Hi. I struggled with this, the space between my last drink and finally getting to a meeting five days later (couldn't get there sooner...too hungover & in withdrawal). I knew the chip system wasn't part of original AA, so I asked for feedback...and got all kinds of answers. I finally decided that the day I picked up the white chip, as a witnessed declaration of my desire to stop drinking, was my sobriety date. Keeps my life simple.
I've always thought it was the day after your last drink, but it's a personal thing I guess. I've know a few people that didn't know what day it was, just the month and year. The day is more important than my birthday to me.
Our sobriety date is our own and for us so it really only matters what you think. After my relapse it was a week or two before I admitted to everyone else my slip....honesty :o) Anyway, I consider my date to be the day after drinking not the day I became honest.
Glad you are here!
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<3 <3 Stephanie <3 <3 "What most people need to learn in life is how to love people and use things instead of using people and loving things."
wrestled with this one and decided on the first 24 hours(day) I did not take a drink, though I was still hungover all day and probably still drunk in the morn. It is also the day I had the Ah Ha HP moment, so I want to always remember and celebrate that.
My sponsor has said that if you do a survey one would find that the dates people choose is individual and personal. Some choose the day of the last drunk, which I hadn't thought of.
the last time I drank was on nov 18, 2004 at approx. 10pm. I consider my sobriety to date to begin the next day on the 19th. Im sure the booze was not completely out of my system for at least a week or so, but I have not picked up a drink since.
Hi fellow Friend of Bill W. My D.O.S. is Feb., 14th., 1966, and during these wonderful years, it's been my impression..(Keepin it simple), 24 hours from your "Last" drink is your first 24 hours of Sobriety. Also, if you were "Up" before nine A/M today, you've got "MORE" sobriety TODAY, than I do. Love BeachedSailor Parksville (Vancouver Island) B.C. Canada.
2 funny...I had a 26th anniversary this year and for months & months was nuttso because I thought it was my 25th and I had imbued it with all kinds of meaning, way far afield of "just one more sober day". Do I get myself a special medallion? Shall I get one of those cool leather Big Book covers to put the medalion in? Then I found out I had miscounted and my 25th was the year before, and I missed it because I didn't "celebrate" my 24th and never did the math!!!!
Since we in UK don't make a big thing of giving out chips and medallions like most other countries seem to do, the first day I didn't take a drink was my first day of sobriety. Sobriety is sobriety, whether achieved in AA or not.
Pick up that 30 day chip with a tiny amount of pride, and a lot of detrmination to add on many more 24 hours to those 30.
I wish I had thought up a username like the one you have, I love it.
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Serenity is Wanting what you have, not having what you want
Always remember non-alcoholic beers are for NON-ALCOHOLICS
