Tom Gustin
- Age
- 62
- Sober Since
- June 30, 1990
- Sober For
- 36 Years & 80 Days
01 What it was like
Blackout drinker, out of control. It's said that to be an effective liar, you have to have a great memory. Blackout drinkers like me have a tendency to fail abysmally at that. Caught in a web of my own lies.
It's said that to be an effective liar, you have to have a great memory.
02 What happened
I was given the gift of desperation, wanting to take my own life on the morning of my last hangover, I picked up the phone instead and called a guy with 7 years sobriety that I'd previously partied with for many years. The first meeting set me on a course of change for every aspect of my life. I found the solution in a sponsor, a homegroup and 5 literature meetings a week.
03 What it is like now
Today I am free of the bondage of self, to the extent that I surrender, live the 3rd Step prayer and the Formula: "Just to the extent that we do as we think He would have us, and humbly rely on Him, does He enable us to match calamity with serenity." I still need all 5 literature meetings, the 2 homegroups I have, and the constant means to enlarge my spiritual life away from the tables of AA.
More sober stories
View all →
Choose your next step
Find support for your own recovery
Understand sobriety
What is Sobriety? Understanding Your Path to True Freedom
Explore what sobriety truly means in this enlightening article, delving into its journey beyond physical abstinence to emotional and psychological freedom. Discover how therapies like CBT, DBT, and MAT, along with a holistic approach, are key to overcoming addiction. Learn about sobriety's positive impacts on relationships, mental health, and overall well-being, highlighting the profound sense of freedom and fulfillment it brings.
Take the first step
Getting Sober: How to Start Safely and What to Do Today
If you want to get sober but do not know where to begin, start with the immediate questions: how to stop safely, who to ask for help, and what support you will need in the first few days.
Support your recovery
Staying Sober: A Practical Guide to Protecting Your Recovery
Once you stop drinking or using, there is still work, family, stress, and free time to figure out. Staying sober involves building routines and knowing who to call when you want to use again.
Explore warning signs
Signs of Addiction by Substance: When to Ask for Help
You may have noticed changes in your own drinking or drug use, or be worried about someone close to you. Start with the substance involved to read about warning signs and where to get help.