sobriety

I have always advocated the idea of creation in recovery.  Quality sobriety has very little to do with not drinking, and everything to do with the creative life in recovery.

What do I mean by “creation?”

I’m talking about the need for someone who tries to quit drinking to find meaning in their life again.  Alcoholics love to drink.  They are passionate about getting drunk.  This should come as no surprise to anyone.  So what do you think happens when you take an alcoholic and sober them up?

They are left feeling empty.  The passion is gone from their life.  Drinking might have made them miserable, but they also can remember a time when getting drunk filled them with excitement and passion.  Keep in mind that we have a tendency to remember the good times and not the bad.  So it is easy to romanticize the idea of getting drunk, even if it brought us a ton of misery in the past.  Drinking use to be the thing that “flipped our switch.”

In sobriety we have to find a way to flip that same switch, only without drinking.   We must find a way to live with passion and purpose in our lives.  This is the only way to achieve lasting sobriety.

For example, many recovering alcoholics will find meaning in helping other alcoholics to recover.  This can become a big part of their life and their recovery, and thus it strengthens their own sobriety immeasurably.  It gives meaning to their life again.

How do we get to this point of creation?  It takes time.  We don’t get there overnight.  We have to stop drinking and dry out, start clawing our way through early sobriety and start networking with others in recovery.  This is a process.  We look for support and find others who can help us to learn how to live sober.  Some might use a 12 step program and get a sponsor who can help guide them.  Others might turn to religious leaders and find guidance from them.

Believe it or not the actual specific tactics that you use in order to recover are not that important.  The important thing is that you take action.  Period.

Action is the whole key.  Do something.  Go to a meeting.  Connect with others in recovery.  But take action.  This is the whole key to creating a new life for yourself.  You cannot sit on your couch all day and just wish yourself sober.  You have to get out there and create this new life for yourself.

Create your sobriety.  It is your responsibility to do so.