Sobriety Anniversary Speech: Step-By-Step Guide On What to Say

You did it! It seemed tough and impossible the first day you decided to give up drugs and alcohol. You worked hard and overcame all the challenges that came your way. And today, you're celebrating your sobriety anniversary. This is a huge accomplishment and you should feel proud of yourself! Now, it's time to celebrate your sobriety anniversary with a speech that commemorates everything you've been through and accomplished.

But where do you start your sobriety anniversary speech? How do you encapsulate everything you want to say in just a few minutes? And what should you say to an audience full of your family, friends, and your fellow sober community members?

In this post, we will give you a step-by-step guide on how to write up a sobriety anniversary speech. Of course, this is just a guide and you can always add your own personal touches to make your speech even more special.

How to Write a Sober Anniversary Speech

When it comes to a sobriety anniversary speech, some people wing it and speak from the heart. However, not everyone has the natural gift of being a public speaker. If you're feeling nervous about giving a speech, that's perfectly normal! The best way to ease your nerves is to be prepared. So, in this section, we'll give you some tips on how to write and structure your sober anniversary speech.

If you're only given a few minutes to speak, you want to keep your speech brief yet still powerful. For this purpose, we recommend dividing your sobriety anniversary speech into three parts:

1) Introduction

2) Recovery Experience

3) Gratitude

Part 1: Introduction of Your Sobriety Anniversary Speech

The common way to start your speech is to state your name and how long you've been sober. For example, "My name is John and I'm celebrating my 2-year sobriety anniversary today." This part is quite simple and straightforward. But what do you say after that?

A great way to start your speech is by sharing something personal to you related to your sobriety journey. Depending on your experience, you can choose different approaches.

Here are some examples of how you can start your speech.

Start with a Rock Bottom Story

Many people use this approach because it's relatable and it provides context and contrast. You start by sharing your rock bottom story- when you hit your lowest point and decide that enough was enough. This part of the speech is usually emotional, but it's also a great way to show how far you've come.

For example:

"Two years ago, I was at my lowest point. I had just lost my job, my family was falling apart, and I was addicted to drugs and alcohol. I had hit rock bottom and I didn't know what to do. That's when I decided to seek help. I checked myself into rehab and started my journey to sobriety."

Start with a Light-hearted Story

This approach is less common, but it can still be effective. You start by sharing a light-hearted story that's related to your sobriety journey. This part of the speech is meant to be humorous and entertaining, while still providing context for your sobriety journey. You can use this approach if you want your speech to be more positive.

For example:

"When I first decided to enter rehab, I thought that my biggest problem was missing episodes of my favorite TV show. So, I remember packing up my things and bringing my TV with me to rehab. Needless to say, that didn't go over well with the staff. But it was a turning point for me - it showed me that I needed to change my priorities if I ever wanted to get sober."

Start with a Quote

If you are not comfortable sharing a personal story, another option is to start with a quote. This can be a quote from a book, movie, song, or even something you heard someone say. You can also use a quote from the AA Big Book. The key is to find a quote that resonates with you and your sobriety journey.

For example:

“It’s simple, not necessarily easy but the rewards are endless... I have never really understood what this quote from AA really meant until today. Now that I am celebrating my sobriety anniversary, I realize that it’s the small things in life that really matter. The simple things are what make sobriety worth it."

Part 2: Share Your Recovery Experience

The second part of your speech is where you talk about your recovery experience. The purpose of this part is to give the audience a glimpse into your sobriety journey, what you’ve been through, and what you’ve learned.

This is usually the longest part of the speech because there's so much to share. But, you still want to keep it concise and focus on the most important points. Here are a few things you can talk about in this part of the speech:

• Your experience in rehab/treatment
• The challenges you’ve faced and how you overcame them
• What you’ve learned in sobriety
• What sobriety has done for your life

For example:

"Deciding to go to rehab was one of the best decisions I've ever made. It was tough at first. Adjusting to a life without drugs and alcohol was harder than I thought it would be. But, with the help of my therapist and the support of my family, I was able to get through it.

I quickly realized that I wasn't alone. There were other people there who were going through the same thing I was. We supported each other and helped each other through the tough times.

In sobriety, I've learned so much about myself and what I was capable of. I've learned how to deal with difficult emotions, how to build healthy relationships, and how to live a life that I'm proud of.

Sobriety has changed my life for the better. I'm happier and healthier than I've ever been. I have a job that I love and a family that supports me."

Part 3: Express Gratitude

The third and final part of your speech is where you express gratitude. This is your chance to thank the people who have supported you on your journey.

You can thank your sponsor and sober support network. These are the people who have helped you stay sober, even on the days when you didn't think it was possible. You can also thank your family and friends for their love and support.

Finally, you can express gratitude for your sobriety. This is your chance to reflect on how far you've come and how much your life has changed since getting sober.

For example:

"I'm so grateful for my sobriety. It's been life-changing. I'm grateful for the people who have supported me on this journey. I couldn't have done it without them. I'm also grateful for the lessons I've learned in sobriety. They've made me a better person."

Celebrating Your Sober Anniversary with a Speech

There are no right or wrong ways to write a sobriety anniversary speech. No matter what approach you take, what's important is that your speech celebrates your sobriety journey and inspires others to stay sober.

If you are struggling with substance abuse, contact Anaheim Lighthouse today.