Living Sober Sucks, But Living Drunk Sucks More.

By Mark Tuschel

Society & Culture Health Philosophy Self-Help

What's Living Sober Sucks, But Living Drunk Sucks More. about?

Audio version of blog articles from Author and Sobriety Coach: Mark Tuschel. Mark presents alternative ideas to make the best out of living clean and sober. Expand your mind, expand your body, learn to enjoy life as a sober person. Discover your own new sober lifestyle.

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Living Sober Sucks, But Living Drunk Sucks More. episodes:

09.27.2016
It still sucks!
Logically, after almost 11 years of complete sobriety this shouldn’t still suck. But many thoughts and emotions aren’t founded on logic. The title may sound a little dark, but I wanted to share this. I hear from a lot of...
09.19.2016
Recovery isn't just for the alcoholic
Most of the attention is usually placed on the person doing the recovering. But the unsung hero is the person or people doing the supporting. The supporter plays an extremely important role in the success of a recovery effort. What’s...
08.16.2016
Good Busy-VS-Bad Busy.
We all lead busy lives, but have you ever thought about the difference between Good Busy and Bad Busy? Many of us invest too much of our valuable time into the act of being Bad Busy. Have a listen to...
07.22.2016
How bad is bad?
Do you need to take a test, fill out a questionnaire or consult a therapist to determine if your drinking behavior is problematic? I don’t think it’s necessary. You may not have a “genuine” heavy drinking problem, but your drinking...
06.29.2016
Is it ever good to lie?
Is it a good idea to lie to someone when they first sober up? Should you tell them that this will be the best thing they ever do or should you tell them, “I don’t know how this will turn...
06.17.2016
There's always a reason to drink.
Your mind is quite capable of finding a reason to drink or do drugs. Temptations exist every day. Temptations aren’t bad, taking action on those temptations is bad. You can’t always control life, but YOU CAN control many temptations from...
05.04.2016
The ultimate power trip!
What is the ultimate power trip for you? Is it driving fast? Being in control of other people? Running a business? I personally feel that the ultimate power trip is self-control, and it’s something you can experience every day, multiple...
04.26.2016
Do you REALLY want what you want?
This is often a curious question to ask yourself. We all want something, but does getting what we want bring about the happiness we so desire? I believe that there are better questions to ask such as, “Why do you...
04.07.2016
What will you do TODAY?
The best way to get you feeling better about yourself is to help someone else. Every day you have opportunities to help other people and doing so will help YOU feel better with your sobriety. A big part of living...
03.03.2016
Are memories real?
Two people can witness the exact same thing but remember it in different ways. Memories change over time. Good memories are what we live for. Bad memories are meant to be avoided. But bad memories can also hold you back....
03.03.2016
Say what you mean.
I believe that people don’t always communicate their message as well as they think they do. Have you ever heard yourself saying, “This idiot just doesn’t get it.” There are a few simple ways to make sure other people understand...
02.13.2016
What does an alcoholic look like?
When people think about what an “alcoholic” looks like, most will visualize the stereotypical bar floozy or unshaven guy sleeping on a park bench or dozing next to a dumpster. But alcoholics come in all different shapes, colors, genders and...
02.13.2016
How much is your time worth?
How much would you pay yourself if you worked for you? Well you are working for YOU when you punch out, log off or leave your workplace for the day. If you were a boss, would you want to pay...
02.13.2016
I just want to quit drinking.
I believe that people don’t really want to quit drinking. What they REALLY WANT are the results of living sober. That’s okay. We all want results without having to do a lot of work. Again, that’s okay. Wanting the most...
10.24.2014
The changing perspective of a non-drinker.
I was emailed a question from someone and they were wondering if my perspective on drinking has changed through my latest years of sobriety. As I was answering this question, I not only realized that my perspective on drinking has...
09.19.2014
What will you do with all the money?
Gains are uncertain, but losses can be counted on. We all participate in some type of loss aversion and loss avoidance practices in our daily lives. When it comes to sobriety, looking at what you can lose might be a...
09.19.2014
The BEST advice ever.
