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Today is my 5th birthday...not my real birthday of course, but my clean time birthday. Today is the 5 year mark of me going from being an alcoholic, to being a recovering alcoholic.

I know a lot of you know this about me....but I'm hoping that this can encourage someone that might have a problem to seek out help, because it IS do-able. It took me 4 detoxes and 3 treatment centers to finally get it right. To me it's a miracle....but anyone with a substance abuse problem can do it!!! It was probably the hardest thing I've ever HAD to do, but it's also the best decision I made in my life. Even if you know someone that has an addiction problem let them know it's possible...they just have to want it that bad.

Thanks to all for sharing in this day.

I'll be going in a few minutes to a meeting to celebrate.

I did not know that. Congratulations, Shelbell!!!

Congratulations indeed, shellbell. If I were there with you, I'd give you a hug.

Clic on the pic below.

Attached files

Wonderful! COngrats! :-4

Congratulations :yh_hugs:yh_hugs:yh_hugs

G-man;1047103 wrote: I did not know that. Congratulations, Shelbell!!!


along-for-the-ride;1047105 wrote: Congratulations indeed, shellbell. If I were there with you, I'd give you a hug.

Clic on the pic below.


Peg;1047108 wrote: Wonderful! COngrats! :-4


Thanks people...it's an awesome feeling. :-6

So well done babe.Its not easy as I know.My mother was one and I was married to one and had many sleepless nights not knowing where he was or if he was alive or dead.I even had to call the police a few times as he went missing for days and it was a nightmare and those times I will never forget and I really dont know how I got through them to be honest.It was a living nightmare and the sad part was he was and still is he is such a nice person.Still we both have moved on now but he will always remain my dear friend and glad to report his been sober awhile now as he lost me as a wife and dosent want to lose me as the person who still cares and worrys about him and guess I always will.

You keep it up as I am sure you will and your family must be so proud of you.....I know I am:-4

Congratulations Shelbell, what a milestone. :-6

I'm glad some people can manage it. It's even better if they can manage to tell others and not have to hide it away. Getting clean from alcohol addiction has always sounded tough whenever I've encountered it, you're doing well.

Well done Shel, you most certainly can be proud of yourself!!! No one else could have done it for you, you did it all by yourself!!!

In addition to making your body healthier, consider it from a financial standpoint, just look at how much $$$$$$$$ you also saved!

Bravo..!! that is truly wonderful. :-6

Congratulations Shelbell

Keep going girlie :-4

Congratulations. :-6 I wish some family members of mine had the desire to do what you did. I know you can't force someone, they have to want to.

Great pix of your family..

Let me add my congrats. Add me to those who didn't know. You are doing great.

Well done Shel :-4:-4:-4

Shelbell:

What a wonderful success story! Do keep up the good work. It is an awesome gift you have given yourself and those you care about and who care about you. You have every right to stand proud.

Kindle

shelbell;1047097 wrote: Today is my 5th birthday...not my real birthday of course, but my clean time birthday. Today is the 5 year mark of me going from being an alcoholic, to being a recovering alcoholic.

I know a lot of you know this about me....but I'm hoping that this can encourage someone that might have a problem to seek out help, because it IS do-able. It took me 4 detoxes and 3 treatment centers to finally get it right. To me it's a miracle....but anyone with a substance abuse problem can do it!!! It was probably the hardest thing I've ever HAD to do, but it's also the best decision I made in my life. Even if you know someone that has an addiction problem let them know it's possible...they just have to want it that bad.

Thanks to all for sharing in this day.

I'll be going in a few minutes to a meeting to celebrate.


Good on you Shellbell, no glory without the guts, and what you did took guts and courage, I'm sure you know you have to stick at it though. I'm sure you think your life is so much better now than before, great insentive to carry on the good work, Congratulations again :guitarist:-6

Victoria;1047110 wrote: Congratulations :yh_hugs:yh_hugs:yh_hugs


Thanks Victoria!!!

