NEEDTOBESOBER

I am starting a thread to remind us why we quit and resons why we use.
benefits - getting messed up so I will feel numb
to make myself feel good
to make me more sociable
to forget my problems
to have fun

consequences

jail or prison
death
mental institution
problems w/family
costs a lot of money
hangovers
withdrawals
getting violent
losing jobs

add to my list

as you can see the consequences outweigh the benefits so why even bother using again, stay sober and your life will be so much better!

Aysha

I started a thread like this a couple months ago. Hers what mine was..
I just copied it from that thread...and I am sure there are way more I couls add to the positive. But I will do that when I have more time.

Using advantages:

1. Excitement
2. Forget stress
3. Kill boredom
4. The buzz
5. No responsibility
6. Sometimes fun
7. Forget my problems
8. Getting away from it all


Using DISadvantages:

1. Spend all my money
2. Unhealthy
3. Risk my freedom
4. Risking my life
5. Hanging with grimy people
6. Waste gas
7. Waste time
8. Waste money
9. Put myself in chaotic situations
10. Disappointment from my family
11. Loss of employment or missed days
12. Feel like crap
13. Look and feel dirty
14. Dont sleep for days
15. Dont eat for days
16. Neglect hygeine
17. Dont pay my bills
18. Look and act stupid
19. Always paranoid someone is going to break in my house and hurt my grams
20. Hallucinations after a few days
21. Chronic coughing afterwards
22. So drained after
23. Takes for ever to come down and calm down
24. Having to start over
25. Shame
26. Depressed reall bad for about a week after
27. Feeling worthless
28. Never satisfied...Need more and more
29. The high is never "THEE" one


Ok...Now

NOT using advantages:

1. I am happier
2. My family is happier
3. Gain my familys trust
4. Healthier
5. Have money
6. Can save money
7. Look and feel so much better
8. More quality time with my family
9. My bills are paid
10. Can make it to work and work at full capacity
11. I am here for my grams
12. Not putting stress on my grams
13. Feel like a person with a purpose
14. More focused
15. No legal problems
16. No anxiety or depression
17. Can enjoy the simple things in life


NOT using DISadvantages:
1. Miss the excitement
2. Miss old friends that use or deal
3. Having to deal with urges almost on a daily basis.
4. Not a whole lot really.

Hope

Keep this list handy when you start to get those thoughts. It will help you to play the tape through to the end.

CarolD

I quit drinking because my alcoholism
made me depressed. I detested myself.

The benefits?
A life of purpose and joy

citychick

I quit drugs/alcohol because my health and sanity where in Serious jeopardy.

and the benefits of sobriety are 'a brand new life, not the old one dressed up.'

Rusty Zipper

quit using because i was about to die...

advantage, i'm here, and with a truly better life, how to deal with it, and outlook on it!

dave47

I quit because i was tired,unfit,lazy,cynical,and negative.I couldn't be told anything,and even though i always made time to do things with the kids,some of the time was a struggle.Work also was a struggle and lack of sleep due to drinking most of the night was also a big problem.I feel a lot happier in my self now and long may that be.

mikel60

Benefits of using: None
benefits of not using: A life