sobriety

Today marks 19 years of sobriety. Not drinking isn’t really a feat; what I feel like has been though is having a spiritual awakening and not letting go of that new perspective on life through the ups and downs I’ve experienced since early 2006. That, I am proud of. And I owe it all to the 12 steps.

Head of Product at @syky /digital-fashion. Love all dogs and especially my own. ex-Ledger

When people talk about the greatest inventions of the 20th century, they’ll mention transistors, the internet, medical advancements, transportation; hell, we went to the moon. What they fail to realize though is that the 12 steps were invented in the 1930s and has impacted the lives of practically everyone you know.

While probably 10s of millions of people have gotten sober via the 12 steps, the second and third order effects of this in communities and society are large means that everyone reading this has absolutely benefited from the existence of the 12 steps.

Russell Brand wrote a book that adapts the 12 steps to everyday life. I personally like his frankness and no-nonsense approach. He made a workbook you can use to go through the steps:

Russell Brand wrote a book that adapts the 12 steps to everyday life. I personally like his frankness and no-nonsense approach. He made a workbook you can use to go through the steps: https://www.russellbrand.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/russell-brand-recovery-the-program.pdf

I'd recommend reading the book as well to get the full context and understanding:

I'd recommend reading the book as well to get the full context and understanding: https://www.amazon.com/Recovery-Freedom-Addictions-Russell-Brand/dp/1250141923

And if you really want to nerd out, you can go back to the source and read the original text, Alcoholics Anonymous, often referred to as "The Big Book," first published April 10, 1939.

And if you really want to nerd out, you can go back to the source and read the original text, Alcoholics Anonymous, often referred to as "The Big Book," first published April 10, 1939.
https://onlineliterature.aa.org/Big-Book-Jacketless

Some stats about The Big Book worth noting:
- sold 30+ million copies 
- In 2011, Time magazine named it one of the 100 most influential books written in English since 1923
- has been translated into over 100 languages

It wasn't just me and book that got me sober though. There have been countless people involved in my recovery who have helped me at every stage of life. I absolutely would not be where I am today if they had not freely given their time to help me. I thank them by doing my part in trying to pass it on to others.

And today, you don’t have to be an alcoholic or a drug addict to apply the 12 steps in your own life. If you have any discomfort in life, if you feel any uneasiness with your existence, and if you’ve tried other methods to feel better and they haven’t seemed to work, consider the 12 steps.