Carolly;1047120 wrote: So well done babe.Its not easy as I know.My mother was one and I was married to one and had many sleepless nights not knowing where he was or if he was alive or dead.I even had to call the police a few times as he went missing for days and it was a nightmare and those times I will never forget and I really dont know how I got through them to be honest.It was a living nightmare and the sad part was he was and still is he is such a nice person.Still we both have moved on now but he will always remain my dear friend and glad to report his been sober awhile now as he lost me as a wife and dosent want to lose me as the person who still cares and worrys about him and guess I always will.

You keep it up as I am sure you will and your family must be so proud of you.....I know I am:-4


Thanks Carolly, you know the other side of the coin that most addicts don't grasp...the effect it has on the family. Hubby has had problems of his own so I've lived it both ways....as a sober person dealing with a loved one, and as a user living with another user. I've seen it from both sides and count myself blessed as a result, because I don't ever want to put my family thru it again cuz I know how it affects them.

abbey;1047125 wrote: Congratulations Shelbell, what a milestone. :-6


Thanks abbey!! :-6

spot;1047126 wrote: I'm glad some people can manage it. It's even better if they can manage to tell others and not have to hide it away. Getting clean from alcohol addiction has always sounded tough whenever I've encountered it, you're doing well.


That's one of the amazing things about recovery spot...you lose that shame that comes with addiction and makes you just want to share your story in the hopes that you can reach even one other person and make a difference. You're right, it is very tough, but it's so worth the fight.

cars;1047129 wrote: Well done Shel, you most certainly can be proud of yourself!!! No one else could have done it for you, you did it all by yourself!!!

In addition to making your body healthier, consider it from a financial standpoint, just look at how much $$$$$$$$ you also saved!


:wah::wah: I don't save many $$$$$'s, I transfered my addiction over to chocolate milk!!! :wah::wah:

JAB;1047134 wrote: Excellent news - I applaud you! :yh_clap


CARLA;1047138 wrote: Bravo..!! that is truly wonderful. :-6


pinkchick;1047139 wrote: Congratulations Shelbell

Keep going girlie :-4


Thanks so much ladies!!! :-4

conascot;1047206 wrote: Congratulations. :-6 I wish some family members of mine had the desire to do what you did. I know you can't force someone, they have to want to.

Great pix of your family..


Thanks conascot, and you are so right! You can't force someone if they don't want the help. My "rock bottom" was when I realized that if I didn't stop, I would die.

And thanks about the pic comment. So many families don't get to enjoy 5 generations alive at the same time. :-4

hoppy;1047211 wrote: Let me add my congrats. Add me to those who didn't know. You are doing great.


kayleneaussie;1047218 wrote: Well done Shel :-4:-4:-4


Kindle;1047281 wrote: Shelbell:

What a wonderful success story! Do keep up the good work. It is an awesome gift you have given yourself and those you care about and who care about you. You have every right to stand proud.

Kindle


neil;1047319 wrote: Good on you Shellbell, no glory without the guts, and what you did took guts and courage, I'm sure you know you have to stick at it though. I'm sure you think your life is so much better now than before, great insentive to carry on the good work, Congratulations again :guitarist:-6


Thank you so much my dear friends. :-4

That is fantastic & good on you for being brave to say it.

I admire that very much.

I think you are one very brave & honest person.:-4:-4

I wish my brother could do it,he has tried but can't make it stick.

mrsK;1047361 wrote: That is fantastic & good on you for being brave to say it.

I admire that very much.

I think you are one very brave & honest person.:-4:-4

I wish my brother could do it,he has tried but can't make it stick.


Thanks mrsK. I am so open about it because I pray it might touch even just one other person and make them take an honest look at themselves. Your brother CAN do it, he just isn't at the point where he realizes that he wants it more than anything else. Everyone's "rock bottom" is different...you never know when the lightbulb will finally turn on.

Thanks again hun!! :-4:-4

shelbell;1047362 wrote: Thanks mrsK. I am so open about it because I pray it might touch even just one other person and make them take an honest look at themselves. Your brother CAN do it, he just isn't at the point where he realizes that he wants it more than anything else. Everyone's "rock bottom" is different...you never know when the lightbulb will finally turn on.

Thanks again hun!! :-4:-4


No!!! Thank you for !!!

You are special because you are out & helping others.

