I am wrapping up my second attempt to gain my free and clear drivers license. After one year of absolutely not driving to getting a restricted license with an interlock devise. I have been sober for 2 1/2 years and what a lesson and journey it has been. The hoops I jumped thru taught me so many lessons. Some say its all political but I don't agree. They were the hoops I needed to jump thru to gain gratitude, responsibility and a true knowledge that I had a disease called alcoholism. If they hadn't put all this on me for drunk driving then I would still be out there. Its what got me into the rooms of AA. I am not guaranteed a clear license after all the paper work and drug test and friends documentation but.......I know that I have done this recovery to the best of my ability and I know I will continue to grow and help others who are trying to recover. So any newbies out there mad at the world because all the crap that has fallen on there heads.....Know that with recovery comes peace and things work out for the best. I am a much better person today because of it. Everyone enjoy there day!!
Driving "privilege". Privilege is right. It's not an entitlement.
I know all about having that "privilege" taken away. Some people make a big deal of it and some don't. I know a guy who had many D.U.I.s and finally got some sobriety going and still drove with no license and no insurance. We encouraged him to cut it out. I told him, "The sooner you go and get that SR-22 and pay your dues, the sooner you'll be done with it." He drives today legally and he has that interlock thingy. I'm proud that he's doing the right way. He's been sober for something like 8 years now and is still suffering the wreckage of his past.
At very least, if I stay continuously sober for good and all, I start to fit back into society and start to get to participate in things I should have been doing all along.
Now, some people say that drinking is a choice. So is breaking the law and being a criminal. If my program of staying sober for the rest of my life consisted of "choosing not to drink again" or considering the consequences, I don't think I'd stay sober on that for too long. Because if I could do that... if I could choose to just don't drink... I've have sobered up long long ago.
You enjoy your day too. Oh wow. It was on this day that I was first issued a drivers license. What a coincidence.
(((Susie))) That is so good to hear and like Mike said thank you for posting !!! I loved reading that! Inspirational ! I never lost my license, though, some would probably say I shouldn't have one anyway and should probably lose it sober !!!!!!!!.....God!!!!....My parking.....................It's when people are watching I just ....er........Oh well!!!.......say no more !!!!! Louisa xx
McGowdog wrote:Oh wow. It was on this day that I was first issued a drivers license. What a coincidence.
Interesting. I can't tell you the day I got my first permanent license, other than it was in June of 1974. I did get my learner's permit on my 16th birthday, and was allowed to idle around the school parking lot with my mom by my side (not allowed to actually touch the accelerator pedal) that same day. I also remember being 6 years old and asking my dad how old I had to be to drive, and he said 16. I did the math... 10 years! Seemed like an eternity. Driving was one of those things I really looked forward to and coveted my entire childhood. Not only because I was really into cars, but just for the freedom it afforded, to just go... anywhere! Strange that I can't remember the date I got my license.
Oh well, I know the date of my last drink, but I don't know the precise date of my first. I don't count sips taken in childhood here and there or the church communion wine, but the first time I *felt* the effects of alcohol. I just know it was very close to 13 years before my last drink. If I had to pick a date, knowing it was a Sunday, it would have to have been Feb 1, 8, 15, 22, or 29 of 1976. College dorm floor party. I choked down one beer over the course of hours at the Saturday night party and felt zero effects. But Sunday night we had a "kill the keg" after-party with the leftovers, and for whatever reason it went down fast and easy. I didn't drink all that much - maybe 3 of the 10-ounce cafeteria cups full - but it was a buzz and that "where have you been my whole life" moment that got me started.