Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

bif

(24,002 posts)
Thu May 13, 2021, 10:20 AM May 2021

What are the plusses of being sober for you?

Lately, I've been grateful waking up knowing I didn't embarrass myself in front of my wife and kids. Plus, since I was an evening drinker, I'm actually enjoying my nights watching movies (and remembering them), and reading.

You?

8 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
What are the plusses of being sober for you? (Original Post) bif May 2021 OP
Never could drink because my hangovers last three days. LakeArenal May 2021 #1
Money in the bank. tazkcmo May 2021 #2
Being able to live. stevil May 2021 #3
I am Timewas May 2021 #4
Sometimes I forget this one..."I am alive"....This is of extreme importance!!!! Stuart G Jun 2021 #8
Being able to feel. DEbluedude May 2021 #5
Not waking up sick -- those headaches! Ugh. Lettuce Be May 2021 #6
Being Able To Love Life, One Day at A Time...(not always all day or everyday) but, Stuart G May 2021 #7

stevil

(1,537 posts)
3. Being able to live.
Thu May 13, 2021, 10:37 AM
May 2021

Everything is enhanced. Used to be like I've been living in a cloud most of my (drinking) life. I've left that behind. I deal with problems instead of ignoring them.

Stuart G

(38,726 posts)
8. Sometimes I forget this one..."I am alive"....This is of extreme importance!!!!
Sun Jun 6, 2021, 09:51 PM
Jun 2021

...I have had all kinds of surgeries and illnesses. I've been there and done that. You name it,
and I have had it or something similar....Here is the point....................................................
...................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................

I am alive and reasonably healthy is incredible...I can walk up the stairs of my townhouse, cook my
own meals, have enough money to pay for food and other stuff, I can drive a car which I own,
and can turn on the computer and see what is happening in the world and Democratic Underground.
I grew up in Chicago and finished college in 68, watched ..the original ..."Star Trek" on a black & white 10 inch TV after I went on my own into the world...

....The computers and the hand held talking phones (Beam Me Up Scotty)...were all science fiction..
Once I took a class on early use of computers when they took up a whole room...and the teacher said
that one day the computers would be small enough to hold in your hand and cheap enough for anyone
to buy and own, (It was the late 70s or early 80s)....I thought the teacher was totally nuts...

...What matters is this: I am alive and well enough to read the news on the computer, walk up and down the stairs of my home, can call my friends & family, and go out for a 20 minute walk outside with no trouble....I try to remind myself of that each and every day...Often I forget this lesson, and obsess about politics, money, the weather, the electric bill, am I going to buy a new computer or car and so on, and on, & on, & on......

....REPEAT.....I AM ALIVE AND REASONABLY HEALTHY. I CAN WALK UP & DOWN THE STAIRS IN MY HOME, CAN USE THE COMPUTER, CALL FRIENDS AND FAMILY..GO HERE AND THERE, AND GO OUTSIDE AND TAKE A 20 MINUTE WALK IN THE NEIGBORHOOD...

Lettuce Be

(2,339 posts)
6. Not waking up sick -- those headaches! Ugh.
Thu May 13, 2021, 11:30 AM
May 2021

I used to spend so much of my time sick in bed, it was ridiculous. Finally stopped drinking when I decided to quit "for a few days" and ended up sick for six weeks. My friend who has lapsed three times thinks I'm a weird miracle for quitting once and never considering returning but that was Hell and I'm not going back.

Stuart G

(38,726 posts)
7. Being Able To Love Life, One Day at A Time...(not always all day or everyday) but,
Tue May 18, 2021, 06:02 PM
May 2021

I feel much better sober than when I was using...Bad days and good days flow together. .I have been
given an attitude of gratitude, but sometimes I reject that, even when things are working out. That
attitude of gratitude is something that I have to work on each day. I wish working on my attitude
was easy, but it isn't. That is why there are programs out there to help us......

...Think about this idea:.. If it were ....easy,..then we would all be OK, and have no worries about
going back out there..............Keeping this attitude of gratitude....IS NOT EASY!!!!!.
..............................................How do I know?............................................................

...I've been working on this "Attitude of Gratitude" ..for more than 50 years, believe me, .............

...........IT IS NOT EASY!!! ....If it were ...EASY...then,...it would be EASY....and ..................

....................... I would be not writing these words......It is NOT EASY!!!!!.............

Latest Discussions»Support Forums»Addiction & Recovery»What are the plusses of b...