A world without alcohol or drugs?
 

Put on your imagination cap. What would you do in a world without any booze or drugs (besides make your own). Seriously, pretend alcohol did not exist.

When circumstances in life are overwhelming for you, how would you deal with your feelings of helplessness, feeling trapped, powerless and out of control? How would you regain control of your emotions?

What all humans really seek is a sense of control. People like to feel in control. We are biologically wired to seek control.​ What we really seek is not a drink, a drug, porn or a bet, but a sense of empowerment, especially in the face of feeling overwhelmed, helpless, trapped and powerless (out of control). The root of all conflicts in life is that we want to be in charge. We want to eat the forbidden fruit of knowledge, we want to be God. We want to call the shots.​

I think there are many reasons why people drink. I'm a sedative addict, I sought oblivion and relief from anxiety. More escape than empowerment.

Honestly? I'd do what I'm doing now. I was a good person before, often happy, lots of success, etc- but my life is so much better. Not because I am sober but because of my willingness to do what you cited as humans main "thing" - I'm not in control of the world anymore. Or trying to create and control a life where it was, at bottom, what and how I wanted. I had to get sober to discover the kind of fulfilling life I have now - but I doubt I would have kept growing like I have since I got sober, if I hadn't had my life as it evolved as I drank.

I would be sad without realizing I'm sad. Because my alcoholism has shown me things about myself I did not know were there.

I would have to find, "Some other way," of escaping the helplessness trap and regain control of how I feel. I would work on loving God and loving others, pray, serve others, listen to music, read, exercise, journal, enjoy, appreciate and share life with people I love. Addictions always serve an emotional purpose. Emotions are short lived and if and when we distract ourselves with behaviors we value, we regain control of our feelings in health ways. "If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. " (2 Cor. 5:17). Empower yourself with whatever work for you.

Socrates said, a life not worth examining, is a life not worth living.
Epictetus the Greek philosopher, “No man is truly free until he masters himself.”
Jesus Christ: “Don’t be conformed to this world but be transformed with new thinking.” Romans 12:2

I'm definitely powerless over alcohol (one drink and I can't stop); I'm also powerless over people, places and things. Through the program of AA I got a lot of tools that helped with all the feelings that once caused me to drink a magnum of wine every day. I couldn't stay sober on my own and I certainly wouldn't have had the support of the fellowship plus those tools.

Except for my chronic depression that is now under "control", I've never felt a serious lack of hopelessness or desire to be a master of the universe. I'm much more comfortable working with others than seeking to be on the top. I have in the past enjoyed a great deal of success, that I subsequently destroyed by my drinking, yet today I am content to just do my best. When I feel overwhelmed I check my premises and usually find that I am the source of the feeling and can find a way to disperse the discomfort without the alcohol and to remedy what is in error for me. I use and build on the skills that I have, knowing that I have certain limitations that I have to accept.

I'm thoroughly thankful alcohol exists. Given how unsuccessfully I used to process a given week or month, I'm lucky I found at least some temporary comfort in booze. Taken to the next level, were it not for alcoholism quite frankly threatening to kill me, I doubt I'd ever looked or if I would have been willing to try the type of spiritual living that I do now.

Looked at that way, alcohol and alcoholism were among the best and most positively influential teachers I've ever had.

And lastly, just because I had very definite problems around booze, that in no way means there's anything wrong with alcohol. Why should the majority of the population who aren't alcoholic give up something just to make me happy, yanno? Like I said though, my problem wasn't alcohol - it was/is alcoholism. ........ISM.

That. The phrase "a peculiar gift" has stuck with me and I am one of those who does indeed believe that alcoholism is the best thing that ever happened to me (ref p 418 BB). I wouldn't be the person I am today without it, and living on this side of it.

I get the point the OP was making - or at least the one I think they were trying to make. For a ton of people the problem is alcohol, the solution is to not drink, and they're not only able to do so but they can do so AND enjoy their life.

In my case, were it not for alcohol I probably wouldn't have lived long enough to hit the age where I started recovery. Given how attractive suicide / dying was looking to me.......until I could get loaded enough to forget......i could argue alcohol saves the lives of alcoholics. ;)

oh yes, me too! Thanks for reminding me.

Although some of us may seek control, I believe it's really an illusion. Once I learned to let go of expectations and stopped seeking control of everything and everyone around me, I became a much happier and more fulfilled person.