850 Days Without Alcohol: What Sheila Wishes She Knew Sooner
Sheila didn't wake up one morning and decide to change her life. The decision came late at night—on the back porch, drink in hand, staring up at the stars. And in that moment of clarity, she realized: “This is it. You’ve got to be done.”
On this episode of the Sober Strong Podcast, Sheila opens up about her 18-year battle with alcohol, the deep emotional and financial toll it took on her family, and how—850 days later—she’s navigating sobriety with faith, structure, and brutal honesty.
🎧 Watch the full episode here 👇🏻
“God, You’ve Got to Help Me”: The Moment It All Changed
After another party turned into a blackout blur, Sheila stood outside her home, rum and coke in hand, and looked up at the night sky. It wasn’t her first attempt to quit drinking—but this time felt different. Her marriage was unraveling, her finances were in chaos, and the physical toll was mounting.
“I had tried so many times before. But I finally said out loud, ‘God, you’ve got to help me. I can’t do this on my own.’”
That was the night she poured her drink out into the yard, walked inside, and started a new life.
Years of Trying, Failing, and Justifying
Sheila didn’t fall into addiction overnight. Like many, her drinking started casually—social events, stressful workdays, a glass of wine to unwind. But it escalated quickly.
She’d tried to quit as early as 2013, lasting just a few months.
She limited drinking to weekends… then weekdays crept in.
She would come home from work and have two drinks before 4 p.m.
Each attempt to quit was followed by the same cycle: rationalization, relapse, regret.
The Breaking Point: Mental Health in the Red Zone
In the months leading up to her final drink, Sheila’s health crumbled.
She was navigating post-COVID teaching stress, the hormonal chaos of menopause, and unchecked anxiety. “If I wasn’t crying, I was shaking,” she recalls. “I thought my heart was going to jump out of my chest.”
She used up all her sick days. She couldn’t focus past 8:30 a.m. at work. Eventually, she took a sabbatical.
One Person. One Phone Call. One Lifeline.
It was Sheila’s aunt—30 years sober herself—who picked up the pieces.
She flew Sheila down to Florida, brought her to her first AA meeting, handed her The Big Book, and became her sponsor. Since then, Sheila has built a powerful support network that includes AA meetings, Zoom groups, prayer, and a strong morning routine.
“If it weren’t for her, I don’t think I’d be here talking to you today.”
The Tools That Keep Her Sober
What keeps Sheila grounded in sobriety every day? A toolkit of practical, repeatable habits. She rebuilt her entire lifestyle from the inside out.
Tool How It Helped Frequency
I Am Sober App Daily pledge & tracking Daily
Bible Plan Grounding in faith Daily (morning)
AA Meetings (Zoom + Local) Accountability, community Several/week
Meditation + White Noise Stress management, emotional clarity As needed
Reading (165 books in a year!) Filling the time, reprogramming routine Daily
The Damage Left Behind—And What’s Still Healing
Alcohol didn’t just affect Sheila’s body. It devastated her relationships.
Her marriage is still on the rocks. Her husband asked for a divorce a year into her sobriety.
Financially, she maxed out credit cards while drinking and shopping, forcing multiple home equity loans.
Her kids saw more than she’d like to admit—though now, she’s showing up for them, every single day.
“I’ve done the amends. I’ve said I’m sorry. But I know there’s stuff they still carry.”
Sheila’s now a sober grandma, rebuilding trust with her adult children—and herself.
Building a Life That Doesn’t Include Alcohol
One of Sheila’s most powerful takeaways?
“I had to let my old life die in order to create a new one.”
She replaced the ritual of coming home and pouring a drink with decaf coffee, cozy pajamas, reading, and stillness. She gave up caffeine, joined Audible, started working out, and changed her daily rhythm.
Critics may say she’s replacing one habit with another. But to Sheila, these are lifelines—not vices.
Her Advice for Anyone Struggling
When asked what she’d tell someone who’s stuck in the cycle of alcohol abuse but scared to quit, Sheila doesn’t sugarcoat it:
“Take it one moment at a time.” Not one day—just one hour, one decision at a time.
“Find support. Whether it’s a family member, a sponsor, or a local AA meeting—don’t go it alone.”
“Change the script.” If drinking was your escape, find a new one.
“You’ve earned a chair in the circle. Go sit in it.”
“I wouldn’t trade my sobriety for anything—not even on the worst day.”
Healing Takes Time—and a Lot of Honesty
Sobriety didn’t instantly fix everything. Sheila still deals with emotional whiplash, regret, and moments of doubt. But now, she faces them head-on.
“The easiest part is putting the bottle down. The hard part is staying sober and working through your feelings.”
She uses her faith as a daily anchor, leans on community support, and keeps paying it forward—through open conversations like this one.
Final Thought
Sheila’s story isn’t about perfection—it’s about persistence. About waking up after 18 years of numbing pain, choosing to feel every moment, and showing up for herself and the people she loves.
And if she can do that, you can too.
👉🏻 You can follow Sheila here: recoverygirl1029
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