I fear for my brother ,he looks like a walking skeleton,he just doesn't care anymore:(:(

I still love him even though I see what he is doing to himself & others.

For all of my friends here that have shared with me tonight I'd like to give you an update of my evening. Me and hubby went to a meeting and there were only a couple of people there. we went for a quick bite and headed over to another meeting that we used to go too.

Too my delight, there was a room filled with women that were inpatient at the last treament place I went...the place that helped me get it right. It was so awesome to celebrate my birthday with them and talk to them about where they are at and how that place helped me.

While there, my husband presented me with a 5 year medallion that he had made into a keychain for me. He also snuck in an awesome cake for me to share with all the people there. It was a good night. :-6

mrsK;1047366 wrote: No!!! Thank you for !!!

You are special because you are out & helping others.

I fear for my brother ,he looks like a walking skeleton,he just doesn't care anymore:(:(

I still love him even though I see what he is doing to himself & others.


I'm so sad for you...some people never get it, or they get it too late. I pray this isn't the case for your brother. :-4

You know I already told you your awesome and fantastic:-4:-4:-4

Congrats on your 5th birthday Shel:-6:-6:-6:-6

Your such an inspiration for peeps Shel, keep up the good work hun:-4:-4:-4



HELPING HEARTS AND HANDS

Many's the time I've sat and thought

Of all that I could do

To make the battles I have fought

Be helpful for all of you.

Convening meetings helps, I know

And posting on LSR mail.

Folks can call me when they're low

And tell me their hurtful tale.

It seems no matter what I do

It can never be enough.

It seems that no matter how I try,

The going is just too tough.

But then someone will up and say

How much it's come to mean

That I was there that fateful day

To help them get sober and clean.

Then suddenly the job at hand

Seems light and worth my while.

Seeing someone healthy and feeling grand

Makes me happy and makes me smile

So if you have it in your mind

To do what I have done,

It will help you too, you'll find

To help others get the battle won.

Dedicated to all those who help.

Bill Somers 11/24/03

Chezzie;1047424 wrote: You know I already told you your awesome and fantastic:-4:-4:-4

Congrats on your 5th birthday Shel:-6:-6:-6:-6

Your such an inspiration for peeps Shel, keep up the good work hun:-4:-4:-4



HELPING HEARTS AND HANDS

Many's the time I've sat and thought

Of all that I could do

To make the battles I have fought

Be helpful for all of you.

Convening meetings helps, I know

And posting on LSR mail.

Folks can call me when they're low

And tell me their hurtful tale.

It seems no matter what I do

It can never be enough.

It seems that no matter how I try,

The going is just too tough.

But then someone will up and say

How much it's come to mean

That I was there that fateful day

To help them get sober and clean.

Then suddenly the job at hand

Seems light and worth my while.

Seeing someone healthy and feeling grand

Makes me happy and makes me smile

So if you have it in your mind

To do what I have done,

It will help you too, you'll find

To help others get the battle won.

Dedicated to all those who help.

Bill Somers 11/24/03


Thanks so much Chezz! I think you're pretty alright yourself. I've heard this poem before but had forgotten about it. It rings so true, there is nothing like helping someone else that has addiction issues. It probably helps the person in recovery as much as it does the other person....it reminds us of where we've been and where we don't want to go to again.

Thanks again Chezzie for printing this for me. I'm going to make a copy of it and put it on my wall. :-4:-4:-4

shelbell;1047429 wrote: Thanks so much Chezz! I think you're pretty alright yourself. I've heard this poem before but had forgotten about it. It rings so true, there is nothing like helping someone else that has addiction issues. It probably helps the person in recovery as much as it does the other person....it reminds us of where we've been and where we don't want to go to again.

Thanks again Chezzie for printing this for me. I'm going to make a copy of it and put it on my wall. :-4:-4:-4


Your welcome chick:-4:-4:-4

Oh congratulations shelbell.

The world is much brighter without feeling the need to postpone your problems behind a liquid isn't it?

K.Snyder;1047450 wrote: Oh congratulations shelbell.

The world is much brighter without feeling the need to postpone your problems behind a liquid isn't it?


