Alcohol Almost Killed Me. Here’s Why I Lived

Blackouts, broken relationships, and a failing liver—Gerald Foley's journey through addiction and the day everything changed.

August 08, 2025

The Sobriety Daily Newsletter
August 8, 2025 | Stay Connected, Stay Sober

How one man chose sobriety after alcohol nearly took everything

Gerald Foley’s story isn’t about hitting rock bottom—it’s about surviving it. For years, alcohol took him to the edge: blackouts behind the wheel, dangerous night swims, a liver hemorrhage, and fractured relationships. His wife begged him to stop. His children watched in fear. Yet nothing—not love, not consequences—could break the cycle. Alcohol had its grip, and even as it cost him his marriage and a decade-long relationship, the drink kept winning.

Then came the hangxiety—the crushing dread that followed every binge. Gerald spent half his life recovering and the other half drinking, trapped in a loop his body could no longer tolerate. Worse, he saw his own children starting to drink, repeating the same patterns he’d modeled. The fear of passing on this legacy gnawed at him, but the addiction was louder. Until one day, after a massive hangover, something snapped. Scrolling through sober accounts on Instagram, he realized: If they could do it, why not me?

On Day One, no one believed him—not even himself. But Gerald kept counting. Slowly, the fog lifted. The hangovers stopped. The anxiety faded. And for the first time in decades, he could think clearly. Sobriety didn’t just give him back his health; it gave him back his role as a father, present and accountable. Breaking the generational curse wasn’t just a hope anymore—it was a reality in progress.

Now, at Day 362, Gerald’s life is unrecognizable. The chaos of addiction has been replaced with stability, the shame with self-respect. He laughs without liquid courage, parents without guilt, and wakes up without regret. Most importantly, he’s proof that change doesn’t require a miracle—just a single Day One, followed by another.

If you have a story that you would like to share with our community please drop us a quick email to [email protected] and we will ensure to contact you back asap to discuss your journey…

Today’s Mantra

The bottle promised relief. Sobriety delivers it.

Sobriety News

  1. Plans for a sober living home in Benzonia Township stalled after officials ruled the proposed River Bend Recovery House violates current zoning laws. Local residents raised concerns about the facility, while organizers—led by a church pastor—aimed to open it in 2025 using a donated property.

  2. Paula Patton credits her 15-year-old son Julian for supporting her sobriety journey, calling him her "best friend" during her life-changing decision to get sober seven years ago. The actress, who stars in the new film Finding Faith about addiction, says the role resonated deeply with her personal experience of overcoming chaos.

  3. In October 2024, Door County launched its first all-women’s sober living home in Sturgeon Bay, offering a supportive, substance-free environment for up to six residents recovering from addiction. Run by CORE Behavioral Health, the program tailors recovery plans to individual needs but faces staffing challenges due to Door County’s high cost of living, despite strong community support through donations and furnishings.

  4. Amanda Wilson lost custody of her daughter during addiction but found hope at Brighter Beginnings—a new Warren sober-living home for families, funded by opioid settlement money. While pregnant and rebuilding her life, she now has a safe space to recover and reunite with her child.

  5. A Silver Creek resident launched Sober Curious Shuswap, a 270-member Facebook group, and transformed her Highland Meadow Farm into an alcohol-free venue after hosting guests in addiction recovery in 2022. Inspired by their journey, she gave up social drinking to create a supportive, temptation-free environment, challenging societal norms around alcohol.

Tip of the Day

When old habits whisper, do one thing differently today—even if it’s tiny. Swap the post-work drink for a walk. Text a sober friend instead of a drinking buddy.

Gerald’s journey proves: massive change starts with one defiant choice.

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Stay Strong, Stay Inspired.
The Sobriety Daily Team