been a great help to TTFHA thru the years. If you want a sounding board to run an idea or question by, just tell him what's on your mind , be it a comment or question, then hush and listen. You may not always like what he tells you, but it will be straight and from the heart, backed up by years of life's experiences. He has been a help and encouragement to many, both young and old, family and otherwise. And he's a good enough trapper to catch just about anything he wants to. Congratulations, sir, on an ongoing victory in your life. Hope to see you in Brownwood in October!

Very inspirational Uncle BB. If anyone of you on here need to talk about a problem you can shoot me a PM as well. Between uncle BB and I along with Sammy Petty. I bet there isn't much we haven't lived, seen or survived. God Bless all of you here on TMan.

I am very proud of You Uncle BB.

Congratulations Bullet

Congratulations Blake. I`m going on 17 years sober my self. My wife is happier to.

Hey BB great job, you going after skunks this year? WIde stripes and pelts with feet left on brought good prices last year... Im still using those nbr 2 northwoods we bid on fm CA yrs back....

I was married to an alcoholic for a while. It was not any fun watching someone you care about destroy their life.

We need a like button...

Thanks Everyone...

My Friend for the last 50 years ,just passed 3 weeks ago....liver Failure....The liver can only filter so much Jack Daniels. 62 years old.

Will be 4 years next month, I've never been happier

Congrats my man. Don't know you but that takes a man. I know several people that I wish would at least try and walk in your footsteps.Im not very old but I've seen plenty of the hellish kind of destruction that stuff can cause. FYI, it's clinically classed as a depressant.

well done sir

Good on ya BB,

keep it green
20 years here

Awesome account of your struggle Bulletbox. Good luck.

Jarhead

I always love to see your post this time of year. You my brother are my good friend. I love you and we pray for each other. Almost 38 here No booze no speed no smack. No weed. I love the Lord and like you I thank Him everyday. See you soon.

Bulletbox It takes a lot of courage to admit to the way your life used to be . But it is even harder to do what you have done to turn things around.I lost my Father and two Brothers to drinking .It is a hopeless feeling to see it happening and not fix it .For you sake and all that have helped you and all you have helped I say bless you and thank you

Congrats Bullet, Hats off sir.

Congrats. Thank you for sharing !

You rock. Alcohol messes people up.

Congrats bullet keep fighting the good fight,I wish my boy would see what the booze has cost him.

Been 24 or 25 years for me and I don't miss it 1 bit.
I have kidney stones quit often and people tell me to drank a beer or 3 that it would help. If I thought it would, I'd do it but just don't think I could get it last my nose without throw'in up. I think the LORD
for that too. Hang in there, HE's always there to help.


Donnie

one day at a time i made 34 years good job bullett box

Congratulations. 28 years for me and I don't want to ever have to start over.

Way to go BulletBox.

I went to the TEXAS Trophy Hunters Expo once...

My cousin and I were walking the isles and looking at stuff, and I asked him what is that smell...

It stunk pretty bad to me... He started laughing and said, that is beer... You should know, you drank gallons of the stuff...

I told him, I didn't know how I did, that stuff stinks... He about busted a gut laughing at me...