Joys Found in Sobriety

The New Joys I Find in Life Now that I’m Sober: Recovering Addicts Share Their Stories

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If the last few months or years of your life have been consumed by alcohol or drug abuse, it may seem impossible to imagine giving it up. When so much of the happiness you had was dependent on your habit, is there really a way to lead a satisfying life once you’re sober?

According to the recovering addicts I spoke to, the answer is loud and clear: YES.

Here are the insights a few recent drug rehabilitation graduates shared with me about finding happiness after treatment.

Focusing on the present moment

You don’t have to be an addict to relate to things like dwelling over the past or worrying about the future. But Scott said that his time in rehabilitation at Addiction Campuses’ Mississippi facility taught him to focus on the time that matters most: right here and now.

“I don’t think about tomorrow — it’s of no consequence to me right now. It will be when I wake up, but not right now. And yesterday is history. I’m only focused on today and right now,” he said.

Scott explained the importance of putting things into perspective, especially when it comes to maintaining your sobriety. You may not be able to predict the future, he said, but you can control the current moment:

“I tell some newcomers to take it one hour at a time — you only have to stay clean for this hour. Then, eventually, hours will become days, days will become weeks, and weeks will become months. For me, that’s what works. That’s the program that works for me.”

Realizing there are endless things to be thankful for

For Ryan, it’s about looking at the details. He told me it’s easy to see a bad situation at its surface, but when you dig a little deeper you just might find a gift.

“I look at the little stuff — the small, little positive stuff,” he explained. “Like when my tire blew out today: it’s a blessing that it didn’t blow out before I got onto I-40 driving back to Nashville — I would have really been in trouble. When my tire blew out, I was in my parents’ neighborhood, and was able to get it fixed safely before I got out on the road.”

It’s OK to feel overwhelmed sometimes, and everyone is allowed to have bad days. What’s important is putting everything into perspective: in the end, you probably have a lot to be grateful for, and those are the things worth focusing on.

Finding happiness in helping others

“Being an outlet for people has been my greatest joy in recovery,” said Lincoln, who now commits much of his time to sponsoring others on their journey to sobriety.

There’s a real sense of liberation in taking control of your own life, Lincoln explained, and paying it forward is a rewarding opportunity.

“I love being able to reach out to someone who is struggling and being someone that people reach out to when they want a better life,” he said. “I wasn’t helpful to anyone when I was using, but now having people who rely on me and actually want to hear my opinion is amazing. It’s overwhelming.”

Practice What You Preach

"Pay It Forward." "Actions Speak Louder Than Words." We hear that phrase all the time, throughout the course of our lives, but what does it mean? It means take action and follow through on what you say. Say what you mean, and mean what you say.

I have been living on Mother Earth now for over three decades. Yes, I am still young and have a lot to learn and experience in this life. Here's what I know. The world is full of hatred and greed. Children no longer play outside with their friends. Guns are brought to school. Kids now have to practice terrorism safety in classrooms. I have said for years that there needs to be more kindness and gratitude in the world. So many people are consumed in selfish behaviors that they willingly ignore the quiet pleas of help from their community.

I was driving into work today on the infamous 405 freeway. Currently, for the next few months, the Victory Exit is closed on that freeway, and as a result, Californians can expect traffic delays. As we all know, this is right near the interchange between the 405 and 101 --

-- which is a hell-ish area for many commuters. As I was stopped waiting to exit the freeway, all of a sudden I heard screeching tires, and immediately saw a bunch of smoke. I pulled off to the side of the road immediately, and ran out of my car over towards the scene. An older lady had been hit from behind and the force of the hit pushed her into the tow truck in front of her. I saw smoke slowly billowing from the front of her car and the door frames. I rushed to the passenger door to see if the door would open. The lady was so shaken up, that she couldn't unlock the door. I ran over to the driver's door to open it and get her out of the car. As I am certified in CPR and First Aid, I immediately asked her if she was in any pain, and if she could move. She appeared to move easily, and I got her safely away from her vehicle to the side of the road and assisted her as needed. I then called 911 to get CHP on scene as fast as possible. Once CHP arrived, they advised me that I did not need to be there anymore.

If you say there needs to be more love, respect, and comfort in the world, be that few percentage of people that will reach out to help other people. We are the change for the future. It may take a long time to make a difference, but it takes one person to be that inspiration for other people. I didn't have to stop and be of assistance. I did not need to be of service to another human being. I do however have a busy life with many responsibilities placed upon my shoulders. However, it only takes a minute to decide that you want to help, and be the change that this world needs. So practice what you preach.