Why is sober date, time sober, etc., an accomplishment?
Why is sober date, time sober, etc., an accomplishment?
Isn't that a little like being proud of never having been to jail?
You're not supposed to be drunk all the time anyway, so why should it be looked at as an accomplishment?
I'm not trying to start a battle here. I just don't understand why people look at X days sober as an accomplishment.
You're not supposed to be drunk all the time anyway, so why should it be looked at as an accomplishment?
I'm not trying to start a battle here. I just don't understand why people look at X days sober as an accomplishment.
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Not everyone does see it as an accomplishment. Some do, some don't. The reasons are varied. There is lots posted here on SR about it. Read on.
As an alcoholic, I look at every sober day as an accomplishment. I don't want a medal or anything but it is nice when you hit a milestone to get the appreciation of your fellow alcoholics/addicts.
Join Date: Aug 2011
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Originally Posted by choublak
No...I was hoping an alcoholic could explain it to me.
To others... non alkies... it shouldn't be, and most of us understand that. It's tough, at first, and it's nice to celebrate accomplishments and milestones, and it gives others hope.
I celebrated 3 years this week. I bought my own cake and took it to the meeting... it is a way to give back... to all those who supported me and a way to give others one more person's experience that they may be able to relate to.
I celebrated 3 years this week. I bought my own cake and took it to the meeting... it is a way to give back... to all those who supported me and a way to give others one more person's experience that they may be able to relate to.
Why wouldn't an alcoholic look at X number of days sober as an accomplishment? It's easy for a non-alcoholic to not drink for a week or a month or whatever. It IS quite the accomplishment for an alcoholic to do so.
What if you were overweight your whole life, diets never worked. You ate and ate and ate. Then one day you found a way to lose weight. Wouldn't every time you stepped on the scale and saw you were a pound lighter feel like a victory?
That's what my sober days feel like...times ten!
That's what my sober days feel like...times ten!
I don't know how to explain to a nonalcoholic what it means to need to drink, and conversely, what it's like to get through a day without having to take a drink. It's even more amazing to get through a day and not have to fight the urge to drink--to be relieved of the obsession.
I don't pat myself on the back for not drinking, but I am extraordinarily grateful for my sobriety. If I was allergic to strawberries, it'd be silly to puff myself up because, "I didn't eat a strawberry today." But what if I found that strawberries were the answer to the constant pain I felt?
A sober alcoholic is a miracle. If you're not alcoholic, you're not likely to understand it. Suggestion: find an Al-anon meeting.
Peace & Love,
Sugah
I don't pat myself on the back for not drinking, but I am extraordinarily grateful for my sobriety. If I was allergic to strawberries, it'd be silly to puff myself up because, "I didn't eat a strawberry today." But what if I found that strawberries were the answer to the constant pain I felt?
A sober alcoholic is a miracle. If you're not alcoholic, you're not likely to understand it. Suggestion: find an Al-anon meeting.
Peace & Love,
Sugah
Not everyone counts days. I don't. I just happen to know that my sober anniversary is my birthday, so I can keep up with it that way. July was 3 years for me. Anytime an alcoholic does not take a drink when they normally would, is an accomplishment. Again, if you aren't an alcoholic, you aren't going to understand these things.
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Originally Posted by choublak
But binge drinkers can go for days and weeks without taking a drink.
Is counting the number of days sober an accomplishment for them?
P.S. It's a good question, choublak, by the way)
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Its a huge deal a sobriety date. If I ever make 1 year of sobriety I will expect the city to shut down for the day and give me a parade for my accomplishment!! Of course that won't happen but if I do get a year it will be a near miracle. CHoublak, do you count days of being not addicted to the drama the alcoholic causes??
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So why do some alcoholics not feel the need to count their number of days sober?
Why your curiosity?
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