This month, on Jan. 25 to be exact, by the grace of God I’ll celebrate 38 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-eight years seem like a long time, but that’s only 13,870 days. The 12-step program that I attended suggested I take 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 a symptom of other problems. I was encouraged to work on 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 38 years ago.

Today, glory to God, 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 for anything. It’s now filled with hope, excitement for the future, a personal relationship with Jesus Christ 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 has 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 email hkeller@comcast.net.