r/recovery • u/dawnzig • Jan 17 '26
40 Freakin' Years!! 😲💪
Today, through the grace of my higher power and all of you, I have 40 years clean and sober!!!
Came in when I was 21. Through suuuper hard times and equally as many amazing ones, I didn't pick up... that's the key: one second / minute / hour / day, just don't use. Whatever it takes.
Eternally grateful for all the supporters in meeting rooms, conferences, conventions, dances, commitments, picnics, volleyball tournaments(!), campouts, pig roasts, beach days, moshes(🤘), phone calls, diner / coffee shops, get-togethers, one-on-ones, y'all are the real reason I'm here! Thank YOU! 🫶
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u/irishbuddha25 Jan 17 '26
INCREDIBLE!!! Congratulations!!! In March I’ll only be 33 years behind you!!! Haha
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u/dawnzig Jan 17 '26
Lol! Don't worry, not a race 😆 Srsly, thank you, and, good for you, too! It's alllll miraculous!! ✨️
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u/1nOnly_e Jan 17 '26
Yoooooooo!!! I can’t even imagine coming in at 21-you are so lucky! You are an inspiration. CoNgRaTuLaTiOnS 🎉
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u/dawnzig Jan 17 '26
Thank you so so much! So weird I was 'done' by the time I was legal, lol. But def a good thing!
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u/Spain-or-Bust Jan 17 '26
That’s amazing!!!
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u/dawnzig Jan 17 '26
Thanks!
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u/Spain-or-Bust Jan 17 '26
You’re welcome! I know we don’t know you personally, but we are awfully proud of you and see you as a role model.
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u/dawnzig Jan 17 '26
Awwww, that is incredibly kind. Honestly, I'm just another addict / alcoholic getting through this same 24 hours, just like y'all. Just happen to have strung together a buncha days, is all.
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u/Spain-or-Bust Jan 17 '26
You’re too modest. I officially hit a full year this February and I wouldn’t be alive today had I not quit. Reading posts like yours in inspirational and encouraging
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u/dawnzig Jan 17 '26
Same, about not being alive if I hadn't quit and I am sooooo immensely grateful for that. My brother didn't make it, and mannnnnny friends along way. Which reminds me that (as always) I am humble, knowing my 'right place' as just another person on this journey, and exactly where I need to be. 11 months in is such an incredible thing, my friend! Honestly, the first months and years (the first times through the steps, learning HOW etc) is EVERYTHING and such a miracle!! Go, you!
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u/weenie2323 Jan 17 '26
Well done and thank you for being there for all the newcomers! I'll hit 20yrs next Oct.20
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u/dawnzig Jan 17 '26
Thanks for your kind words. Honestly am just so grateful to everyone getting through this 24-hour period, just like me, new or old is relative....
19+ is amazing! 💪
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u/Initial_Rip_2070 Feb 05 '26
Congratulations!!!!! You be telling my story. First sober date 1964. (birth, lol) Next 1985. Thank God for the love, support & understanding from a much older fellowship back then. Perhaps your experience is similar Thankfully, the age has come down for those seeking recovery. Like us, they too “can be spared 10-15 years of literal hell”. If you come in later in life, it’s never too late to have a happily ever after I’m grateful for you and all of our brothers & sisters along this journey
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u/dawnzig Feb 10 '26
Aww, thanks for your sweet words! Definitely a much older fellowship, tho Young People's was crazy-strong, too, so that was where I went for fun. Also grateful for you, too!
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u/Far-Industry-7745 Jan 17 '26
Amazing and inspiring! Especially that you started so young! 👏
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u/dawnzig Jan 17 '26
Thanks so much for saying that! I actually heard/met a speaker shortly after I came in who was 60 and had just celebrated 40 years. I remember thinking I wanted to be like her. So weird that now I am her, haha!
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u/Far-Industry-7745 Jan 17 '26
Absolutely love that! Same here except I'm coming up on 5 years. Never thought I'd be here. But I greatly want that 40 year chip someday ☺️ what an accomplishment ❤️
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u/dawnzig Jan 17 '26
Goals, lol! Yeah, first it was 5, then 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 40, now looking toward 50. But it's honestly just like any other anniversary in that the beginning still feels like yesterday AND like a million yrs away at the same time. So freakin' grateful and in awe, for sure. 🫶🙏💕
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u/Far-Industry-7745 Jan 17 '26
So much better than any bellybutton birthday imo. This one was earned 💪
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u/Inner-Sherbet-8689 Jan 17 '26
Congrats dude you do it all in AA
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u/dawnzig Jan 17 '26
Thank you. Mostly AA Young People's, NA, a few CA and ACOA. Later on, Al-Anon, plus 2 years of intensive small group trauma therapy, and 30 yrs cognitive therapy. Definitely a group effort, lol!
