I don’t want to quit drinking or using

Don’t feel bad if you like being high and drinking.  Most people feel this way at some point in their journey, and you should not condemn yourself if you are experiencing these feelings. Instead, try acknowledging your feelings and being kind to yourself.

At the same time, it’s important to reflect on your drinking and substance use from time to time. This can help you put things into perspective, making sure you are having fun and not letting yourself spiral into addiction.

Reflecting on your drinking and/or using

It’s easy to let things get out of control if you use drugs or drink frequently. So it’s important to stop and reflect on your using and drinking to make sure that it’s not impacting your life, school or work and your relationships. A few questions you can ask yourself that might put things into perspective are as follows:

• Why do you like being high?  Some people like being high and/or drunk simply because it activates the feel-good receptors in their brain, while others like to be high/drunk because they are hiding from a stressful or traumatic event in their past or present.
• Is your use really helping you to accomplish what you want? Substance use can make it difficult to get what you really need and/or want out of life. For example, if you’re using, it may be hard to keep a job. You may be constantly late to work because you’re oversleeping due to drinking or using the night before. You might also have trouble concentrating and completing tasks, especially if there are still drugs in your system. These work issues can lead to unemployment, financial stress, and feelings of frustration and disappointment with yourself.
• How can you tell when you have had enough? Do you get carried away with your substance use and/or alcohol use and have a hard time “doing life”? Do you find yourself drinking or using more than you intended to? Does this lead to other issues—for example, not being able to drive home after a night of drinking, affecting how you treat others, legal issues, or feeling unsafe? If your drinking/drug use leads to negative consequences, you may want to consider making some changes.
• What is your definition of fun? Does your definition always include using and/or getting drunk? Are there sober activities or hobbies that are also fun for you? Are you glorifying substance use and/or alcohol use?  Sure, it’s fun, but is it what you live for?
• Are you using/drinking all the time?  Do you find that you need to use or drink to start your day, function, or deal with other people? Are the consequences mostly negative or positive in your life journey?

Thinking about these questions can help you realize the effects that substance use and/or alcohol use have on your work, education, relationships, mental well-being and life. Making an informed decision to care for yourself and to be aware is part of the recovery journey that leads to self-discovery.

Thinking about the future

When someone has something they look forward to, they can focus on planning for the future they want. Life will inevitably throw in some challenges, but it’s okay to work on accomplishing what you really need and want in life.

You may be told you are selfish because you are caring for yourself and trying to create a life for yourself. The people you used to drink with may not like or understand that you’re taking a different path, and that’s okay. Find community in people who encourage you and support your recovery.

Sobriety comes with gifts.  They may be hard to come by if you are not in that state of mind, such as sustainable money, a car, a house, and maybe even, if you so decide, a family. You can have fun sober. It will take some time to get used to it, but if you keep things positive and do your best to take care of yourself you will have a good life.