I am certain nobody will read this but i felt compelled to write it for myself and post it anyways. Let me preface this by saying i in no way judge those who continue to use recreational drugs for any reason whatsoever. In fact i know a few people myself who drink, smoke pot, or take mind altering substances with seemingly no ill affects beyond the actual intoxication. Like everything in life it comes down to choices and what works for one person may not work for others. This is certainly not limited to drug use and can apply to basically anything in life really.
A few days ago was my 18th month sober From various substances which i won't list for the sake of not glorifying it. Things have changed so much and at the same time not at all. The thing is i still get high. That may sound weird but life is about getting high really. Don't believe me? well just remember the next time you eat, smoke a cig, have sex, smell something you enjoy, listen to a song, exercise, or basically anything that makes you feel good.....congratulations you just got high. I could bore you with all sorts of information about the chemicals in the brain and details as to why it's true but lets move on.
The thing about being clean and sober is i had to find something to replace my drug use because there was a reason i used drugs. Initially it was because they felt amazing but it ended up turning into something different entirely. The reason for use became avoidance. From something as simple as avoiding responsibilities to worrying about bills to basically avoiding feeling any emotion i didn't enjoy at the time. Once sober a wave of emotions i had left unfinished over many years washed over me and i had to wade through them all, only this time i was much more weak in the mind and spirit from all the substance abuse. Needless to say this was a daunting task and very....VERY painful. The suffering isn't important in detail as long as you can grasp that it was intense is sufficient. However it taught me many important lessons. The number one lesson was that suffering itself is perhaps life's greatest teacher. Winding my way down the dark paths of self loathing and regret, to guilt and shame...and even to physical discomfort i could not escape, shattered the illusion of me being...well...so important. I cannot emphasize enough the importance of breaking through the illusion of the ego in this lifetime even if only for a brief few seconds. The effect it had on my life was instantly profound and wonderful all in the same dizzying moment.
Suffering allowed me a chance to truly appreciate the pain of others. It is through this moment(or perhaps many moments) i was allowed to grow an essential part of me that i had skipped over. Empathy, sympathy and true joy in the accomplishments of others. Today i see so many people caught up in themselves and it makes me sad. The real jail sentence of selfishness is never knowing the endless depth of joy you can have once you care for others as much as you care for yourself. Which leads me back to my original point(sobriety obviously has not helped my attention span!) My new drug of choice, my new "high" has been the pursuit of helping others. From something as trivial as advice, or time in the day set aside for the worries of somebody else. To something as intense as helping somebody cope with the loss of a loved one. This is a truly endless source of happiness and the best part is it's free and available to everyone. Needless to say i have gone off on a rant i actually didn't intend to but i hope anyone who stumbles across this can walk away from it with a renewed sense of hope for whatever they happen to be struggling with today, and i am so proud of myself i had to brag somewhere. Remember to take time for somebody today. Listen with your whole heart, open your mind to the others around you. Life is so much better when we are all connected instead of holding each other at a distance. Don't lose track of others in your mad pursuit to get more, have more, be more. There is no winners in this race, only people. and each and every one of them matters just as much as you do.
much love to you all and may your engrams always be purple friend =)™
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P.S. Yes video games(even destiny) are just as amazing, if not more amazing, sober lol
(Edit: Wow thanks for all the uplifting comments and things. I love that i ranted in some totally random place and total strangers took time out of their day to say something positive, it really means lots)
(Edit 2: jeez....so many people responded im really just overwhelmed. Remember to do something amazing and nice for somebody today, that was supposed to be the real message behind my post and i really hope it shines through rather than just going on about sobriety)
(Edit 3: It seems a few people are sort of worked up that this is in the #destiny section on a forum about a video game. All i can say is i really did think this was going to just be a post that got buried in thousands of others and made it sort of for myself. I spend a little time each day checking these forums for things about the game and felt compelled to write this out. With all the negative things i see littering these forums it actually seems sort of perfect that something totally positive would make a small mark here so i'm glad it did)
English
#Offtopic
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sadly i can't edit this post anymore because a mod is preventing me from doing so...thanks to everyone for the uplifting comments and congrats to all for your time in recovery =)™
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You don't need to justify yourself to any if the trolls brother. I just passed my 3 year mark in September, one day at a time brother. Congrats on your 18 months.
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did u celerberate with tha b00z?
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#saveofftopic
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It's hard to explain. But video games helped me get sober myself. Congrats on 18 months. You can make it to 19 months and beyond. Best of luck to you and everyone else.
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Congratulations. 3 years tee total for me. Well done for posting this. Men don't talk about things like this enough. Respect...
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I thought giving up Red Bull was hard. Huge props to you, keep it up!
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Congrats man, but your story loses meaning to me as long as you say "Let me preface this by saying i in no way judge those who continue to use recreational drugs for any reason whatsoever. " This is almost like saying, meh it's ok if others use the stuff but at least I over came it. Either way congrats. Drugs destroy lives.
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Congratulations on one of the bravest things you could've done! "It's better to light a candle than curse the darkness"
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Congrats man! :D Very inspiring words to those who need help getting through these types of trials. Keep it up and continue living a beautiful life!
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6 yrs clean for me. I do smoke pot though but that never was and still is not a problem for me. I was on very physically addictive substances that almost killed me more than once and I thank God and my family and most of all myself for having the will to get through it and stay clean. And for anybody who says "but you smoke pot, that's bad", sadly, you have no idea what you're talking about. I control my own life now and I smoke when i feel like it. I no longer am bound by any substances and life is oh so much better. I can go on vacation now (couldn't do this while addicted because you need your daily dope) and I can live my life the way I choose, not bound by any addictions. Props for writing g this positive message and keep it up man. As time goes by, it's all just a part of your past that makes you a stronger person than those who have never hit rock bottom and recovered from it. I love my life now and I'm lucky to be alive. I help others he never I can as well because my past has made me more compassionate for others going through rough times.
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Almost 3 years clean here i know its not easy not much else to say its a journey and its one for the better keep walking it.
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congrats bro !!!!
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OP: Way to go! Stay strong.
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Congratulations on your amazing accomplishment. I will be celebrating 14 months of sobriety on the 1st. Keep up the good work.
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3 and a half years sober. Keep up the good fight.
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Congratulations. I counsel teens with addictions so I understand how great your accomplishment is!
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Congrats sir or ma'am. I have over 2yrs myself and believe toy can stay sober too for a lot longer :)
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Going on 14 months myself good show brother
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Almost 7 months sober here. Good on ya man. Best way to be!
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Bro I had 8 months on the 19th!
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Congrats
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I seriously cried a little reading this. Kudos to you man. Thanks you for choosing to be vulnerable and sharing your experience. I'm also struggling with an addiction and your words really spoke to me. Thank you so much!
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CHEERS MATE!
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Way to go man. The decision to go sober is difficult. Staying sober is a constant battle. You have my admiration. Stay strong. If you ever feel yourself slipping, please don't hesitate to hit me up. IR0NH1DE87