Where do you find the strength to remain sober?
as a sober contributor
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: California
Posts: 1,312
Where do you find the strength to remain sober?
I hadn't seen a thread like this and thought maybe it could help someone who is struggling.
Last night, I just about wore my 24hr chip smooth. I must have rubbed that thing for at least 3 hours.
I'm hoping to get my 18 month one soon, as I have already passed that milestone.
Some of the other things that keep me on track are:
-You fine folks here at SR who have been instrumental in my sobriety.
-Several other friends that have also helped me immensely.
-Memory's of my dear Mom, who I know is very proud of my efforts.
-The threat of a relapse causing a major Gout attack and unbearable pain.
-Memory's of my Dad and his rampant alcoholism during my childhood.
-Memory's of a friend who recently passed due to addiction & the H1N1 virus.
How about you?
Last night, I just about wore my 24hr chip smooth. I must have rubbed that thing for at least 3 hours.
I'm hoping to get my 18 month one soon, as I have already passed that milestone.
Some of the other things that keep me on track are:
-You fine folks here at SR who have been instrumental in my sobriety.
-Several other friends that have also helped me immensely.
-Memory's of my dear Mom, who I know is very proud of my efforts.
-The threat of a relapse causing a major Gout attack and unbearable pain.
-Memory's of my Dad and his rampant alcoholism during my childhood.
-Memory's of a friend who recently passed due to addiction & the H1N1 virus.
How about you?
Member
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Deep in the heart of Texas
Posts: 1,736
I'm very, very new, but I'm going to jump in anyway - hope you don't mind.
Aside from the obvious (my children, my husband and all of my new SR friends), for me it was a quote someone shared with me shortly after a dear friend (40 year old mother of 2) died after only a month-long battle with cancer.
The quote was this:
"When we live our best lives, we honor what others have lost."
That quote stopped me in my tracks. I wasn't even close to living my best life. My sweet friend didn't do anything to cause her cancer but my willingness to pick up a bottle every night was slowly killing me. Soon it could be my husband delivering my eulogy and guiding my children thru their grief. She died fighting a very brave, valiant, ferocious fight. I was taking the coward's way out. I didn't stop then, but thankfully I stopped 8 days later.
She died on Jan. 10th so this is all very fresh in my mind. I repeat that quote at least once a day and think about my friend many more than that. That's where I find my strength today.
Congrats on last night. You made it to face another day and to share your hope with us. I'm glad to be here with you.
Aside from the obvious (my children, my husband and all of my new SR friends), for me it was a quote someone shared with me shortly after a dear friend (40 year old mother of 2) died after only a month-long battle with cancer.
The quote was this:
"When we live our best lives, we honor what others have lost."
That quote stopped me in my tracks. I wasn't even close to living my best life. My sweet friend didn't do anything to cause her cancer but my willingness to pick up a bottle every night was slowly killing me. Soon it could be my husband delivering my eulogy and guiding my children thru their grief. She died fighting a very brave, valiant, ferocious fight. I was taking the coward's way out. I didn't stop then, but thankfully I stopped 8 days later.
She died on Jan. 10th so this is all very fresh in my mind. I repeat that quote at least once a day and think about my friend many more than that. That's where I find my strength today.
Congrats on last night. You made it to face another day and to share your hope with us. I'm glad to be here with you.
Member
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Chattanooga TN
Posts: 596
I got tired of not living, and living sober is hard I must admit. But it IS living, so i have been good.
I won't say I haven't had my temptations, but I have my journals from when I was drinking... and no, I am not going back there ever again no matter what my day is like, or what I "think" I want.
I won't say I haven't had my temptations, but I have my journals from when I was drinking... and no, I am not going back there ever again no matter what my day is like, or what I "think" I want.
Member
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Gardner
Posts: 93
I strongly rely on my Higher Power, which is God - and truly believe that through working the 4th and 5th steps I had a spiritual experience. I really did feel the mental obsession being lifted. I count on my new found family to help me in times of weakness, and remember to ask that God's will be done, not mine. I'm so grateful for this gift of sobriety.
happy, joyous an free!
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: northeast
Posts: 693
I know joy now. It gives me strength everyday to look at my world and everything in it from a place of serenity. I laugh a lot! People think I'm crazy 'cause no matter what is going on I can find something good in it. I can be present for everyone and everything (including myself!) instead of hiding all the time. This is not who I used to be. I don't ever want to go back there. Ever.
Great thread Hope!
Great thread Hope!
Member
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 14,919
A lot of good things mentioned so far.
One additional thing for me is making a gratitude list and looking at it from time to time.
I managed to stop before I started losing stuff. Like my health, my marriage, my kids, my job, my freedom. If I had kept going down the path I was, I probably would have lost it all. And I'm one drink (which leads to 2 which leads to 12 which leads to a 3 day binge . . . ) away from disaster if I pick up again.
One additional thing for me is making a gratitude list and looking at it from time to time.
I managed to stop before I started losing stuff. Like my health, my marriage, my kids, my job, my freedom. If I had kept going down the path I was, I probably would have lost it all. And I'm one drink (which leads to 2 which leads to 12 which leads to a 3 day binge . . . ) away from disaster if I pick up again.
Member
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 6,224
SR is very important to me, I come every day for support and to give support, I don't go to meetings of anything so SR is important to remind me of what was and what is.
The other thing is the way I feel physically and mentally -- I'm not as fit as I hope to be but I'm incredibly well and vibrant physically, if I get tired a good night's sleep fixes that. Mentally the stress has fallen away, I deal with things, I'm more patient and kinder than I have been in years, my intelligence and clarity of thinking are returning.
We have a wonderful kind knowledgeable member at SR called grtgrandpa who posted that he was once told that the first year of recovery is physical, the second is mental and the third is spiritual. I can't wait for more of this and to go for those things.
Next year I'll be 60, if this can happen to me you youngsters have the world at your feet.
The other thing is the way I feel physically and mentally -- I'm not as fit as I hope to be but I'm incredibly well and vibrant physically, if I get tired a good night's sleep fixes that. Mentally the stress has fallen away, I deal with things, I'm more patient and kinder than I have been in years, my intelligence and clarity of thinking are returning.
We have a wonderful kind knowledgeable member at SR called grtgrandpa who posted that he was once told that the first year of recovery is physical, the second is mental and the third is spiritual. I can't wait for more of this and to go for those things.
Next year I'll be 60, if this can happen to me you youngsters have the world at your feet.
Closing the gates of Oblivion
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: OK, USA
Posts: 273
On a funny note,
Won't wake up...wait, who is that?
No twerking with strangers.
Don't have to check for my vehicle in the morning.
I only sleep in my bed now, not the garage, outside, the bathroom, etc.
I don't waste gas going to different stores; I can buy all my groceries at one place.
Don't have to concentrate on walking, now I'm just naturally clumsy.
It's a good start for me!
Won't wake up...wait, who is that?
No twerking with strangers.
Don't have to check for my vehicle in the morning.
I only sleep in my bed now, not the garage, outside, the bathroom, etc.
I don't waste gas going to different stores; I can buy all my groceries at one place.
Don't have to concentrate on walking, now I'm just naturally clumsy.
It's a good start for me!
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