Hello, new here but sober many years…anybody want to talk about lifes ongoing challenges after we no longer struggle with drugs and alcohol…Rick
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Welcome to the community 
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Me too! Welcome
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Well I’ll share I had hard time dealing with life on life terms n feelings that’s big reason I drink n used to was to numb feelings I had lot deaths since getting clean n sobor n lost lot good friends to addiction ect plus I had to learn to Handel people an their ways of doing things also had to learn to change my way of thinking had to work be responsible ect it was all new for me cause I’ve been drunk or high or both since I was 6 years old my parents worked alot was never home so I done whatever I wanted so I had lot changing to do n learn to deal with
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Wow thats such a young age to start! Massive congrats to you on your sobriety and clean time. Yep, I agree, learning to deal and cope with people and life on life’s terms can be tough. Sobriety doesnt make life smooth sailing but overall its alot more manageable. Knowing I’ve gotten through each day sober is a proud feeling and its such a relief to know I’ll wake up hangover free and present the next day.
@Fomoco69 after 3 years i still occassionally wistfully wish I could end a hard day with a few drinks like other people do and it took a long time to outgrow that resentment and acceptance. It was also a tough lesson to learn that once I got sober, life wouldn’t magically turn out perfect 
but it feels good knowing I’ve built up a lot of healthier coping skills!!
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Yeah I know my grandparents owned a gastation garage n store so I had all the beer n cigs I wanted free just sneeked them out I was always into something as a kid
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Good stuff Trent…I started drinking & getting high in high school 1974 but not every day , I was more of a periodic , I continued this behavior until 1991 when I had done enough damage to mysrlf & others & I knew something had to change before I ended up dead or in prison…I felt guilty & ashamed, and I was unreliable, un predictable & Imature …enough was enough & I was willing to do whatever it took to get clean & sober once & for all & start acting my age…31 years old then Im 63 now…and still attend AA meetings online & In person…I need a regular attitude adjustment & perception reality check…and reminder I am powerless over other people & try to practice acceptance , tolerance & underdtanding…since I was able to walk away from drugs & alcohol many years ago, I have been regularly tempted to spend & waste money on things I dont need like cars , stereo gear, etc…but am able to catch myself pretty quickly & correct my behavior & return to keeping it simple & cheap & being grateful…I have all I need, a decent steady job, sobriety, health, friends & family that respect & trust me & admire how I did what it took but payed a huge price for my sobriety & to clean up my act as I continue to grow & change…and try not to beat myself up too much for being human & being vulnerable to stinky thinking & temptation… .I guess I have quality problems these days…hang in there young man…your on the right track…AA works
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Agreed…better to start young…no good reason to poison our bodies & minds…drugs / alcohol is not the answer to lifes problems & AA , faith & sobriety are a much better option
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Hey man i can relate to your post…Thanks for sharing
I will n thank you you have given me some insight hope strength that’s what we do AA family
So, @Fomoco69 is it ok to ask if you have any challenges you’re dealing with at the moment? How has life been treating you lately Rick?
The main challenge right now is trying to be smart with my money , stay out of debt & save for retirement…while enjoying life…going back to Montana flyfishing again in October…, my life is good as long as I keep up with my spiritual program & embrace an attitude of gratitude…
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All very worthy goals and life defintely deserves to be lived and enjoyed.
I find gratitude so important. Gratitude for my sobriety and all that comes along with it, sometimes I need to remind myself of how much I have to be grateful for. For me, complacency is dangerous - I’ve learnt that the hard way once before, but if I remain grateful then complacency stays at bay. They go very much hand in hand.
Flyfishing in Montana sounds great, i bet the scenery out there would be stunning, enjoy!!!
Thanks for the confirmation & reminder, it might be one of the last times I go up there we will see, but I really enjoy thr friendly people , scenery , wild life & fishing…its like nodthern California was 50 - 75 years ago …Im originally from Michigan …which is where I may end up some day…Ive also been lucky enough to visit & fish in Alaska, a few times…
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The pictures & memories put a smile on my face…its also cool to attend an AA meeting in new towns…
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