Reflecting on 17 Years of Sobriety
December 26th marks 17 years of sobriety for me. It’s a day I will never forget. On December 26th, 2007, I woke up feeling the weight of regret after drinking on Christmas Day. I felt convicted, ashamed, and broken. I remember thinking, “I’ve crossed a line I can’t live with.”
That morning, I found myself pleading with God, overwhelmed and desperate. “I can’t do this anymore. Please take this desire for drugs and alcohol away from me!” I had tried the one-day-at-a-time approach before, but with my personality, I knew I couldn’t sustain it. I was at the end of myself. I told God, “Either take this desire away, or I’ll end my life. I’m destroying my marriage, and I can’t keep living like this.”
A Divine Nudge
In that moment of surrender, I felt a nudge from God: “Give Me 30 days, and you will be healed.” I remember questioning what that would look like. Each day felt like a battle, but I committed to it. I started small, avoiding situations where I knew I would be tempted. I prayed constantly, sometimes every hour, just asking God to carry me through the day. I also began reading Scripture more intentionally, focusing on passages about God’s strength and deliverance. On tough days, I leaned heavily on Sandy, telling her when I felt weak. Those 30 days weren’t perfect, but every time I chose to stay sober, I felt a little stronger. By the time the month ended, the desire had lifted in a way I can only describe as miraculous. At first, I thought I was imagining things. Why would God need 30 days? But something inside me shifted. Later, I understood that almost every miracle in the Bible followed an act of obedience. This was my step of obedience—those 30 days.
I ran to Sandy and told her I was giving up drugs and alcohol for good. She was supportive but cautiously optimistic. I had made promises before, and she had heard them all. Still, she said, “I’ll help you.” Her support meant everything.
One Day at a Time
During that first week, I kept thinking, “Can I make it to the New Year without drinking?” When I did, I aimed for two weeks, then three. By the fourth week, something incredible happened—the desire to drink and do drugs disappeared. God healed me.
I had spent 19 years trapped in addiction, starting at age 17. My drinking wasn’t constant; it ebbed and flowed with life’s highs and lows. When life was good, I didn’t drink much. But when trials hit—like when my mom passed away six months after I married Sandy—I turned to alcohol to mask the pain.
The Impact of Pain and Loss
Losing my mom on April 26th, 2003, shattered me. Our fairytale marriage felt like it crumbled overnight. I tried to escape the pain by traveling with Sandy, racking up credit card debt. When the money ran out, I drowned my sorrow in alcohol.
Sandy endured those years with grace. She loved me through my brokenness, even when it was difficult. There were days she prayed over me while I slept, asking God to give me the strength I lacked. She listened without judgment when I needed to talk and held me accountable in gentle but firm ways. Sandy’s love wasn’t just passive endurance; it was active, intentional, and rooted in a belief that God could redeem our situation. Some might say she was too forgiving, but in truth, she allowed me to experience God’s love through her. Her unwavering love softened my heart, making space for God to work.
Healing and Restoration
Through God’s grace and Sandy’s love, I found healing. Today, I write for God, working toward launching a marriage ministry—a passion born from my journey of sobriety. The process of healing from addiction ignited a desire in me to help other couples find hope and restoration in their own marriages. As God healed me, I began to see how my personal transformation could impact not just my life but the lives of others. This ministry is a reflection of that redemption, a testimony to how God can turn even the darkest chapters of our lives into sources of light for others. Sandy and I also ran The Chris & Sandy Show, interviewing over 600 people in the entertainment industry. Now, we focus on The Customized Ride and continue raising our two children, a 12-year-old son and a 5-year-old daughter.
Our marriage just celebrated 22 years in October 2024. We’ve faced new challenges, especially in 2022 when we lost my dad and Sandy’s mom within three months of each other. But through it all, God’s faithfulness endures.
Lessons from 17 Years of Sobriety
- God Heals, but Obedience Precedes Miracles
- James 4:7 “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”
- I didn’t understand it at the time, but my obedience in those 30 days opened the door for God’s healing.
- The Power of Love and Support
- 1 Corinthians 13:7 “Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.”
- Sandy’s love reflected God’s unconditional love for me, helping break the chains of addiction.
- Sobriety is Possible for Everyone
- Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
- God may use different paths for healing—whether it’s AA, Celebrate Recovery, or another program. Seek Him for direction.
Sobriety Statistics and Hope
- According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, about 30% of adults in the U.S. have struggled with alcohol abuse at some point in their lives. However, studies show that long-term sobriety is achievable through faith-based programs and community support.
- Celebrate Recovery reports that over 70% of participants remain sober after completing the program, highlighting the importance of faith in recovery.
Final Thoughts
I won’t tell you, “If I can do this, so can you.” Every journey is unique. Some find healing through AA or Celebrate Recovery, while others experience breakthrough through therapy, accountability groups, or even quiet personal moments with God. I’ve met people whose sobriety began in church pews, counseling offices, or late-night conversations with friends who wouldn’t give up on them. Each path is different, but the common thread is hope and perseverance. But I will say this: If I found my way, you can find yours. God’s healing power is available to everyone. You don’t have to walk this path alone.
To anyone struggling with addiction today, know that God sees you. He hasn’t given up on you. Take that first step of obedience and trust Him to guide you the rest of the way.