Hey guys, I am 9 days alcohol free, and it has been going pretty well. I decided to try this out because I am a touring musician and every single time I drink I go overboard and it has become problematic. In my industry alcohol is literally everywhere, sometimes it is our paycheck LOL. I don’t want it to be a part of my life but I need to be able to be around it. My roommate wants to go out tonight to this festival outside and I’ve got that feeling “maybe I could just have one or two”, and I know that I am not capable of that. I want to go to the festival though. I really want to stick with this. Social situations are my biggest trigger. I feel like I am missing out. Also, I’m a 26-year-old musician so I really don’t know many people to talk to about this.
I think @HoofHearted does performing (not sure if it’s touring but he definitely does shows), and I’m sure there are others.
You are not alone. It is possible to be a healthy, sober, interesting, inventive professional musician 
Even Motley Crüe realized a few things, well more so, Nikki Six
Congrats on being 9 days sober. That’s amazing. I’d go to the festival and bring your own NA drinks. Hopefully you had a good time without any drinks.
I did! I had a great time 
@Matt is correct, I do perform at local festivals during summer months. In my youth, I played the role of rockstar, performing for the bar tab. Been there, done that.
It’s totally possible to be a sober musician/artist, many already do it and have been successful.
Don’t ever let the idea that alcohol is what the industry or culture is all about, that’s not enough to justify self destruction.
I hope your sober journey is a long one! Hang out here, let us go one this crazy journey together!
Yep, that’s a tricky issue to navigate in sobriety. It would be so much easier if alcohol just vanished from the earth. But it is very doable, it just takes time and a solid foundation. Read around this place and look for the ways people have built up their foundations.
How you doing today?
Aw thanks so much!! it’s weird and almost emotional when I think about cutting it out of my life. (I know it’s definitely a good choice for me.) I’ve just had so many good times while drinking and on the road. Also, there’s the creative aspect of it. Kind of makes me feel creative sometimes ya know? I know there are ways around that and alternatives like pair writing with morning coffee instead, it’s just an adjustment. Thanks for responding. I’m glad you can relate!
Thank you! This weekend was pretty good. I went out and had a wonderful time without it. It’s definitely heavy on my mind, though, and it almost feels obsessive, talking myself out of it all the time.
I feel you on all that. I was an emotional wreck when I quit drinking, sitting there asking myself, now what? I went through a mourning period, as I think a lot of people do.
I felt drugs and alcohol gave me that creative edge, but you know, some of the best songs I wrote happened after getting sober. My writing became cohesive and deliberate. It took a while, but one day, something clicked and felt like my brain was an antenna receiving a flow of creative energy all around me. Almost magical.
I’m sure you’ll tap into that creative force.too!
Thank you for all of that! Very helpful