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As a recovering alcoholic I'm incredibly grateful to have built a toolkit to stay sober. Getting sober is a nightmare in the best of times. People in AA – which

As a recovering alcoholic I'm incredibly grateful to have built a toolkit to stay sober. Getting sober is a nightmare in the best of times. People in AA – which I haven't attended regularly for a few years – talk about being a "grateful alchoholic". It bothered when I heard that. I just wanted to have some bourbon and not put myself and others at risk. But over time I realized that they're grateful because getting sober forced them to deal with life in healthier ways. Or to deal with it at all. While I don't think all of people that are overdosing are "addicts" per se, I know many non-addicts that don't deal well with life that great. Sure, they're fine when everything is going pretty well, but they fall down when the going gets tough. I feel for people. I've never felt despair or shame like I did when I hit bottom. Much luck and love to everyone out there. Life gets difficult, and sometimes it gets really, really difficult. Lean on people if you can, anyone that you can. Find a community if you can, online or not. I know this advice rings hollow when people are worried about putting food on the table or keeping a roof over their head or just trying to stay safe. But you can do this. Don't worry about thriving, just survive. Sorry, for the rambling, this just really hit home.

wmeredith 6y ago
What’s in your “stay sober toolkit” if you don’t mind sharing?
- g0rbongler 6y ago
  I'm not op but here's a sampling of a toolkit that's worked well for me. The 3 dimensions of sobriety are about BODY, MIND, and SPIRIT. A) PHYSICAL SOBRIETY 1. Go to AA/12-step meetings daily. 90 meetings in 90 days is a great first start. It's easy, free, all you have to do is show up. Get a sponsor, work the steps. It's the largest community of people who all never wanted to be there either. 2. EXERCISE! Can't stress this enough. Nature's free & sober fountain of endorphins. Aim for 3x/week+. Invest in a trainer at the beginning to help with motivation. Probably one of my most valued practices, critical for my sobriety. B) MENTAL SOBRIETY 1. Therapy - 12 step meetings / groups are great, but it really works well when combined with an individual therapist. You realize there are loops of thought in your mind that can fester into relapses, and finding out how to articulate these feelings to a professional allows you to snip them. 2. Work - Start slowly, don't jump back into a career that's too demanding or stressful, but I found it important to be intellectually stimulated and constructive with my time. C) SPIRITUAL SOBRIETY 1. Meditate! I strongly recommend Vipassana-style meditation. There are free, donation-based 10-day programs that are intense, but immersive. 2. Volunteer. Giving back to the community lightens your soul and spirit. Helping others helps you appreciate all the beauty in your own life. Feel free to try any of the practices above or discover your own!
  - magicnubs 6y ago
    How many people can afford a personal trainer and a therapist while not having a job?
    - g0rbongler 6y ago
      it's a good question, only a few are so fortunate, i imagine

wmeredith 6y ago

What’s in your “stay sober toolkit” if you don’t mind sharing?

g0rbongler 6y ago
I'm not op but here's a sampling of a toolkit that's worked well for me. The 3 dimensions of sobriety are about BODY, MIND, and SPIRIT. A) PHYSICAL SOBRIETY 1. Go to AA/12-step meetings daily. 90 meetings in 90 days is a great first start. It's easy, free, all you have to do is show up. Get a sponsor, work the steps. It's the largest community of people who all never wanted to be there either. 2. EXERCISE! Can't stress this enough. Nature's free & sober fountain of endorphins. Aim for 3x/week+. Invest in a trainer at the beginning to help with motivation. Probably one of my most valued practices, critical for my sobriety. B) MENTAL SOBRIETY 1. Therapy - 12 step meetings / groups are great, but it really works well when combined with an individual therapist. You realize there are loops of thought in your mind that can fester into relapses, and finding out how to articulate these feelings to a professional allows you to snip them. 2. Work - Start slowly, don't jump back into a career that's too demanding or stressful, but I found it important to be intellectually stimulated and constructive with my time. C) SPIRITUAL SOBRIETY 1. Meditate! I strongly recommend Vipassana-style meditation. There are free, donation-based 10-day programs that are intense, but immersive. 2. Volunteer. Giving back to the community lightens your soul and spirit. Helping others helps you appreciate all the beauty in your own life. Feel free to try any of the practices above or discover your own!
- magicnubs 6y ago
  How many people can afford a personal trainer and a therapist while not having a job?
  - g0rbongler 6y ago
    it's a good question, only a few are so fortunate, i imagine