Well WenD, hear it again--don't get cocky about your sobriety time--there's plenty that'll do that for ya! If it's pertinent to the conversation, then you use it. If you use it for selfish reasons, that's different. I find learning about all the selves and self's is the hardest task of all.

I'm glad you're here. The more, the merrier! I was very much in awe of people with long time sobriety too. I am even more so now! I think back and wonder how any of them put up with me! I was a miserable wretch just picking for a fight. And I picked at everything and everyone. Nothing was sacred. Out of all that, my not drinking today became my next breath.

Life is a kaleidoscope and full of smoke and mirrors. I live where success and failure are difficult enough to live through much less predict. Taking my next breath demands explicit allowances for uncertainty. I have to prepare for those times in advance.

I have a card that an old timer gave to me. I keep it where I'm sure to see it & read it frequently. Maybe you'll like it--it didn't scan so great but it's a little dog eared.

2 separate paragraphs pulled from:

Alcoholism as a Manifestation of Allergy

W. D. Silkworth

1937

"It is noteworthy also, that such patients may be deprived of liquor altogether for a long

period, a year or longer for example, and become apparently normal. They are still allergic,

however, and a single drink will develop the full symptomatology again...

It is true, of course, that psychologically much assistance can be given. Wrong methods

of thinking can be corrected. Extroversion rather than introversion can be encouraged;

but fundamentally this individual must stand on his own platform, come what will – social

and financial troubles, heredity, etc., not withstanding."