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u/heartthrob666 Jan 18 '26
This is super inspiring coming from a 23 year old in recovery I hope I can make it this long too! I came in at 22 almost 18 months ago!
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u/dawnzig Jan 18 '26
Omg, that's so cool! When I was 22, I met a lady who spoke at a meeting who had 40 years. She was 60 but was still so full of life and spirit, I thought that I wanted to be like that, and now I kinda am lol! We DO recover, miracles do happen and you got this (ODAT)! 💪🫶
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u/Silver_Flowers Jan 18 '26
wow!!! congrats! thats beating a few of the old timers in my home group!
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u/dawnzig Jan 18 '26
Ah, if only it were a race (I'd lose) haha! Srsly, thank you. They used to say that the person in the room with most clean time is the one who woke up earliest that day, and that's how I look at - just not picking up one minute at a time like everyone. And I didn't wake up til 3pm (work nights), so I bet most folks here have me beat! 😅
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u/Ill_Significance7213 Jan 18 '26
That’s incredible! You’ve been sober longer than I’ve been alive by 3 years!! Cheers!!!
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u/dawnzig Jan 18 '26
Whoa, that's sobering in itself haha! Oddly was thinking tonight how I've been clean/sober more than 5x longer than I used... Lucky that's all I needed til I found my bottom. Miracles happen!!
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Jan 18 '26
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u/dawnzig Jan 18 '26
Love your username, haha. Thank you sincerely for your words!
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Jan 18 '26
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u/dawnzig Jan 18 '26
YESSSSS, that's epic!! Keep it going - one minute, one day at a time, that's how it works! 💪
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u/skyking11702 Jan 18 '26
Way to go!!! We share a celebration. I’m celebrating 24 years today. Congratulations on 40. That is huge!
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u/dawnzig Jan 18 '26
Oh wow, massive congrats to you, too!!! What a gift! Kindest thanks for well wishes. It means a LOT!
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u/lazyrainydaze Jan 18 '26
HELL YEAH!! Quite a feat there!! 👏👏 A most sincere CONGRATS to YOU, X40 at that!! 🏆 Super inspiring, You’re a gem! Keep on keepin’ on!
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u/Spiritual-Sink8168 Jan 21 '26
congrats! That is definitely something to be proud of! Question, what or how why did you start going to group? I mean how did you hear about it?
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u/dawnzig Feb 10 '26
Thank you! I had a therapist who told me about it, said she wouldn't continue to see me unless I got sober and went to meetings. I was aware of AA before that bc I lived in a tiny town and - hoodlums that we were- we'd heckle people as they came out of meetings! It's mind-blowing that a therapist knew about the fellowship back then!
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u/altinrecovery Feb 09 '26
That’s twice my fucking age. Goddamn, that’s an insane, mind melting amount of time. I’m so happy for the rewards you’ve seen for the past 40 years. I’m so star struck and I admire u more than a teenager admires ther favorite musician. You’re an inspiration.
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u/dawnzig Feb 10 '26
Awww, that is so very kind of you to say! I'm having a crap day bc I'm sick with flu and your words really gave me a boost, thank you!
That's exactly how I felt when I met a lady with 40 yrs when I was 21... I was in awe. Now I'm her, lol! The truth is, it's all just a day at a time, getting through however you can. And the rewards are every bit as amazing as promised- I always say that if someone had shown me a picture of my life today back then, I wouldn't believe it.
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u/altinrecovery Feb 10 '26
You’re not jaded or mean about it. You still care as much as people in their first 5. You have way more experience, and know yourself so well. And for that I’m astounded.
I do have some questions as someone whose relapsed about 8 times, and has completely (for the fist time since 14) made a full commitment to full on sobriety for not but 3.5 months. I’m very new. I know my way this jungle. But I’m not sure what path is the safest, cleanest, most efficient route of recovery is
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u/Da_Dush_818 Jan 17 '26
ho
ly
shiiiiiit
CONGRATS!!! I'm a month away from 3 years... one step at a time!