Weasel1966

The young ask what it's like to be of a certain age. A simple question asked out of the desire to understand what it is they will inevitably, one day, experience. God willing.

The old don't typically ask what it's like to be young because we already know. We see reminders of youth in almost everything around us. Society is geared to the young and we accept our place in the formation. When we don't, we can often be made to remember by what it is we can do no more.

Drinking is not a career. We don't have love affairs with it. We don't need to break up or write letters in despair to it. It's not a demon nor an affliction. Yet I have to wonder where it comes from when I asked what it's like to be sober.

It's not from that youthful place of innocence. There is no guarantee that the one asking will at some future moment arrive at the "sober time of life." It's not an evolutionary point we all get to eventually.

Want to know what it's like to be sober?

A sober man says "then don't drink!"

But it's not a sober man asking the question now is it?

If it's you asking the question "what's it like to be sober?" then know you are not alone. It's like asking what's it like on the other side? How do I get what you have? Why can't I have that too?

I cannot forget the dark corners where I sat and lived for the many years drinking and drugging. I cannot shed the shame of my actions or take back words that have caused pain.

I can, however, tell you that being sober and living sober are not the same.

For me sober is a condition of my body.

For me living sober is a state of mind. A life lived freely in the context of no alcohol or drugs. It's not a life lived in remiss of anything.

Allow hope to be wider. Cast a net further if you are still asking that question. What it's like to be sober is not evolutionary.

But it is extraordinary!!!!!

Keep at it!

Thomasthetank

I think being sober is what living is like, to put it simply.

When I look back at my years drinking I barely remember a thing, it's like a vague nightmare I can't see properly.

Drinking is like putting the pause button on life.

Nonsensical

Exactly. I never knew I was a slave until I wasn't. I lived my life around drinking. Then I lived my life around not drinking. Now I am just living my life.

MelindaFlowers

I no longer have to just make it through the day. I am actually present and ready for work.

I don't have a splitting headache every day.

My taste buds are satisfied with normal healthy food rather than craving greasy hangover food.

I am consistently hydrated.

My mood is even and even positive most of the time.

I have time now. Time. This is a big one. I never felt like I had enough time to do anything before yet I never got anything done.

I am much less irritable and more motivated to do everything.

I wake up in the morning ready for the day. I wake up feeling rested.

Muffin2

It is the period of life around drinking which worries and freightens me. Have been sober for 3 months once and although life was ok and seemed to be under contro, I went back to the life around drinking. Why?

Weasel1966

Non.... Always good to hear from you. Happy for you!

Great stuff MelindaFlowers!

Muffin... I went back countless times. I was not sure my last day was my last day. But as I get further from it life changes. Keep at it. You can do it.

Lusher

Very well written, as well as thought provoking, thank-you.

Soberwolf

Living sober is awesome

Findingtheway

I was just going to say...being sober = living.

Great minds think alike as they say..

Magellan

Had a difficult day today and this thread was much needed. Thank you.

Nonsensical

I stopped drinking many times. I only started living sober once.

zerothehero

Living sober means feeling everything. All of it. The pleasure and the pain.

bunnezjp

It's LIVING.

Bunnez

Marcher13

If you've had the experience of being outside when it's really glary (as it often is in Australia) and walked inside and seen black spots, you'll know what that's like. You can't see, all you can see is the black spots until your vision adjusts and then slowly everything becomes clear. It's wonderful when those black spots stop dancing in front of you and you can see clearly. Your mind starts working again, you feel comfortable in yourself and tuned in again.

That's what sobriety is like.

trachemys

What's it like to be sober?

I can answer that.

My grandfather kept a jug in the closet. Well, not a jug but a jar. A pint jar full of soft peppermint candy and bourbon. It was his cough medicine. The jar was only there in the winter. And one pint jar would last him all winter. When he got a sore throat, he'd have a spoonful. And one pint jar would last him all winter.

That's a sober life.

PurpleKnight

This was the key for me, the moment I moved from being angry/frustrated that I couldn't drink anymore, feeling that I was missing out on something, thoughts of my life was ruined etc etc

To a perspective of appreciating the benefits of Sobriety and that they out weight the detriments of drinking, rather than simply resisting the urge to drink but instead trying to build a new life with new activities, new routines, a new lifestyle as a "non drinker"

Great post Ken!!

IOAA2

Well I’m as old as dirt and haven’t had a drink in many years, my memory is receding but I recall that period of time before I stopped. It was what I’d expect hell is like, mentally and emotionally.

Fast forward to today and my quick response answer is: now I’m comfortable in my own skin, most of the time. Yes I still get to 3-5 meetings a week and yes it was a period of work and change involved to get here but worth every moment involved.

BE WELL