Thanks K...you are so right! Believe it or not, one of the coolest things about being clean is I can drive anywhere anytime I want without worrying if I'll end up getting a DUI.....I dare those coppers to give me a breathalizer!!! :wah::wah: Of course I've never been pulled over by a cop, and have never gotten a ticket!hehehehe

shelbell;1047471 wrote: Thanks K...you are so right! Believe it or not, one of the coolest things about being clean is I can drive anywhere anytime I want without worrying if I'll end up getting a DUI.....I dare those coppers to give me a breathalizer!!! :wah::wah: Of course I've never been pulled over by a cop, and have never gotten a ticket!hehehehe


:rolleyes:...

YEAH RIGHT!!!!!!...

:wah:...





































:yh_wait...



























:yh_wait...<-------You're waiting for a kiss are't you?...:yh_rotfl...

Hehe...

:yh_wink...











































:yh_dance...OP,..GOT YA!!!!!...:yh_rotfl...









































:sneaky:...:wah:...































































Hehe...













































:yh_rotfl...





:yh_kiss <---------------There you go sweety!!!!!!!!...:wah:...:yh_rotfl...

K.Snyder;1047476 wrote: :rolleyes:...

YEAH RIGHT!!!!!!...

:wah:...

:yh_wait...



:yh_wait...


Nope, I have seriously never gotten a ticket or even been pulled over by a cop. Straight up...and you know my word is good.

Yeah, I was waitin for a kiss....I just put all your stuff closer so I didn't have to wait as long!:sneaky::wah:



I'll even give you one back Uncle Kev....













:yh_kiss



:wah:

Hugs to you my dear. It is something you SHOULD be proud about. ;)

shelbell;1047097 wrote: Today is my 5th birthday...not my real birthday of course, but my clean time birthday. Today is the 5 year mark of me going from being an alcoholic, to being a recovering alcoholic.

I know a lot of you know this about me....but I'm hoping that this can encourage someone that might have a problem to seek out help, because it IS do-able. It took me 4 detoxes and 3 treatment centers to finally get it right. To me it's a miracle....but anyone with a substance abuse problem can do it!!! It was probably the hardest thing I've ever HAD to do, but it's also the best decision I made in my life. Even if you know someone that has an addiction problem let them know it's possible...they just have to want it that bad.

Thanks to all for sharing in this day.

I'll be going in a few minutes to a meeting to celebrate.


Many congratulations Shelbell!

Milly;1047521 wrote: Many congratulations Shelbell! good morning Milly;)

:yh_party :yh_dance :yh_clap You go, Girl!! :yh_clap :yh_dance :yh_party

Sorry Shellbell. I would never rain on your parade. This is a very Special Place for you to be. More hugs.

Yabba Dabba Doo !

5 frickin years !

A heartfelt congratulations to you for your strength and courage.

Good Good Job !!!!!!! :-6:-6:-6

that is an awesome accomplishment! Congratulations!!!:-6

southern yankee;1047517 wrote: Hugs to you my dear. It is something you SHOULD be proud about. ;)


Thanks my dear friend!! :-6

Milly;1047521 wrote: Many congratulations Shelbell!


Thanks Milly....I should go out and buy some shoes to celebrate!!! :wah:

Accountable;1047536 wrote: :yh_party :yh_dance :yh_clap You go, Girl!! :yh_clap :yh_dance :yh_party


Thanks AC!!!

southern yankee;1047544 wrote: Sorry Shellbell. I would never rain on your parade. This is a very Special Place for you to be. More hugs.


No sorry's here SY! I KNOW you'd NEVER do that. :-4

Nomad;1047548 wrote: Yabba Dabba Doo !

5 frickin years !

A heartfelt congratulations to you for your strength and courage.

Good Good Job !!!!!!! :-6:-6:-6


Thanks Nomie!! It's been an uphill climb, and I still take it day by day, but I'ts an accomplishment that I thougt I'd NEVER reach!:)

sunny104;1047758 wrote: that is an awesome accomplishment! Congratulations!!!:-6


Thanks sunny! It was a feel good day! :-6

Congrats! Five years is wonderful!