16 Comments
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Dr. Dana Leigh Lyons, DTCM's avatar

Thank you for such a beautiful share, Josh. What a deeply resonant example of how our own choices impact not just us, but also our relationships and how we show up with and for others.

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Josh Luton's avatar

Thank you for the opportunity, Dana. Always happy to share, and I promise I won't take as long next time... Your offering here is such a gift to the sober community.

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Dr. Dana Leigh Lyons, DTCM's avatar

Aww, thanks, Josh.

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High on Life's avatar

Isn’t it so freeing to learn that we have what we need to feel content in life and that just booze clouds this reality? It is such a joy to truly wake up.

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Josh Luton's avatar

💯 Such a gift and so hard to believe I couldn’t imagine it a few years ago.

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Kaitlyn Ramsay's avatar

Thank you for sharing, Josh. I see a lot of myself in your story, especially around the community piece and getting sober solo without it. I didn't even realise how hard it was until I looked back and realised I could've made the journey a lot easier by reaching out, but like you said too, I'm grateful for it either way.

I'm proud of you in all of the ways!!! And I'm grateful to know you.

And thank you to Dana, as always for curating this space and highlighting sober voices.

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Josh Luton's avatar

Thanks, Kaitlyn, glad to be on this journey with incredible folks like yourself.

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Dr. Dana Leigh Lyons, DTCM's avatar

Thank you for your generous presence here, Kaitlyn!

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Jason Green's avatar

Thanks for sharing Josh! I am grateful to be part of community with you.

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Josh Luton's avatar

Right on, Jason, thanks for reading and for the note. And right back at you on community, grateful to be on this journey with you.

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Kimberly Kearns's avatar

Awesome story, Josh! Lots of similarities here. It took me a while to find my community and I tried to do it all on my own for too long. Community is key. And for me, going to in person meetings was what changed everything. Happy for you and the clarity / peace you have found. Congrats!

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Josh Luton's avatar

Love those resonances, Kimberly. Community has been such a game changer. I feel like it's something people can hear about (i.e. me), but until they experience it, it's difficult to understand the positive impact. Thank you for reading and for commenting.

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Sarah Oakley's avatar

Hey Josh, thanks for your words. I’m 10.5 months into my journey. I have a few sober friends but yes it can be lonely. I could moderate (although that took up alot of brain space) so sometime I feel the benefit but mostly it has been a decision to check in with myself and not check out which I have done my whole life. Hope the journey continues to be authentic and worthy.

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Josh Luton's avatar

Thank you for reading and for your share, Sarah. I resonate with the idea of moderation taking up a lot of mental space. I rarely have the urge to drink these days, but that thought of moderation creeps up every few months before I quickly acknowledge it and let it pass. Sobriety has been a big gift to myself and to my family. I hope you continue to find the same. And am rooting for you on the community front.

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Carol Pedersen's avatar

what a great gift sharing your story is thank you Josh -

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Josh Luton's avatar

Thank you for reading, Carol, and for the kind word.

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