I am proud to say that I have been sober for 8 months and one day today.  I am so glad that on this recovery journey I have gotten my life back.  I am able to be an active participant in my life and I feel so strong and stable.  Right now I am out of town visiting with a bunch of ladies from my family.  Mom, Aunt, Mother in Law and her best friend.  I happliy turned down a drink at dinner, knowing that I don't need to drink to have a good time and that I am smart and funny without alcohol.  I don't need it and I honestly don't crave it.  I was a daily drinker, usually in check, but when life was overwheleming, I would use alcohol to hide from my life, or help me feel more 'confident' in a social setting.  With my new found freedom from hiding from my life I have so much less chaos and disfunction in my life, all things I was trying to hide from by using alcohol.  If you are stuggling, know that you are not alone and know that help is out there for you.