Many people who abuse alcohol or drugs admit they’re only really, really good at a few things: drinking or drugging, lying or pretending to be sober, and—most of all—making excuses. Whether it’s making up a reason for why they can’t make it to an event or family function, or why their drinking or drugging isn’t so bad after all, they always have something to say to try to cover up their tracks.

I should know, because I was one of them. I too had a million excuses as to why I couldn’t get sober. In fact, to me, they weren’t even excuses at that point; they were valid reasons as to why getting sober would actually ruin my life more than benefit it. But if we’re being honest with ourselves, there isn’t one good enough reason in the world against getting sober.

You may have used a couple of these gems as excuses yourself, or heard it from someone else in active addiction. In the end, they are called excuses for a reason and are not realistic arguments at all. Here are the 3 of the worst reasons a person can give for not getting sober.

1. “I can control it.”

Many of us have made this statement, especially those of us who didn’t use every day. However, once we actually start drinking or drugging, there’s absolutely nothing that can control us. Oftentimes, this excuse is used by alcoholics who only binge drink on the weekends, during after work get-togethers and any other special events. They tend to think they don’t have a problem because their habit is “under control.” However, it’s more about the things you do and the consequences that result from your using; not about how much you use. And the truth is there’s no such thing as controlling your habit because, if it hasn’t already, it will inevitably snowball until it controls you.

2. “Rehab is too expensive.”

It’s true. Rehab centers can be quite expensive. When I got my first DUI and finally completed probation, I paid off more than $10,000 in expenses. Back then, I remember thinking to myself, “Going to rehab would’ve been real expensive.” In retrospect though, if I could afford to use every day and pay for the damage I cause while I’m high, rehab surely wasn’t that much more expensive than what I already spent daily. And fortunately, even without insurance, there are rehab programs available to everyone. Rehab is oftentimes the only answer left for those who are still drinking and drugging, so you aren’t fooling anyone with this excuse. All you need to do is show up to the rehab center and they can help you figure out the rest.

3. “Sobriety isn’t fun.”

Believe it or not, there was actually a time in your life when you had fun being sober because you’ve never abused alcohol or drugs before. Back then, you’ve never used anything to alter your state of mind and you were completely OK. We often forget that we were once capable of experiencing happiness without using because we’ve landed so far down the bottom that those memories seem like they were pulled so far away from us that they no longer feel like they were ours.

Now, let’s remember the times we woke up sick from not having any money to get high. Remember the time we stole money from people we loved so we could buy alcohol or drugs. Perhaps, remember the day we were arrested because we were belligerently drunk or caught buying drugs. Was it fun? Most of all, was it worth it?

In sobriety, we’re advised to take life one day at a time. How much more disappointing could that be than having to find ways to take our pints or doses just to avoid feeling like crap each day? And I’ll tell you this much: I can’t remember doing anything more fun than waking up and remembering everything that’s happened the night before.

At the end of the day, nobody can convince you to get sober or make you realize that you’re making unrealistic excuses. Just don’t let those excuses become your life because, take it from me, sobriety really is all that it’s cracked up to be. The catch is that you’re the only person who can decide if you want it.

If you or someone you know is seeking help for addiction, please visit our directory of treatment centers or call 866-606-0182 to start the path to recovery today.