Sonic Youth Gossip - sobriety tactics

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sobriety tactics

so yeah, i don't drink/drug/smoke anymore. but i am finding it hard to stay sober sometimes, due to basically loosing an entire year (and my sanity) to drugs and the obscene amounts of said drugs that i consumed.

i am moving to a city soon and can foresee it being really hard when i go out to shows/parties.

what tactics/mental training etc. do you use to help you beat yr addictions? how do you manage to have a social life and not get high? ive found that everyone wants each other to be complicit in thier mediocrity so anyone doing any kind of substance will always try hard (sometimes sub concioussly) to get you to do whatever drugs they do. anyone else notice this?

I don't drink, smoke, do drugs either, and its never really occurred to me that I'm missing out on anything, at least it has never felt that way. I always have a good time whenever I go out. My friends never try to push anything on me, either, so I guess that's a bonus. It's just like being vegetarian or something.

if yr talking about hard drugs, well you just have to stick to it.

if yr talking about booze, I say cool it off for a few months, than gradually incorporate moderate or casual drinking the way non-abusive drinkers drink

if yr talking about weed, get over yourself and toke up.

if yr talking about pills, lame.

and be sure to stay away from these folks

^^^ although well intentioned (I'm sure), all of this is situational.

even tiny monkeys know how to cling.

ps: posting pics of teh_mainline surely isn't going to help.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Danny Himself

same for me

I've never felt "addicted" to anything so I don't know what to tell you. You've probably vomitted from drinking right? Just remember puking and feeling like shit and focus on that instead of the "good times" you have before you black out. I dunno. Alcohol sucks.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ni'k

ive found that everyone wants each other to be complicit in thier mediocrity so anyone doing any kind of substance will always try hard (sometimes sub concioussly) to get you to do whatever drugs they do. anyone else notice this?

pretty much. It's because when you're freaking high/out of it and having a great time, you want to share it with someone.

hopefully in a sober state of mind you can make a choice of what kind of friends you can have around you when you move. You need to be honest with yourself about how strong you will is to say no. If you have the kind of friends who will pressure you, and you think you'll cave.. then maybe its time to let them go for now.
Actively try to find some friends who do not engage in heavy use/use at all of the substaces which are your worst habbits?

It is hard.
the important part is separating IN YOUR HEAD, the enjoyment you get from rock shows with the enjoyment you got from drugs at the rock shows. it is a bitch but once done you will be very capable.

also, if people pressure you then they are fucking assholes, who either do not understand the hell you went through to kick yr habits, or do not CARE. so fuck em.

best of luck.

I do not drink, and have had to deal with the boorishness and the stupidity at rock shows for decades now.
no matter what the liars say, it si very easy to whup up on a drunk.

coincedentally, I'm about to take some X.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nefeli

you have already answered it yourself.
using your brain. thinking that you put in shit to your system, a system you love since its yours. doing mood management. being positive, feeling good about yourself and your friends and having fun- good music usually helps.

its not easy, especially since you have quitted smoking and boozing - good for you btw. i havent and all this is easier for me, because i have stayed away from drugs. i dont "seek" anymore to get very wasted when i go out and i have quitted my daily drinking long time ago.

its difficult because we associate the nights out with all those addictions. with drugs is harder. i have seen people who used drugs, ending up not going out entirely (heavy clubbing). which comes to the fact that changing tactics/habits helps, but why lose all the fun? you will have to work more, but at the end you ll feel so good about yourself. and although it shouldnt matter, others will admire you too.

I completely agree with this. Just keep yourself in a good mood, and if you feel the urge, remind yourself that you're feeling fine as you are, and you're there to enjoy the show.

As my mom always said, you can use "$1.49 Day" as an excuse to drink, so I would advise you to pay attention to the reasons why you feel tempted, and be mindful about these thoughts. It will help you to avoid using excuses like boredom, or emotions.

Quote:

Originally Posted by atsonicpark

I wouldn't neccessarily say it sucks, but I do know that I am a very sober person when it comes to drinking booze. I enjoy drinking....just not as often as most people my age.