By HAROLD KELLER

This month, on Jan. 25 to be exact, by the grace of God, I’ll celebrate 28 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.

Twenty-eight years seem like a long time, but that’s only 10,220 days. The 12-step program that I attended suggested that I take it one day at a time. After being sober for a few years, I realized that 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 symptoms of other problems. I was encouraged to work on all my character defects, which is an ongoing 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 28 years ago.

Today, glory to God, and with the love of my family, a few close friends and a 12-step program that showed me how to live without the drug of alcohol, I’m very grateful. I wouldn’t trade my life today 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, in January 1974.

The Bible says that 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, or write to me at P.O. Drawer U, Reserve, LA 70084.

HAROLD KELLER writes this column as part of his affiliation with the Get High on Life religious motivational group. Call him at (985) 652-8477 or write to P.O. Drawer U, Reserve, LA 70084.