I started drinking at 15, and by the time I joined the military, my alcohol use was already out of control. The military culture only fueled my addiction, and over my 10-year service, I drank heavily almost every day. I went through a 16-week outpatient recovery program near the end of my military career, but I relapsed soon after. For years, I kept drinking to cope with the stress of daily life, often blacking out and waking up to the consequences. It wasn’t until July 2020, after a serious blackout and an ultimatum from my wife, that I decided I needed to quit for good. I went cold turkey and have been sober since then. The first year was tough, but with weekly therapy and support from my family, I’ve managed to stay on track. Today, I’m proud to be sober and committed to sharing my experience to help others who are struggling with alcohol addiction.