An American Addiction Centers Resource

New to the DrugAbuse.com Forums?Join or

17 days alcohol, drug and smoke free

Discussion in 'Alcohol' started by L_B, Mar 14, 2016.

  1. L_B

    L_B Community Champion

    Just wanted to update everybody. My husband has not touched any alcohol, drugs or cigarettes in 17 days. I am very proud of him. Mind you we have both been sick with this nasty flu for two weeks but being sick never stopped him before. He has been in a decent mood which is nice to and he told me that he feels so much better. He quit years ago before we met so I am hoping that when he starts to feel better that he will continue on this road. I realize some may think that 17 days isn't a whole lot but for him it is huge. I have not seen that in quite sometimes. The weekends are spent, spending quality time together. Please keep him in your prayers. Thank you!
  2. deanokat

    deanokat DrugAbuse.com Community Organizer Community Listener

    @L_B... This is a wonderful update! And I think 17 days is huge, too!

    Don't be afraid to offer him some positive reinforcement for what he's accomplished. Tell him how proud you are of him. Tell him how much better you think things are when he's sober. So often we are quick to let others know when their behavior is affecting us negatively. We have to remember to offer up positive reinforcement for good behavior, too. :)

    Here's to 17 days turning into 18, 18 into 19, etc. Sending positive vibes to both you and your husband!
    myzsophistication likes this.
  3. L_B

    L_B Community Champion

    @deanokat Thanks that is some great advice! I will be sure to do that. Sometimes I know I feel hesitate about bringing it up. We have been getting along so much better too.
    myzsophistication and deanokat like this.
  4. SashaS

    SashaS Community Champion

    That's great to hear. I can't imagine how much better life must be from him and for his family, the overwhelming joy of knowing that you have stepped onto the right path on your journey to a better life must be great. Just keep re-assuring him that everything will be fine and that he has made the right decision by quitting and starting a better, addiction free life. That he does not need to start again to be happy and that he must remember how much better things will be. My prayers are with him, regards to your family.
    myzsophistication and L_B like this.
  5. kassie1234

    kassie1234 Community Champion

    That's such awesome news L_B! I absolutely agree with deanokat, lots of positive reinforcement is a big thing. And 17 days is huge - I really feel like that's a great basis for a continued attempt at sobriety! Loved what you said as well about the fact you're spending quality time together on the weekends now, you had me smiling with that. Hope things continue on the sober path!
    myzsophistication, deanokat and L_B like this.
  6. zaerine

    zaerine Community Champion

    Right that it was an achievement already as it was not that easy. Good to know that he is feeling good and great if that better feeling will help him be motivated more to continue being clean until he can totally get rid of those bad substances in his system.
    myzsophistication and L_B like this.
  7. Mara

    Mara Community Champion

    That's truly awesome news. I hope that your husband continues with what he's doing. Remaining sober for 17 days is no easy feat. I know that with your support, he will definitely be on his way to full recovery.

    I wish both of you the best. :)
    L_B likes this.
  8. L_B

    L_B Community Champion

    Thank you so much. We made it through day 18 and now into day 19.
    Mara likes this.
  9. L_B

    L_B Community Champion

    Thank you everybody for your positive words of support. They are so wonderful to hear. I am so proud of it. He has been handling it really well which I am surprised at but he knows that things were downward spiraling really fast and that he had to do something. It took him getting sick to realize that. One day at a time is all that we can do! Thanks again your words mean a great deal.
    myzsophistication and Mara like this.
  10. Tsky45

    Tsky45 Community Champion

    That's really good to hear. I could imagine that he would feel much better after not drinking a lot. Drinking a lot of alcohol can cause dehydration and sap someones energy. God speed to you and your husband.
    myzsophistication and L_B like this.
  11. Steve Dawson

    Steve Dawson Community Champion

    Fantastic news L B. 17 days is an eternity for anyone who has an addiction and its more than enough to break the cycle of habitual use. Its great thats he's already feeling the benefits as well, that makes it much easier for him to continue abstaining. I knew I could beat alcohol addiction after about 2 weeks sober, so 14 days was enough for me to really know I could do it, he's past that already. Keep on being supportive and congratulating him on his determination, he just needs to keep on taking it one day at a time and he well on the road to recovery. Great stuff and congratulations to you both.
    L_B likes this.
  12. Momma9

    Momma9 Community Champion

    This is wonderful news! I hope he has a source of outside support and encouragement. Things are going well for now, but there will be inevitable bumps along his road to recovery. I hope you are both feeling better from the flu - that is no fun at all to endure. Please keep us updated as to how things are going :)
    L_B likes this.
  13. Tremmie

    Tremmie Community Champion

    Awesome, great job! 17 days is a lot, definitely a lot progress. Little by little 17 becomes 18, then 19 and then when you least expect it is 100! A day at a time is what it takes, he just needs to focus on that. One day at a time and he will succeed :)
  14. amethyst

    amethyst Community Champion

    Even though my thoughts come with a little delay, I am very happy for the positive change in your life. It's been a few weeks since you sent this post. I hope that everything is still on the up and up with your husband. There often comes a time in life when things are just right to make that big life change, and it continues from there. There is no going back but only the road ahead, no matter how bumpy it appears at times. You just keep on going forwards and upwards.
    My best wishes for both of you! :)
  15. That is amazing. Its very hard for people with addiction to go a day without a fix. Seventeen days is a big thing, I don't know him but i'm proud of him for standing up against addiction I pray that he continues to put up that fight.
  16. puneeth8994

    puneeth8994 Active Contributor

    Congratulations on your family's path to recovery. I wish you all the best for the future, Let's hope the drug free streak continues for you....:D
  17. serenity

    serenity Community Champion

    Congrats to the progress that your husband has made! I do hope that he never relapses and it will be a permanent recovery, since it's only 17 days. I wish him all the best! My prayers are with you.
  18. L_B

    L_B Community Champion

    Thank you everybody. Things are still going really well. We are getting along so much better now and I have to admit for the first time in a very long time I look forward to the weekends. Considering all that he has given up his moods are pretty good and he has been feeling so much better. He has even lost some weight and his sugar levels are finally down to where they should be at. I am very proud of him and how well he is doing. I remember there was a time when I didn't think this time would ever come. One day at at time!
    Momma9 and deanokat like this.
  19. deanokat

    deanokat DrugAbuse.com Community Organizer Community Listener

    @L_B... Wow. Reading your latest comment made me tear up a little. I'm so happy for you. And for your husband. I hope things continue to go well. One day at a time is definitely the best way to approach things. Be sure to appreciate every moment! :)
    L_B likes this.
  20. L_B

    L_B Community Champion

    Thank you @deanokat. I certainly do appreciate every moment. When things have been so bad for so long it is a good feeling to have good times and good days. He opens up and talks to me a lot more then he has in a way and he is much more affected towards me which is a nice feeling. There has been a few days where he has really struggled and there will be many more but I will be here to support him and encourage him and help him as much as I can. I am always telling him how proud I am of him.
    deanokat likes this.