The Long Road Back

The Sobriety Daily Newsletter
May 9, 2025 | Stay Connected, Stay Sober

The Moment I Knew I Had to Stop—For Good

Edward Truman’s relationship with alcohol began at the age of 11, though it wasn’t until he was 13 that drinking became a regular part of his life. Sitting in a pub, sipping Stella and smoking his first joint while listening to Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon, Edward thought, “If the next 30 or 40 years feel like this, it’ll be a buzz.” Little did he know, this moment marked the beginning of a decades-long struggle with addiction.

By the time he was in his late teens, Edward’s drinking had become an obsession. He drank daily, lost his driver’s license twice, and became a familiar face at the Enfield Police Station for his drunken antics. Jobs came and went, often because he’d quit before he could be fired. Despite his intelligence, Edward’s life spiraled into chaos, with periods of sleeping rough and severe health issues, including passing blood due to excessive cider consumption.

Even when the physical toll became unbearable, Edward couldn’t stop. In April 2005, after a brief period of sobriety, he received a tax rebate of £1,350. What followed was a month-long binge, spending every penny on alcohol and drugs. By December 2005, Edward was consuming 15 liters of cider a day, yet it no longer numbed the fear, shame, or guilt.

On December 16, 2005, Edward drank nine liters of cider and realized it didn’t help. The next day, he decided to seek help and began his journey to sobriety.

In his 19+ years of sobriety, Edward has rebuilt relationships with his family, become employable, and achieved incredible milestones, including three skydives and meeting his musical idol multiple times. Music remains his “religion,” and he continues to live as an atheist, proving that sobriety is possible without faith in a higher power.

Edward now dedicates his life to helping others, attending support groups and serving his community. His journey reminds us that while life isn’t always easy, it’s manageable—and sobriety can lead to a life beyond your wildest dreams.

Edward’s story is a testament to resilience, hope, and the power of taking it one day at a time.

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

I release what no longer serves me. My strength grows where my old struggles lived—every sober breath rewrites my story.

Sobriety News

1. Over 200 women gathered at Anthony’s in Malden for the 12th annual Women’s Recovery Court Session, celebrating resilience and empowerment in recovery. The event honored outstanding contributors and was streamed to incarcerated women, featuring inspiring speeches from judges, probation officers, and community leaders.

2. William Brock was finally reunited with his daughter after 17 months in foster care when independent drug tests proved his sobriety, contradicting Georgia DFCS's faulty lab results. His case gained attention after investigative reports exposed flaws in the state-contracted drug testing system, which had wrongly labeled him as positive for methamphetamine.

3. California lawmakers are considering a bill (AB 255) that would allow state homelessness funds to support sober-living shelters, requiring abstinence but offering stability for those in recovery. Critics argue the policy may clash with housing shortages, as relapsed residents would need alternative housing that’s already scarce.

4. The 2nd annual 8 Seconds for Addiction Sober Cowboy Rodeo kicks off next week in Pueblo, offering a supportive space for rodeo athletes in recovery. Founder Lacey Singleton, who overcame alcohol addiction herself, aims to combine rough stock competition with addiction recovery resources to build a sober rodeo community.

Tip of the Day

If your environment keeps pulling you back into old habits, physically remove yourself from triggering spaces—even temporarily. The person in this story found success by avoiding pubs and seeking sober-friendly communities (like music circles).

Try this:

1. Identify one high-risk place (e.g., bars, certain social groups)

2. Replace it with a neutral or supportive space (e.g., coffee shops, meetups, hobby clubs)

3. Test it for 30 days—notice if cravings decrease.

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Stay Strong, Stay Inspired.
The Sobriety Daily Team