Living Sober Sucks, But Living Drunk Sucks More.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years? How will your life be? What will you be doing? Do you think it's farfetched to look that far into your own future? If you don't you very well may end up in the same place you are today or possibly even a worse spot. There are no guarantees of achieving your vision, but without a vision AND a plan of action who knows where you'll be. Looking that far into your future as a non-drinker can be scary---but are you serious about sobriety or not? http://LivingSoberSucks.com

This is a healthy delusion. Without it an individual has no hope or internal drive. But we need to be realistic about "how great it will be when."so we are not let down and thus disenchanted with other people, organizations and our own personal accomplishments. It's an old saying (and it's been said many different ways), but there is much truth to it: "The journey is often better than the destination." Enjoy the journey and the destination will be the reward. In this podcast I ask you to reflect on your own experiences. Which was better, the journey or the destination? Savor the accomplishments and do your best to enjoy the journey. http://LivingSoberSucks.com

Simple does not mean easy. A lot of problems and dilemmas in life appear tough, but often the answers are simple. The tough part is executing the simple answers. Self-control is simple to understand, but it's not always easy or fun. Sobriety and living as a non-drinker follows the same simplicity. As in all of my podcasts, I ask you to reflect on your own life and do some thinking of your own. http://LivingSoberSucks.com

Having a relapse at drinking (or any other self-destructive habit), rips at the mind and the soul. Once weakened it's easy to continue relapsing. Relapses CAN be avoided, and if you do happen to have one, it CAN be overcome. But how do you forgive yourself without giving yourself license to relapse again? If you're serious about living as a non-drinker then you need to do some serious thinking and realistically review and determine what changes YOU need to make. In this podcast I offer some ideas on how to make restitution and what you may need to do to avoid future relapses. WARNING: Strong adult language. http://LivingSoberSucks.com

There is no EXACT REPLACEMENT for the sensation of getting drunk or high. Trying to find one can lead to disappointment and even greater problems. We often seek exact replacements for things we lose in life (pets, friends, lovers, etc.), but that would be like someone else hoping to find an exact replacement of YOU. We also often rationalize our behavior with silly comparison statements such as, "I don't drink whiskey anymore, now I only drink beer." There are NO exact replacements, but you can discover alternatives and replacement activities---but accept that they will be different and enjoy them for what they are. In this podcast I ask you to think on your own. http://LivingSoberSucks.com

In this podcast I reflect on my 8 years of living as a non-drinker. It has been a curious journey with plenty of twists which I never expected---many good, some not so good. I review the good and the bad and pass along observations of what I've learned about making the best out of my sober lifestyle. http://LivingSoberSucks.com

Everything doesn't always work out for the best, but you can make the best of how things work out. Will you adapt and evolve to make the best out of your sobriety, or will you sit back and wait for sobriety to bring you something? In this podcast I don't tell you what steps you should take or what you should do---I give some examples and ask you to think on your own. http://LivingSoberSucks.com

Should you go public about your drinking issue or your intentions to not drink? This podcast doesn't give you the answer, it asks you to consider the pros and cons. Going public may help you stick to your word. You don't have to reveal all of your dirty secrets to the world, but there's nothing wrong with saying, "I want to be healthier. I want to improve my life." In this podcast I don't tell you what steps you should take or what you should do-I give some examples and ask you to think on your own. http://LivingSoberSucks.com

Does the catchphrase, "One day at a time" limit your forward thinking? Consider reframing the definition and use it as a way to map out your plan. Establish a goal and determine how you will achieve the end goal by working at it "one day at a time." I also suggest ways to approach sobriety over shorter periods of time as opposed to overwhelming the mind with "I'll never drink again." http://LivingSoberSucks.com

Do societal pressures cause some of us to drink? While we CAN'T blame society for why we drink, our personality may have a lot to do with it. It doesn't really matter why you are a certain personality type, it's more important to discover what way you are. Regardless of whether you're an introvert or extrovert, learn to be comfortable with who you are. http://LivingSoberSucks.com

America has a long (and often dark) history with alcohol and bars. This podcast is a brief summary of that history. I also present ideas and pose questions about new ways we can congregate and socialize-without having to go to bars. http://LivingSoberSucks.com

This article isn't strictly about substance misuse; it's about trying to have a calmer, more enjoyable experience of living-learning to create happy feelings naturally. So much has changed and evolved in our society and culture, but our brains haven't kept up with the evolution. I get a bit technical with medical and psychology terms, but I explain this in simple words and relatable examples. Learn a few simple activities to help you feel better naturally. Only so much can be covered in a 10 minute podcast. This may be the launch pad for doing deeper research of your own. http://LivingSoberSucks.com

"My right" is an interesting view on sobriety along with my interpretation of a curious psychological phenomenon how "not having" something can obsess our thinking and behavior. http://LivingSoberSucks.com

Sometimes we need to reflect on how our life has changed as a result of being a non-drinker. We often get so busy living a sober life that we neglect to remember what we have done for ourselves. http://LivingSoberSucks.com

Do you need to fill out a questionnaire or see a therapist to determine if you have a substance problem? Do you need confirmation or a title? This podcast will get you thinking and give you some ideas to try. Informative and entertaining. http://LivingSoberSucks.com

Every drinker or former drinker is not an awful person. Alcohol can bring out the worst in some people and this is not an excuse to let someone get away with bad behavior. But too many people feel that there is something wrong with them because they drink, when in reality they simply shouldn't drink. http://LivingSoberSucks.com

It's not always easy being human. It's even easier to let your unconscious emotions direct your behavior. In this podcast I talk about: Doing what you say you will do, avoiding unintended revenge and honor. http://LivingSoberSucks.com

Before you go buy a copy of "The Secret" listen to this podcast. Your outlook and the words you use to describe yourself and your world around you are setting the stage for self-fulfilling prophecies. http://LivingSoberSucks.com

Don't spend your valuable time trying to figure out why you like what you like. Don't apologize for liking the kind of music, clothes or food that you like. If you happen to like something that is destructive or not good for you, then don't do it. Is it as simple as that? It can be. Accepting your own unique personal likes and then deciding what you're going to do about it is a better use of your mental energy. http://LivingSoberSucks.com

You are under NO OBLIGATION to ever tell anyone that you don't drink or why you don't drink. When offered a drink, just say, "No thanks. I'm good." Most people will never even notice that you're not drinking, so don't worry about it. Just go out and be normal. http://LivingSoberSucks.com