IOAA2

How many newcomers here want long term sobriety and all its benefits or just get sober to get out of the pain and troubles we’re encountering on the path of drinking.

I’m not talking about our method of doing it.

BE WELL

Croissant

I just wanted out of the pain. I had no real concept of how good my life could be, other than my pre-drinking days.

either way, I think it takes a while for the fog to lift and to see the real benefits of long term sobriety.

LadyBlue0527

They are two separate things aren't they? It takes a bunch of the second to lead to the first.

ultradad

The pain made me consider long term recovery, but it took finally realizing that the pain wouldn't ever end, even if sober, without long term recovery.

IOAA2

Yes it does. I'm wondering about the motives involved. Like "I'll stop until Friday then celebrate my sobriety during the week nd." Or “please get me out of this one.”

I realize many can’t think very far ahead because of the fog alcohol creates within us.

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longoverdue

I think this is an interesting and important question. I want out of the cycle of stop-start-stop-start and all its delusions. I'm starting to accept that if I want that, that means long term sobriety and all of its benefits. I'm accepting I cannot moderate. So I am past that dream/fantasy. I think it is hard to conceive of all of the benefits and the total overhaul long term sobriety demands and offers right now.

MIRecovery

At the end I knew things could not continue as they were and I knew alcohol was to blame. All I could do was not drink but what the future held I was not sure

Anna

I wanted and needed a new way to live my life.

jdooner

At first I wanted to fix my current situation and projected my issues on my wife. Then I slowly began realizing how utterly F"ed" I was with my own addictions. When this began to sink in I no longer wanted to fix the situation and started to realize I needed a new life. I then began to change everything about my life. I would never trade what I now have for anything, which means I guard my sobriety with my life.

PurpleKnight

In the beginning it was a an immediate reaction to what alcohol was doing, but then when alcohol wasn't looking like an option I could go back to, a new way of life, a Sober lifestyle was needed!!

RolyPoly

For me it was the desire to start living my life more fully again. Alcohol had become my best friend and lover. Life is too short to sit on the sofa with a drink in my hand.

IOAA2

I got to appreciate the fact that my way wasn’t working and that the long term approach was needed. My life is not perfect today but the saying “my worst day sober is far superior then my best day in the drinking mode.
This life is not a dress rehearsal for something else.

BE WELL