After losing one of my best friends to an overdose in 2019, my drinking got severe.
Instagram: @thee.sober.millennial
My name is Lacey and my drug of choice was alcohol.
My sobriety date is November 14th, 2020
I grew up in the small town of Otisville, Michigan. I married my high school sweetheart and we have two gorgeous boys together. I am a stay-at-home mother. I enjoy creating art and art has helped me tremendously in my recovery as a way to escape.
My addiction was a slippery slope. I was vehemently anti-alcohol growing up, because my parents were both addicted to it. At 19 I had my first drink and instantly felt shame, but I kept going. I was hooked on the mental escape. When my first son entered the NICU and spent 10 weeks there, my drinking increased. I switched from wine coolers to wine. Then wine to liquor. After losing one of my best friends to an overdose in 2019, my drinking got severe. I had a pattern of hiding my pain with booze. I would wake up and drink, and drink until I passed out that night. I would hide alcohol in to-go mugs and tumblers. I would drink and drive. I obtained 2 DUI’s, and one DUI was an attempt to end my own life. I drunkenly crashed my car into a tree. But that still didn’t stop me from drinking.
I realized my life was unmanageable when I started drinking alone and the buzz was no longer fun. I was poisoning my brain and it showed, with increasing depressing thoughts and suicidal ideation.
I was court-ordered to attend AA Meetings twice a week, so I did. Eventually I wanted what the members of AA had. I was sick of my own antics. I ditched the booze on November 14th, 2020, and never looked back. I created a “sober instagram” in which I only followed recovery accounts and sober people. I created my own community. I made friends all around the world to lean on in my early sobriety days. I listened to sobriety/recovery podcasts and read quit lit.
These days, my life is amazing. I wouldn’t trade it for the world. I have clarity and serenity. I no longer find the need to poison my body with alcohol. I am confident for the first time in my life.
To maintain sobriety, I try to stay ahead of a relapse. When I feel cravings come on, I check in with myself to see what I need, whether that be reaching out to a sober buddy, or even spending alone time with myself. I still read quit lit, too!
I am grateful for my sobriety and the chance to live every day to the fullest. I would not be here today if I didn’t get sober.
To anyone thinking of, or trying to get sober, I would say you don’t have to do it alone. Community is key. Reach out. We want to see you win! Relapses happen too! That doesn’t mean you have to give up. You only fail if you give up on trying. Remember that.