Benefits from staying sober
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Canada
Posts: 608
Benefits from staying sober
Like many people, I've tried to quit countless times in the past only to relapse and pick up where I left off with the booze.
One thing that has helped me was that I focused on the benefits I get from getting to be sober. I think human nature has us shedding a negative light if it comes to "giving up" something. For example, I always found it difficult to say to myself "I can't drink". Now, though, I tell myself "I can drink if I want to, but why would I want to? It's so much more enjoyable now, because I get to remain sober". This may seem trivial, but it has meant all the difference to me.
The last few times I drank I really focused on the positives I got from being buzzed and drunk. There really weren't many. If any of you are like me, then you'll notice that drinking really isn't fun anymore. It used to be fun, sure, but these days it's not enjoyable. I don't laugh or joke around anymore when I'm drunk.
Basically, what I'm trying to say is that there are more benefits to staying sober than we, as addicts, like to admit to. I've gone to a few concerts and pubs the past few weeks while sober, and I honestly have had great times. Nobody really even noticed that I wasn't drinking, and I was fully aware, I wasn't slurring my speech or acting like a moron or spending half of the concert waiting in the beer lineup. I wasn't tired (had a 5 hour energy drink), I was able to enjoy the music more and I was able to drive home afterwards. It was really an enjoyable evening. It causes you to put it into perspective. Forget the negative consequences of drinking for a minute - and we all know there are many. What are the positive benefits? We should focus more on what we feel we're "getting" from drinking.
Just my two cents.
One thing that has helped me was that I focused on the benefits I get from getting to be sober. I think human nature has us shedding a negative light if it comes to "giving up" something. For example, I always found it difficult to say to myself "I can't drink". Now, though, I tell myself "I can drink if I want to, but why would I want to? It's so much more enjoyable now, because I get to remain sober". This may seem trivial, but it has meant all the difference to me.
The last few times I drank I really focused on the positives I got from being buzzed and drunk. There really weren't many. If any of you are like me, then you'll notice that drinking really isn't fun anymore. It used to be fun, sure, but these days it's not enjoyable. I don't laugh or joke around anymore when I'm drunk.
Basically, what I'm trying to say is that there are more benefits to staying sober than we, as addicts, like to admit to. I've gone to a few concerts and pubs the past few weeks while sober, and I honestly have had great times. Nobody really even noticed that I wasn't drinking, and I was fully aware, I wasn't slurring my speech or acting like a moron or spending half of the concert waiting in the beer lineup. I wasn't tired (had a 5 hour energy drink), I was able to enjoy the music more and I was able to drive home afterwards. It was really an enjoyable evening. It causes you to put it into perspective. Forget the negative consequences of drinking for a minute - and we all know there are many. What are the positive benefits? We should focus more on what we feel we're "getting" from drinking.
Just my two cents.
Member
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 339
I used to think that alcohol made things better or easier to deal with. The fact is that alcohol made me not deal with things. It was a place to hide. Facing issues sober has many rewards, for myself and the people I love around me. As a father and husband being sober has been my greatest gift this year.
Member
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Gatineau, QC, CA
Posts: 5,100
Other than the health benefits, at almost a month Sober, I can't help but think I saved around 700$ from not buying booze. It's going towards all the debts I created, the ones I imagined would disappear if I got hammered. LOL! I have to laugh at how stupid I was thinking in the end of my brilliant self destruction career.
Guest
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Prefer to keep it private.
Posts: 29
One motivator for me is that I value my brain and mind far too much to allow them to be repressed or even damaged by alcohol.
My creativity, intellect, mental abilities, they were all suppressed by the alcohol. Gradually they're restoring and I look forward to be able to run at full capacity again, so to speak.
My creativity, intellect, mental abilities, they were all suppressed by the alcohol. Gradually they're restoring and I look forward to be able to run at full capacity again, so to speak.
Guest
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Prefer to keep it private.
Posts: 29
Originally Posted by Thepatman 
Other than the health benefits, at almost a month Sober, I can't help but think I saved around 700$ from not buying booze. It's going towards all the debts I created, the ones I imagined would disappear if I got hammered. LOL! I have to laugh at how stupid I was thinking in the end of my brilliant self destruction career.
Now I'm also climbing out of depth and in a few months I should be fine regarding that. I just realized I spent $10 - $15 a day on booze. That adds up quite quickly. $300 - $450 per 30 days. And that's not including the extra food I ate along with it.
Member
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Midwest
Posts: 9,029
"Other than the health benefits, at almost a month Sober, I can't help but think I saved around 700$ from not buying booze. It's going towards all the debts I created, the ones I imagined would disappear if I got hammered. LOL! I have to laugh at how stupid I was thinking in the end of my brilliant self destruction career"
Hah!!! I was just about to post a comment very like this one. I sat down the other night and paid bills. All before they were due. And had money to pay them. And money left over AFTER paying them. How weird is that?! Now if only I could quit the cigarettes....I would be a milliionaire.
Hah!!! I was just about to post a comment very like this one. I sat down the other night and paid bills. All before they were due. And had money to pay them. And money left over AFTER paying them. How weird is that?! Now if only I could quit the cigarettes....I would be a milliionaire.
Member
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Northeast USA
Posts: 13
I was told on this forum to read the book kick the drink easily. I ordered the kindle version and I must say it was one of the best. Bottom line is by not drinking we must realize we are giving up nothing!!!!!
Currently Active Users Viewing this Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
