1406 Days and Counting

This past weekend shook something deep in me. Not because of my own struggle—but because of the quiet, relentless battles happening around me. Two dear friends reached out, both carrying the weight of their siblings’ journeys with sobriety. These are people I’ve known for years—steady, grounded, never once seen them touch a drink. But their love runs deep, and this weekend, that love was tested.

One friend called to say their sibling had checked back into detox—for the fourth time, as far as I can remember. We talked about the cycle, the pain, the hope that flickers and fades and flickers again. The next day, I got a text from the other. Their sibling had passed away. The battle was lost. And just like that, the struggle became a silence.

I sat with that. I prayed with that. And I counted my days: 1406.

Sobriety isn’t a finish line—it’s a daily decision. A quiet victory. A sacred rhythm. I know how hard it is. I know what it costs. And I know what it gives back.

That’s why I’m writing this. If one person reads this and feels seen, feels encouraged, feels ready to take that first step or keep walking—then this post has done its job. And I’ll keep walking too.

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What Sobriety Has Taught Me

Sobriety didn’t just save my life—it gave me a new one. A clearer one. A quieter one. A life where I can hear myself think, feel my emotions fully, and show up for the people I love with presence and peace.

I’ve learned that sobriety isn’t just about saying no to alcohol. It’s about saying yes to healing. Yes to accountability. Yes to the kind of love that doesn’t need numbing. It’s about facing the hard days with open eyes and a steady heart.

I’ve learned that grief and gratitude can live in the same room. I’m grieving for the sibling who didn’t make it. I’m grieving for the families who carry that loss. But I’m also grateful—for every sunrise I’ve seen sober, every conversation I’ve had with clarity, every moment I’ve been able to feel without flinching.

And I’ve learned that this journey is never solo. Whether you’re on day one or day 1406, you’re part of a rhythm. A legacy. A movement toward wholeness.

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Sobriety Is Sacred—But Temptation Still Knocks

I’ve been sober for 1406 days. But I’ve also relapsed before—after five solid years of sobriety. It happened on my birthday. That moment taught me something I’ll never forget: no matter how far you’ve come, temptation doesn’t care. It waits. It whispers. It shows up when you least expect it.

That’s why I don’t take my sobriety for granted. Ever.

The final time I quit, I went cold turkey—with the full intention of never touching another drink for the rest of my life. And I’ve held that line. But I’ve also walked into liquor stores. Not for alcohol—for water, for snacks. And while I never felt the pull to buy a drink, I’ve started to question those choices.

Because when you’re fighting an industry that profits off pain and addiction, even buying a bottle of water in that space feels like a contradiction. It’s subtle, but it matters. Sobriety isn’t just about what you don’t consume—it’s about what you choose to support, what you stand for, and how you protect your peace.

I’m learning to be more intentional. To honor my sobriety not just in my choices, but in my surroundings. To walk with clarity, even when the path is familiar but risky.

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The Numbers Behind the Battle

Sobriety is a miracle—but it’s also a fight. And the numbers don’t lie:

• 1 in 10 adults in the U.S. has struggled with alcohol use disorder (AUD).
• 75% of people who’ve battled substance use eventually recover and live in ongoing sobriety.
• But the road is rarely straight: 40–60% of people with substance use disorders relapse at some point.
• For alcohol specifically, about 68% of people relapse after treatment, and 9 out of 10 may drink again within four years.
• The risk is highest in the first 90 days—but even after five years, relapse can still happen.

These numbers don’t scare me—they remind me. They remind me that what I’ve built over these 1406 days is sacred. And fragile. And worth protecting.

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To Anyone in the Struggle—You Are Not Alone

If you’re reading this and you’re in the thick of it—whether it’s day one or day one hundred—know this: you are not broken. You are not weak. You are not alone.

Sobriety is not about perfection. It’s about persistence. It’s about choosing yourself, again and again, even when the world tells you to numb, to forget, to disappear. It’s about walking through the fire and coming out with your soul intact.

I’ve relapsed. I’ve doubted. I’ve stood in places I had no business being. But I’ve also stood in my truth. And today, I stand in gratitude.

If you’re struggling, reach out. If you’ve fallen, get back up. If you’re tired, rest—but don’t quit. There’s a whole community of us out here, rooting for you, walking with you, praying for your peace.

And if you know someone who’s fighting this battle—share this post. Not because I need the views, but because someone out there needs the reminder: that recovery is possible. That healing is real. That 1406 days ago, I made a decision—and today, I’m still standing.