I was told in treatment that I had to make sobriety my first priority, above any other person or thing in my life. At the time, I thought that was simplistic - surely occassionally other things might have to take my full attention: relationships, job, other health issues that might arise, etc. I am coming up on a year now, and I would describe it this way: everything in my life comes from a perspective of sobriety. Any thing that is incompatible with my sobriety is incompatible with my life. And much to my suprise - I LOVE my life now. It's not a sacrifice, it's a gift.