Sobriety is boring

**opie1988** · 04-22-11, 11:36 PM

100% agree.

**Bo$$ Bet$** · 04-22-11, 11:40 PM

^yup^ fukk sobriety I been fukked up hmmm many many years now

**iceminers26** · 04-22-11, 11:44 PM

100 percent disagree, been sober for almost 8 months now and although I would have agreed with you in the past, after about a month or so in to being sober I realized life is so much better when living it clean free. You realize all those hours that you spent on drinking, drugs, etc. can be put to use on so many more positive things: family, health, friends, etc.

**chilidog** · 04-22-11, 11:48 PM

Originally posted by iceminers26

100 percent disagree, been sober for almost 8 months now and although I would have agreed with you in the past, after about a month or so in to being sober I realized life is so much better when living it clean free. You realize all those hours that you spent on drinking, drugs, etc. can be put to use on so many more positive things: family, health, friends, etc.

Perhaps you missed the point of my post then? I did say that I was not strictly referring to a drug-induced altered reality. You can meditate and hit it. You can go for a long run and hit. Hit the gym and lift weights and hit it. Have an orgasm and hit it. It's all just dopamine.

**stefan084** · 04-22-11, 11:49 PM

what plant?

**chilidog** · 04-22-11, 11:51 PM

Originally posted by stefan084

what plant?

Practically every medicine that we know of comes from a plant. Aspirin comes from the bark of a tree. Ecstasy comes from the same plant that gives us root beer.

**iceminers26** · 04-22-11, 11:51 PM

Originally posted by chilidog

Perhaps you missed the point of my post then? I did say that I was not strictly referring to a drug-induced altered reality. You can meditate and hit it. You can go for a long run and hit. Hit the gym and lift weights and hit it. Have an orgasm and hit it. It's all just dopamine.

My appologies, should have read initial post in depth. I agree, just take one of your examples, I love the high from a good run, bike, workout, etc.

**stefan084** · 04-22-11, 11:55 PM

Originally posted by chilidog

Practically every medicine that we know of comes from a plant. Aspirin comes from the bark of a tree. Ecstasy comes from the same plant that gives us root beer.

yes i know i was just wondering which one you liked best

**chilidog** · 04-22-11, 11:58 PM

Originally posted by iceminers26

My appologies, should have read initial post in depth. I agree, just take one of your examples, I love the high from a good run, bike, workout, etc.

I completely agree. The runner's high is awesome. I just don't know why we can't feel like that all the time. It's like the downtime between those highs is just boring - once you've experienced those extreme surges of dopamine, the rest just seems like a waste of time.

**Casperwaits** · 04-23-11, 12:01 AM

Sobriety is boring, but constant drunken behavior is a lot worse. Been on both ends of the spectrum. I prefer sobriety.

**minet123** · 04-23-11, 12:03 AM

13th step is the best one

**chilidog** · 04-23-11, 12:03 AM

Originally posted by stefan084

yes i know i was just wondering which one you liked best

Ahh okay. Then my all-time favorite would be a certain type of fungi (ergot) that grows on a certain type of grass (rye).

**iceminers26** · 04-23-11, 12:03 AM

Originally posted by chilidog

I completely agree. The runner's high is awesome. I just don't know why we can't feel like that all the time. It's like the downtime between those highs is just boring - once you've experienced those extreme surges of dopamine, the rest just seems like a waste of time.

I agree, love the high/feeling during and after a good workout than the feeling of eating a good meal following the workout but then after it just fades away and we carry on with normal life. Your points, boredom and such after experiencing such a high, are good reasons why several battle addiction problems (doesn't have to be drug related) because they need that high from everyday boring life.

**chilidog** · 04-23-11, 12:04 AM

Originally posted by Casperwaits

Sobriety is boring, but constant drunken behavior is a lot worse. Been on both ends of the spectrum. I prefer sobriety.

Nobody said anything about constant drunken behavior. Read my post again.

