I will start by saying that I am a 75-year-old Vietnam War veteran. I have been sober since January 27. This the day after the Detroit Lions had played for the NFC championship. That day I said it way past time to end this Rum & Coke dependency and get sober. I had been trying for years to make that move. A couple of weeks before that game, we had an ice storm. I was out of Bacardi and the roads were becoming undrivable. I attempted to drive to the closest liquor store, but driving was so treacherous I turned back home. I decided to visit a neighbor to see if he had any rum I could borrow but he was out. Fortunately, later that day it warmed up a little and the streets became passable enough for me to drive to the store.
I felt really stupid. A late buddy of mine had once said: “do it, just don’t let it do you.” It now was doing me. It was time to stop, I had already been talking to a counselor about my problem, and I had been working on tapering down my drinking, but the reality of my dependency was really apparent.
So, I allowed myself a few drinks as I watched my Lions lose to the 49ers and said, “this is it.” One day led to two days to a week, then a month and then more months. I was fortunate and had no withdrawal symptoms. Yes, I have had a drink on a couple of celebratory occasions. One was when my wife and I toasted champagne on our 50th wedding anniversary celebration. I have also had the pleasure of saying “no thank you” on many other occasions.
In these 11 months my health and quality of life has drastically improved. My wife says I am a much nice person to live with.
I am going to stop now. Thank you for letting me tell just a portion of my story. I look forward to sharing more with others who are in this struggle.
Welcome to the community, @XBacardi, and thank you for sharing part of your story 
I am quite impressed with you quitting cold turkey and at the age of 75, that’s probably a lifetime of habitual drinking that you managed to overcome. Did you use any program to help you get and stay sober?
Congratulations on your golden wedding anniversary, that is quite the milestone! In my country of birth, you get a letter from the head of state when you hit your 60th wedding anniversary (delivered by the mayor with a bouquet of flowers, if I am not mistaken). Does the same tradition exist where you are?
Merry Christmas to you and your family! 
Thank you for welcoming me. Yes, drinking has been an up and down problem for a long time in my life. My journey into sobriety actually began as a 2-part New Year resolution: get and begin using a Silver Sneakers gym membership, get my drinking under control. I started reading up on what happens to your body when you stop drinking and that gave me additional inspiration. I also consciously started a plan to taper down the amount I was drinking. Then I started looking for a therapist. I prayed to God for help and He answered by directing to the right person and giving me the power to resist.
The city I now live in does not recognize milestones as such. The previous city I lived in used to a local newspaper that.
Merry Christmas to you and your family as well.
Well done on your sober time! Welcome to the community and thank you for your service 
My father was also in Vietnam, and got sober in 2020 at age 75 as well! His quality of life has improved drastically over the past 5 years. Glad you’ve experienced this as well. Keep up the good work As a rum drinker who relapsed once myself, I can tell you it’s not worth going back to. Looking forward to hearing more from you 