Do you suppose...
 

That a crucial key to sobriety is inner-peace? I hope this doesn't sound too pollyannish, but I found that once I settled some internal issues and found a modicum of peace that drinking really wasn't all that I thought it was.

What do you think? Is inner peace a requirement for sobriety or is it a result of sobriety?

For me, it was a result of sobriety. I think that lack of inner peace was one of the driving forces that brought me to the edge and to say "Enough, enough, enough".

It wasn't until I stopped that I finally experienced 'inner peace'.

Inner piece and sobriety are both results of how I live each day. If I make poor decisions I lose my inner peace, if I keepp making poor decisions the lack of inner peace may cost me my sobriety.

I would agree, in a constant state of alcoholism, there is no inner peace. Only chaos.

For me.... increasing inner peace is an outcome of sobriety, not a requirement for it.

So much more peaceful sober! Life still has it's trials though. Now I'm in a better state of mind to deal with them :)

I think it is both a requirement for continued sobriety, but it also is a direct result. When I reached my point where I gave up and knew I had to quit I had VERY little inner peace, I was miserable.

I feel the peace now even though it is fleeting sometimes, but those moments where I am in it are completely worth it.

I believe that getting sober can be a step toward inner peace. But it also needs to be worked on in all other areas of life. I don't believe that all the people I see walking around every day who have never had a drinking or drugging problem are perfectly at peace with themselves. Maybe some are, others not so much. Sobriety can be just one of many stepping stones. I don't expect that just being sober will transform me into a self-actualized peace machine. I just know that as long as we continue to turn to the drink for answers our journey toward peace will be slowed, stopped, or even back-tracked.

When we give up our substance addictions we free ourselves up to look for other more positive ways to bring peace into our lives. Or something like that. :)

I think seeking the one will directly bring you to the other.

The only requirement for sobriety is not drinking.

Now happy sobriety - that's a different issue...

Acceptance helped me find inner peace Art

Inner peace came to me as a result of my recovery work and opening myself up spiritually.

I don't very long sober but the bit of peace I am starting to feel sure is a great alternative to the impending doom and obsessive thinking.

I'm about as mellow as I can be these days

I am pretty sure inner peace can be one helpful tool in recovery. I believe for myself inner peace is becoming more of a reality now that I AM sober though. I am pretty sure the drinking was a major cause of not having inner peace along with a long list of other problems.

Drinking was the bad, abusive and unhealthy girlfriend I was in a relationship with that I should have gotten out of way sooner. I always had a reason of how I could make it work, moderation, counting drinks. Pretty much that was all a big waste of time which caused me more pain.

FreeOwl and the Captain both expressed what I feel in sobriety. In some ways I feel like I must be a completely different person because I'm so zenned out these days. But I'm not different, I'm finally who I was meant to be.

For me the greatest gift of sobriety is inner peace.

There it is.....

:)

We use up a lot of moments looking for it in nightclubs, snorting lines, drinking overpriced bubbly wine or beer, but we are momentary looking for it none the less. It is not easy to find the inner peace that exists in when you are substance with things. To be satisfied you have to admit one sober Truth about life – it is your behavior toward life which speaks how happy you are. I also think each milestone you reach of your sobriety gives an inner peace that helps you follow a sober life.

I believe I had inner peace at one point in my younger life. I lost it in part because of life circumstances and most importantly because of my active addiction. I found it once I accepted that I couldn't drink or drug. I think I would like to keep it now :)