**iceminers26** · 04-23-11, 12:07 AM

I'm pretty sure I'm addicted to running now, I know its not good to be addicted to anything too much but I look at is as being far better than being addicted to booze or drugs.

thx Nader

**chilidog** · 04-23-11, 12:10 AM

Originally posted by iceminers26

I'm pretty sure I'm addicted to running now, I know its not good to be addicted to anything too much but I look at is as being far better than being addicted to booze or drugs.

thx Nader

Yah, I have to admit that I'm addicted to the same thing. I had to give up running though (shin splints and knee problems), but I get the same feeling from cycling and lifting weights. It's just this amazing feeling. I just wonder why we can't feel like that all the time. Hence my original post "sobriety sucks"

**Rod1010** · 04-23-11, 12:11 AM

addicted to squats now.

Running too . Great feeling

**Albert Pujols** · 04-23-11, 12:13 AM

It's because you are dead in sin and need to be made alive in Christ. Harsh but true. I felt the same way not too long ago.

**chilidog** · 04-23-11, 12:18 AM

Originally posted by Albert Pujols

It's because you are dead in sin and need to be made alive in Christ. Harsh but true. I felt the same way not too long ago.

LOL. Okay, let's say that your statement holds merit. Even then, your exuberance in this deity that you speak of causes your brain to release dopamine, the "feel-good" chemical that floods the pleasure/reward center of your brain. So, whether you use Christ, cocaine, running, masturbation, or Frosted Flakes, it's all just dopamine, my man. So, back to my original post...

**Albert Pujols** · 04-23-11, 12:21 AM

Originally posted by chilidog

LOL. Okay, let's say that your statement holds merit. Even then, your exuberance in this deity that you speak of causes your brain to release dopamine, the "feel-good" chemical that floods the pleasure/reward center of your brain. So, whether you use Christ, cocaine, running, masturbation, or Frosted Flakes, it's all just dopamine, my man. So, back to my original post...

No, it's not really the same. I don't "feel" any better but have different perspective on life.

**iceminers26** · 04-23-11, 12:22 AM

Note to self: don't get into any religious wars with Albert Pujols

**Extra Innings** · 04-23-11, 12:23 AM

Originally posted by chilidog

LOL. Okay, let's say that your statement holds merit. Even then, your exuberance in this deity that you speak of causes your brain to release dopamine, the "feel-good" chemical that floods the pleasure/reward center of your brain. So, whether you use Christ, cocaine, running, masturbation, or Frosted Flakes, it's all just dopamine, my man. So, back to my original post...

Well to defend Mr. Pujols, his "addiction" is centered on loving others....the one's you cited are related to "loving" yourself.

**chilidog** · 04-23-11, 12:24 AM

Originally posted by Albert Pujols

No, it's not really the same. I don't "feel" any better but have different perspective on life.

So then you feel worse since giving your life to Christ?

Regardless, your mention of deities is irrelevant to my thread. Head on over to god.com for discussions of such trivial things.

**Casperwaits** · 04-23-11, 12:25 AM

I read the thread. You can get "drunk" off of plants, drugs and or alcohol. I saw the metaphysical question posed in your thread, and I am saying that as boring as sobriety is, it still is a better alternative to running away from reality.

**iceminers26** · 04-23-11, 12:26 AM

Originally posted by Albert Pujols

No, it's not really the same. I don't "feel" any better but have different perspective on life.

I agree with this. For the longest time I blamed God and others because it took me forever to find a real job because I got a DUI in 2007. Didn't matter I had my MBA, volunteered numerous times at H4H and other orgs., etc. once employers ran the criminal check I was done in. I cursed pretty much God and all mankind because we preach second chances and such but it was all BS. Then I finally started thinking positive and gave the man upstairs a chance by going to church a few times, about a month went by of this and then finally I locked down a full time job.

**chilidog** · 04-23-11, 12:26 AM

Originally posted by Extra Innings

Well to defend Mr. Pujols, his "addiction" is centered on loving others....the one's you cited are related to "loving" yourself.

Perhaps, but regardless whom you direct your love to (yourself or others), it will still chemically trigger the release of dopamine. So again, back to my first post ... why can't life always be like this? It doesn't matter what triggers the release of it. Whether it's God, chocolate, laughing like crazy, getting a raise, giving yourself a pat on the back, getting a massage, winning a trip to Costa Rica, whatever it is, the method doesn't matter.