Truly the best words of advice I have ever heard were, “Don’t make the same mistake twice.” This is applicable in business, investing, sports, relationships, life and with sobriety. But all too often this advice is taken too literally and...
09.19.2014
I can’t lose weight for you.
Imagine that you and I go to the gym and your goal is to lose weight, but all you do is sit there and watch ME exercise. Do you honestly believe that you’ll lose weight by just watching me and...
03.05.2014
Is anonymity good, bad or irrelevant?
In this podcast I present more questions than answers. The idea behind being “anonymous” is to allow a person to be open and honest without embarrassment or public exposure. However, anonymity can also lead to dishonesty and poor behavior. Creating...
03.05.2014
What's it worth?
It is often said that you can’t put a value on love, friendship, happiness or sobriety. Why not? If you have no way of establishing or referencing “what it’s worth” you may not value something as highly as you should....
02.26.2014
The difference between Mental Health and mental illness.
How are you helped when you talk about all the bad and wrong things you’ve done as a drunk? There is value in acknowledging your errors, working at restitution where required and stopping bad behavior. I’m a big proponent of...
02.18.2014
Our mental reward system
Biologically our brains are designed to seek rewards and avoid pleasure. I don’t believe you need a degree in neurology or psychology to figure that out. Why do we do anything? To get a reward (pleasure, immediate gratification), or to...
02.18.2014
Every system works 100%
Every recovery system works 100%, until your next drink or use. “Success” statistics can be misleading. The only statistic that really matters is whether it works for YOU. http://LivingSoberSucks.com
02.17.2014
Mac-VS-Windows.
This podcast isn’t about computers; it’s about human operating systems, but there’s an interesting parallel. Mac and Windows computers perform many of the same functions. Either will give us the same outcome, but they do it on completely different operating...
02.12.2014
Familiarity breeds complacency
Familiarity can be dangerous. When you become “too comfortable” with a situation you can become lazy towards it. It happens in relationships, with money, jobs, cars, homes and sobriety. Complacency can result in losing things. Losing a relationship, money, job,...
02.12.2014
I can quit anytime I want to, I just don't want to.
People will always find a way to do something if they really “want to.” When I was a drunk I always found a way to get my hands on beer, booze or dope. I’ve taken that same concentrated tenacity and...
02.05.2014
We're not the same people we once were.
Drunk, stoned or sober, we are not the same person TODAY that we were 5 years ago. Changes take place ever so slowly that we may not notice them. But count on it, you will change. The question is: Will...
02.05.2014
Every excuse in the world!
Making excuses is not exclusive to drunks and drug addicts. Sober people use excuses all the time. There’s a big difference between a reason and an excuse. Learn to think and speak in terms of reasons to get a better...
02.05.2014
What image do you project?
What you pretend to be makes a big difference not only in how others see you and treat you, but how you feel about YOURSELF. Is it ever wise to adapt an image just to please others? You don’t have...
02.05.2014
What you think is sometimes more important than what you do
Actions are supposed to speak louder than words right? But what you think and what goes on in your mind precedes your actions. Thoughts and actions work in collaboration. Sometimes action comes first, sometimes thoughts come first. It’s easy to...
01.22.2014
Brain plasticity
As former drunks/addicts we do have the ability to rebuild our brain. Brain Plasticity is when regions rebuild and other specific regions begin performing tasks outside of their intended purpose. This doesn’t happen automatically—you must actively exercise and challenge your...
01.16.2014
This really sucks. What should I do?
Quite possibly the hardest part of staying sober isn't simply staying sober, the hardest part is accepting some of the harsh realizations about how your own life, relationships and behaviors will change. It isn't that sobriety sucks, it's that living...
01.16.2014
You can't save everyone
As much as we would like to and as hard as we try, the reality is that we can't save everyone from themselves. The only way to save some people from themselves is to lock them in a cage or...
01.16.2014
Discovering Life's Lies (Part 1)
Life is filled with lies but they're not all bad lies. This is Part 1 of a 2-Part podcast. We'll take an honest look at what are the most common lies: Self-deception, mutually agreed upon lies and more. How do...
01.16.2014
What is happiness?
