“I can’t even put into words how tight-knit a community that we’re a part of.” -Ben
Today, Ben and I will cover the top five unexpected benefits that have come about because of our sobriety. These positive side effects are items that naturally and organically happen through the process of sobriety. But, of course, these come with time and work on ourselves, along with setting goals.
Original Thoughts On Sobriety
Initially, I thought that I would spend 45 days in a sober rehab facility, then go back to Pennsylvania and spend time drinking beer with my buddies. As developments happened over time, I realized that I couldn’t fully comprehend the life I could potentially have for myself. Ben was living in a false reality. From his perspective, every person drank alcohol and did drugs, and that some people have figured out a way to moderate their addiction.
Surrounding Yourself with Other Alcoholic and Drug Addicts
I surrounded myself with alcohol and drug addicts while living an addiction lifestyle. I thought that they were true friends, but I realized everything that we did revolve around alcohol. There wasn’t a gathering that I attended that didn’t consist of massive amounts of alcohol. So when my friends started changing, and I changed friends, my life started moving in the right direction. You can tell who wants to be sober and do the work to get better, and while in treatment, I surrounded myself with that crowd.
What AA and NA Has to Offer
Not only do AA and NA offer drug and alcohol recovery, but they also offer so much more! One of our clients attending AA wasn’t into the work to achieve the 12 steps. In conversation with him, I mentioned the amount of professional networking at meetings, which can potentially build his business. There are many opportunities outside of sobriety when you build trust in relationships during sessions. We encourage our clients to participate and share with others so that the community can get to know them better.
Change of Hobbies with Sobriety
Golfing, bowling, and archery were all activities that I used to participate in while drinking. It took me some time and effort to realize that I could again do these activities without having alcohol involved. Ben had re-tuned his life and activities and is now better at the hobbies that he enjoyed when he was an addict. Not only is his skill set increased, but he enjoys his hobbies much more now that he is sober.
Check out our website where you can download any episode along with helpful information for those in recovery and the families of those in recovery.
Show Notes:
[02:51] Ben’s benefits from sobriety that he didn’t expect.
[05:00] Ben thought that every person was an addict when he was addicted.
[07:50] I talk about how my friends’ circle changed when I became sober.
[11:01] How addicts typically view the AA program when they first get into recovery.
[17:15] Using the sober community to support yourself during recovery.
[18:17] Finding and participating in new hobbies and activities sober.
[21:54] Ben explains how much time he wasted on drugs and alcohol.
[25:32] How I spent all my money before I earned my money.
[30:00] Ben talks about his financial insecurities when he entered sobriety.
[35:12] Hiding alcohol and drugs and learning to cope with reality without the addiction.
[42:38] The importance of filling your spirit when recovering.
Episode Links and Resources
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Rock Recovery Center
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Find out more about Al-Anon and how this resource can support your family
Ideas for a show? Email us tom@realrecoverytalk.com and ben@realrecoverytalk.com
Podcast editing and show notes by Pro Podcast Solutions
308 - What is the job of a sponsor and what is NOT THE JOB of a sponsor...
307 - Amy was on Suboxone for 20 years...UNTIL NOW
306 - PARENTS AND LOVED ONES! This one is for you...
305 - He is lucky to be alive: Tristan tells his story of getting clean and sober at 19 years old
304 - Rod shares this story of getting sober and what it took for him to finally surrender
303 - How the 12 steps can be incorporated in business
302 - What is an Adult child of an alcoholic? Alex shares her experience with working ACOA steps and how it has given her freedom
301 - What holds people back from getting sober? What does the triangle symbolize in AA?
300 - Jordan Meyers: His struggle with mental health; Touring with Warp Tour and his involvement in the music scene
299 - 39 years of continuous sobriety! Reverend Glenn shares his story
298 - Self-Sabotaging our sobriety: Why people do it
297 - Chris relapsed after 8 years: What happened and where he is at now
296 - Addiction and Adolescents: How to treat and what to look for with Chris Martinez and Resilience Recovery
295 - Generation Z are not much drinkers!
294 - Step 12 of Alcoholics Anonymous
293 - When we hear this statement it drives us NUTS!
292 - WHAT IS the ACTUAL job of a sponsor?
291 - BEN IS BACK! How to travel and stay sober at the same time!
290 - My sobriety SUCKS! How to stay motivated...
289 - How to approach someone who is newly sober
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