**flyingillini** · 04-23-11, 12:27 AM

You need yayo and Molly to complete your life and be happy.

**Extra Innings** · 04-23-11, 12:28 AM

Originally posted by chilidog

So then you feel worse since giving your life to Christ?

Regardless, your mention of deities is irrelevant to my thread. Head on over to god.com for discussions of such trivial things.

For many and NOT all, getting control over an addiction relates on surrendering many of our narcissistic tendencies. For many, groups like AA promote this transformation. Replacing the bottle or drug with meaningful relationships (often those with God or a "higher power").

**flyingillini** · 04-23-11, 12:31 AM

Originally posted by minet123

13th step is the best one

Minet, bust out the carga!

**chilidog** · 04-23-11, 12:31 AM

Originally posted by Casperwaits

I read the thread. You can get "drunk" off of plants, drugs and or alcohol. I saw the metaphysical question posed in your thread, and I am saying that as boring as sobriety is, it still is a better alternative to running away from reality.

Okay, forget about intoxication. Forget about plants, drugs, and alcohol. Just ignore those. Let's fixate on something else. Let's go with meditation. Or how about a nice relaxing deep-tissue massage. Hell, I don't care what method of delivery that you use to release the dopamine.

Originally posted by iceminers26

I agree with this. For the longest time I blamed God and others because it took me forever to find a real job because I got a DUI in 2007. Didn't matter I had my MBA, volunteered numerous times at H4H and other orgs., etc. once employers ran the criminal check I was done in. I cursed pretty much God and all mankind because we preach second chances and such but it was all BS. Then I finally started thinking positive and gave the man upstairs a chance by going to church a few times, about a month went by of this and then finally I locked down a full time job.

Very awesome that you got everything in check - congrats

**Extra Innings** · 04-23-11, 12:32 AM

Originally posted by chilidog

Perhaps, but regardless whom you direct your love to (yourself or others), it will still chemically trigger the release of dopamine. So again, back to my first post ... why can't life always be like this? It doesn't matter what triggers the release of it. Whether it's God, chocolate, laughing like crazy, getting a raise, giving yourself a pat on the back, getting a massage, winning a trip to Costa Rica, whatever it is, the method doesn't matter.

True. To each their own. I just see drugs and alcohol as a way to attempt to falsely fill in the relational gap that many suffer from (including myself). It's a false way to momentarily say "I got my shit together"....it becomes a problem when you can't function without it.

**chilidog** · 04-23-11, 12:35 AM

Originally posted by flyingillini

You need yayo and Molly to complete your life and be happy.

haha, you're a good man, illini; can't wait to party with yah

Originally posted by Extra Innings

For many and NOT all, getting control over an addiction relates on surrendering many of our narcissistic tendencies. For many, groups like AA promote this transformation. Replacing the bottle or drug with meaningful relationships (often those with God or a "higher power").

I do understand your point, but I'm not really talking about addictions, self-control, religion, relationships, God, etc. Perhaps I worded my thread wrong with 'sobriety is boring', since the conventional definition of sobriety does refer to abstaining from alcohol and other drugs.

**zam77** · 04-23-11, 12:39 AM

Originally posted by iceminers26

I agree with this. For the longest time I blamed God and others because it took me forever to find a real job because I got a DUI in 2007. Didn't matter I had my MBA, volunteered numerous times at H4H and other orgs., etc. once employers ran the criminal check I was done in. I cursed pretty much God and all mankind because we preach second chances and such but it was all BS. Then I finally started thinking positive and gave the man upstairs a chance by going to church a few times, about a month went by of this and then finally I locked down a full time job.

excellent. very very happy for you. you certainly sound as though you deserve this positive outcome. Superb post.

**Extra Innings** · 04-23-11, 12:39 AM

Originally posted by chilidog

haha, you're a good man, illini; can't wait to party with yah

I do understand your point, but I'm not really talking about addictions, self-control, religion, relationships, God, etc. Perhaps I worded my thread wrong with 'sobriety is boring', since the conventional definition of sobriety does refer to abstaining from alcohol and other drugs.

So how does this thread affect me

You want me to bring an elliptical to the fuckin' bash in August?