This month, on Jan. 25 to be exact, by the grace of God, I’ll celebrate 36 years of sobriety. It’s a known fact that more people seek help for alcoholism and illegal drug addiction in January than in any other month. It’s hard to believe that it’s been that long since I made a decision to quit drinking.

Thirty-six years seem like a long time, but that’s only 13,140 days.

The 12-step program that I attended suggested that I take one day at a time. After being sober for a few years, I realized I had no choice.

Life is lived only one day at a time. How you spend each day depends on the choices you make.

The program also stressed

that alcohol was not my problem but only a symptom of other problems. I was encouraged to work on my

character defects, which is an

on-going process.

As I look back at my first couple

of years of sobriety, I wish I could say that it wasn’t that difficult.

For me it was a daily struggle. Alcohol had become my best

friend. I drank to feel good. I drank when I felt bad. I drank with my friends, and I drank when I was alone.

As my drinking got progressively worse, my relationship with my family was strained to almost the point of total destruction. That’s the way it was for me 36 years ago.

Today, glory to God, with the

love of my family, a few close friends, and 12-step program that showed me how to live without the drug of alcohol, I’m very grateful.

I wouldn’t trade my life for anything. It’s now filled with hope, excitement for the future and a strong desire to help others that may be in the same situation I was in January 1974.

The Bible says God is not a respecter of persons. What He did for me, He’ll do for anyone.

If you, or someone you love, have a problem with alcohol or illegal drugs, help is only a phone call away. I’ll be glad to direct you where help is available. My phone number is (985) 652-8477. You may also write to me at P.O. Drawer U, Reserve, LA 70084 or e-mail: hkeller@comcast.net.