What Benifits Have you found from sobriety

I have been clean and sober for almost 4 years now and have found out many benifits to being clean and sober. More than just remembering what happened last night and memory. Can you come up with more that may help those who are just starting in sobriety so they may see what other benifits there are from staying clean and sober? Lets come up with a good list now folks now.

Allan

Here is a list of a few…

#1. When I hit the breaks in my old truck, a bunch of empties don’t roll out from under the seat.

#2. When a cop pulls up behind me on the highway, I don’t break into a cold sweat these days.

#3. When someone knocks at the door, I just open it, I don’t check to see who it is first.

#4. I don’t pick fights with my wife so I can have an excuse to go out drinking anymore.

#5. And the one I never even thought to ask for, My daughters don’t remember their daddy as a fall down drunk. They forgot.

Richard

#6. When someone asks me to do something, I don't think up of some excuse not to.

#7. I don't have to worry about what lies I've told to which people, and keeping those people separated.

#8. I have extra money.

#9. I don't have to wonder which utility might be in jeoprady this month.

#10. I don't seek out drama.

#11. I know a new freedom and a new happiness.

#12. I don't regret the past.

#13. I am serene and peaceful.

#14. I have the ability to share my experience and help others.

#15. I don't feel useless and say poor me all the time.

#16. I'm no longer selfish; I have interest in others.

#17. My entire attitude on life has changed.

#18. I don't fear people and financial issues.

#19. I handle situations with ease and calm.

#20. I realize I can't do it all on my own.

PS-Good topic!

My list starts off with a bunch of what shadow and Rayna posted. Also:

#21. I no longer have to get drunk to have fun; I've found new ways of having fun without a substance controling it.

#22. I'm able to lay my head down at night to go to sleep and not feel guilty over what I had done that day.

#23. I no longer have to feel shame and guilt over what I've done.

#24. I know now that with the help of my Higher Power, I can do all things.

#25. I no longer longer have to hide behind bushes outside in fear people are out to get me.

#26. I'm no longer isolated and feeling alone.

#27. I've started taking classes to get my high school diploma that I never got due to dropping out of school so I could get and stay high.

#28. I now have the ability to forgive myself.

#29. I have clean friends who enjoy the same things I enjoy and can relate to my addiction as I can relate to theirs.

#30. I have complete freedom and am no longer bound by my addiction.

FANTASTIC THREAD!

#31. No more heartburn

#32. No more upset stomach.

#33. No more shakes.

#34. No more headaches.

#35. Shiny hair.

#36. Healthy skin.

#37. Healthy teeth.

#38. No more continuing liver damage.

#39. No more sleeping around.

#40. No more beer bottle gardens in my apartment!!!

Excellent points, Rayna!

#41. No one "meth mites".
#42. No more hang overs.
#43. No more sleeping with people I barely know.
#44. No more waking up in strange places.
#45. No more scrapes, bruises, and cuts from the partying the night before.
#46. No more self loathe.
#47. No more starving myself from the meth.
#48. No more drug dealing.
#49. No longer have to make excuses for my behavior.
#50. Being able to remember what I did the night before instead of having to ask others what I did.

#51. Don't need a 12 pack just to clean.
#52. I take coffee breaks at the computer instead of beer breaks.
#53. I can see things through to completion, instead of doing everything 50%.
#54. No more throwing up because of coughing.
#55. I now pray to a Higher Power instead of Porcelain Throne.
#56. People now think I'm cool because I'm funny and insightful, not because of how many beers I can outdrink them with.
#57. I laugh. For real. With honesty.
#58. I can see the beauty in the desert.
#59. When I lay down, the room doesn't spin.
#60. When I wake up, I don't need to countdown until my first beer of the day.

Amen to that, Rayna!

#61. No more drinking myself to sleep with my ol' bestfriend Jagermeister.

#62. No more owing money to people.

#63. No more hiding out or having to look over my shoulder afraid someone is going to kill me.

#64. No more withdrawals from going even two days without meth/crack/booze.

#65. No more lieing to myself. I AM an addict and I DO need my Higher Power and support from my groups to help me.

#66. "Insanity is doing the same thing over and over expecting different results.", I no longer have that insanity in my life.

WOW, what a list all. I hope this may help some who are just starting out and give them some hope and encouragment to keep moving forward. Thanks alot all of you for all of this. This is reaching out to others and you didnt even realize it. Planting the seed.

allan

Thanks for the topic Allan. Helping us achieve our primary purpose. Excellent thread!

Agree with Rayna, this is the best help thread so far in here. Thank you for posting it and allowing us to reach out to our fellow addicts. This is certainly planting that seed! Part of sobriety is reaching out to those still suffering without jeprodizing our own recovery... I believe this thread has done that. Great topic!

I was so afraid this thread would be lost in the maintenance!!! Whew!