one reason i never sobered up sooner is because I always felt that those who had sobered up gave me this vibe of sobriety was nothing but candy and unicorns (to use your terms) I always sat around thinking hogwash I call BS thats not true and continued my drinking knowing full well that sobriety would not offer me unicorns and candy like these sober folks made it seem.
The reality was my interpretation of sobriety was skewed. I had to realize there was not going to be this euphoric wonderful existance once i sobered up. I had to put things into perspective and realize that my life would be much better but it wasnt going to be all peaches and sunshine 24/7. I had to learn to handle the ups and downs of life. No matter how up or how down they could be.