It took over 9 years of repeated attempts to fix myself
Danijela Kovac
IG: teetotalerwines
Alcohol and other mind altering substances.
Sober: July 7, 2010
Give us a little background information. (Where are you from or grew up? What do you do for a living? What are your passions?)
Toronto, Ontario, Canada, My fulltime gig is Customer Care Manager for a Residential Construction Company, my passion and side gigs are “Teetotaler Wines” and “The Teetotaler Guide to Good Food & Drinks ‘Zine”
Describe your experience as an addict.
Where do I start? Right from the get go, it was awful. The 9 years I was active in my addiction, my life was ugly and exhausting. It’s not about the actual drinking but what happens before, during and after. Financial problems, broken and toxic relationships, lost jobs, and the extensive toll on my mental and emotional state was what was truly agonizing.
When did you realize your life had become unmanageable?
I always knew it was unmanageable but I blamed it on myself. It took over 9 years of repeated attempts to fix myself without eliminating the main culprit. I didn’t become aware that it was actually alcohol and my addiction that was causing the unmanageability until I got sober back in 2010.
What did your recovery look like?
To be honest it was pretty easy and positive from the beginning as I embraced the recovery process from the get go. I did whatever I had to do to ensure I would not go back to that life.
How are you doing these days?
Life hasn’t been better! I am over 10 years sober, I have a great relationship with my family, I have a great job plus I own my own business, I am financially secure and independent, and what is most important, I have a ton of love and respect for myself.
What do you do to maintain sobriety?
Drinking again was and is never an option. I tapped out of that lifestyle the moment I chose to get sober. As I have over 10 years, the days of craving alcohol are long gone. I took my recovery very seriously and worked very hard on myself for the first 5 years that my foundation is rock solid.
What are you grateful for?
Absolutely everything! I am still just as grateful for my life as I was that first year.
Any advice you would give to newly sober folks?
Sobriety is hardwork. You must work on it daily to ensure you build a strong foundation. Its not about quitting the drink, its about changing your life. Ensure your growth is continuous.