One Year of Sobriety

Last week, on August 10, I reached a milestone I had to work hard at every second of every day for 365 days: one year of sobriety.

This is not my first sobriety rodeo, and I’ll continue to take it one day at a time, as I pray this time it sticks for the rest of my life.

Since a young teenager, I’ve been struggling with substance abuse, never thinking I’d see (nor did I want to experience) a sober day.

However, after some personal, life-changing experiences in 2022, I mustered up the courage to get sober in February 2023.

After relapsing in 2024, I hopped back on the sober bandwagon on August 10, 2025.

It’s now August 16, 2026, and I am officially one year and six days sober.

I pray opening up about my struggles and journey can help others who can relate and may be struggling with addiction as well, or in recovery themselves.

My sobriety is my life’s greatest achievement.

I used substances for many reasons, one being to numb.

Feelings can be difficult to face/navigate and life can be challenging!

Sobriety is not easy, but it’s worth it.

I can feel the difference in myself as a person, my character, and I don’t want to go backwards from this.

Having faith over fear and facing challenges head-on is possible to do while sober— God is our strength, lean on Him.

My goal is to keep close to God and continue growing in the direction He intends/wants for me— Thy will be done.

The biggest improvement I’ve seen over the past year of continuous sobriety has been my spirituality and health (mentally and physically).

The best part about sobriety is my ever-growing friendship with God.

I have always felt God’s presence in my life; but now, I feel proud of myself for staying sober— it feels like I’m honoring His will for me by doing the right thing.

Substances built a barrier between us, and I don’t want to feel distant from Him again.

Let go and let God.

My favorite part about sobriety is my ability to trust myself more— because I trust in God.

I am clear-minded and grounded, now more than ever, and I can count and depend on myself to make decisions because I pray first— allowing myself to respond instead of react. I am by no means perfect, but I’m better than I used to be— and proud of it!

Thankful for my parents, my partner, my sponsor and support system!

Thank you, God.

Glory to you, God.

I wrote this poem on my one year anniversary, called “Milestone”:

Milestone

One year of sobriety

Letting God take the lead

His word, guiding

What a blessing

Grateful for the path I’m on

Pray to be my best for His Kingdom

Thy will be done

~ C.R.

Comments

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