bringmeback7693

What is the best thing that keeps you sober? Is it reading the Big Book, calling your sponsor, service work, a combination?

For me, fellowshipping is super important. Spending time with fellow alcoholics allows me to connect and have fun in a way I never could with alcohol. And of course, showing up and doing the work.

What is it for you? What is that one piece that you feel like would jeopardize your sobriety if you did not do it?

ScottFromWI

Honesty. First and foremost to myself.

thomas11

I'm with Scott for the most part. My reasons for sobriety are very selfish, I want to be a responsible adult who feels good each and every day and not a sick and embarrassing person.

What is the one thing that would jeopardize my sobriety....my marriage. If I got divorced I'd be in big trouble.

Culture

Remembering that last day 1, never want to go back there.

Hawking22

Fear of the "yets". I miss drinking at times ( I have no idea why) but I am uncaged, ticking time bomb who loves relinquishing control when given the "opportunity" of drinking. I think of all the people that could have been seriously, physically hurt (including myself) and that helps me stave off my AV.

August252015

Acceptance, which starts with the simple fact that I cannot drink and extends to every part of my life.

Gottalife

The jury has been in on this for quite some time. In 1939 when the big book came out they had discovered that “Nothing will so much I sure immunity from drinking as intensive work with other alcoholics” modern research has shown the same thing. Being a sponsor is much more effective in supporting permanent recovery than being sponsored.

This has also been my experience. Been sober a long time and never forego an opportunity to work with a newcomer. I have seen and heard of old timers relapsing. The common theme is that they were not sponsoring.

You gotta give it away to keep it.

lessgravity

Finally growing up. To me it's all about that, even at 41 years old.

August252015

Excellent post as usual Mike. I suppose I would say that this is certainly my global priority now, with the personal need for that acceptance part, probably as a basis for the service part!

I do feel qualified to serve now, if that makes sense.

brighterday1234

Keeping in fit spiritual condition (Step12: continue to practice these principles in all our affairs)

MLD51

For me right now, acceptance and honesty. Acceptance to the core of my being that I'm an alcoholic and can never safely drink again. Honesty with myself and others about everything. And I do mean everything. Honesty frees me in a way I never thought possible.

In the near future, I will consider myself ready to really start giving it away, by sponsoring. I'm still a bit afraid to do it. I do help newcomers whenever I can, and I can tell by doing so that it's the best way to ensure long-term sobriety. It feels right.

adenough1

My son.

HTown

Acceptance that I cannot drink. I do not drink like normal people. It is best to just not have even one as what is point of one?

2ndhandrose

My life re-claimed.

It both keeps me sober and is what I would lose otherwise.

Living my life as authentically as I am capable of is something I need to do daily to reinforce and grow my self.

Anna

For me, it's being quiet with myself and listening to my soul.

january161992

building a relationship with a loving God to solve my problem ...

the real problem is my selfish self- centered fear

fear of losing something i have/ fear of not getting something i demand

The drinking was exactly what the book says it was ... but a symptom

Keto

Staying alive.

For people that say reading a book/sitting in a room with other drunks/people trying to recover..... is that really the reason??
-is it not something 'deeper' than that?

PhoenixJ

Each day I try to be a little better/good/productive than the day B4

DreamCatcher17

A life worth living!

Gerard52

I have used alcohol as my solution to everything my entire adult life. I have used it to relieve boredom, create a sense of occasion, relax, divert attention from negative feelings, it was the quick fix. It has stunted my growth as a person and in many ways I am still a child, but without the wonder of new experiences to come.

It has left me irritable, restless and discontent. I don't like what I see when I look at myself and I don't like how I feel. Involuntary resentment towards others is a daily occurrence and feels horrible, I don't understand where the emotion comes from and hate myself for it. This in turn makes me more irritable and discontent.

I want to be content in life and not be haunted by soul destroying emotions.