What is “happiness' to you? Do you think you can ever find it? I present some quotes and thoughts on happiness, then ask you to do some thinking on your own. Maybe you don't have any valid reasons to be...
01.16.2014
Discovering Life's Lies (Part 2)
How do handle the lies you're told? How do you handle the lies you tell to yourself? We do have a choice as to how we deal with lies. I present some ideas and ask you to decide for yourself...
12.18.2013
Watch out for advice from "normies."
People want to offer us advice, but some of it, if not a lot of it can be harmful, counterproductive and misguided. They mean well, but norms often think that “all you have to do is quit drinking and everything...
12.11.2013
The mirror that doesn't reflect
It's not easy to see our own true reflection when we're mired in the midst of problems or a dependency. Here's a podcast that may help you see a better and more accurate reflection of yourself. I also offer a...
12.11.2013
We with the best intentions
It's wonderful to talk about all of our grand intentions but do we do anything about them? You're not weak, flawed, defective, lazy or stupid. It's not easy to follow through on our intentions. Here's a podcast that might stimulate...
11.27.2013
Where will you be in 5 years?
Where do you see yourself in 5 years? How will your life be? What will you be doing? Do you think it's farfetched to look that far into your own future? If you don't you very well may end up...
11.16.2013
The "Won't it be great when." delusion.
This is a healthy delusion. Without it an individual has no hope or internal drive. But we need to be realistic about “how great it will be when.”so we are not let down and thus disenchanted with other people, organizations...
11.11.2013
Simple-VS-Easy.
Simple does not mean easy. A lot of problems and dilemmas in life appear tough, but often the answers are simple. The tough part is executing the simple answers. Self-control is simple to understand, but it's not always easy or...
10.29.2013
Getting past a relapse
Having a relapse at drinking (or any other self-destructive habit), rips at the mind and the soul. Once weakened it's easy to continue relapsing. Relapses CAN be avoided, and if you do happen to have one, it CAN be overcome....
10.25.2013
There is NO replacement
There is no EXACT REPLACEMENT for the sensation of getting drunk or high. Trying to find one can lead to disappointment and even greater problems. We often seek exact replacements for things we lose in life (pets, friends, lovers, etc.),...
10.25.2013
8 Year Reflection
In this podcast I reflect on my 8 years of living as a non-drinker. It has been a curious journey with plenty of twists which I never expected---many good, some not so good. I review the good and the bad...
09.03.2013
You CAN make the best out of sobriety. But will you?
Everything doesn't always work out for the best, but you can make the best of how things work out. Will you adapt and evolve to make the best out of your sobriety, or will you sit back and wait for...
08.30.2013
Going Public
Should you go public about your drinking issue or your intentions to not drink? This podcast doesn't give you the answer, it asks you to consider the pros and cons. Going public may help you stick to your word. You...
08.25.2013
Reframing the phrase: "One day at a time."
Does the catchphrase, "One day at a time" limit your forward thinking? Consider reframing the definition and use it as a way to map out your plan. Establish a goal and determine how you will achieve the end goal by...
05.03.2013
Have a glass of extroversion!
Do societal pressures cause some of us to drink? While we CAN'T blame society for why we drink, our personality may have a lot to do with it. It doesn't really matter why you are a certain personality type, it's...
04.22.2013
America's history of booze and bars.
America has a long (and often dark) history with alcohol and bars. This podcast is a brief summary of that history. I also present ideas and pose questions about new ways we can congregate and socialize-without having to go to...

What's Living Sober Sucks, But Living Drunk Sucks More. about?

Download our free app to listen on your phone

Living Sober Sucks, But Living Drunk Sucks More. episodes:

It still sucks!

Recovery isn't just for the alcoholic

Good Busy-VS-Bad Busy.

How bad is bad?

Is it ever good to lie?

There's always a reason to drink.

The ultimate power trip!

Do you REALLY want what you want?

What will you do TODAY?

Are memories real?

Say what you mean.

What does an alcoholic look like?

How much is your time worth?

I just want to quit drinking.

The changing perspective of a non-drinker.

What will you do with all the money?

The BEST advice ever.

I can’t lose weight for you.

Is anonymity good, bad or irrelevant?

What's it worth?

The difference between Mental Health and mental illness.

Our mental reward system

Every system works 100%

Mac-VS-Windows.

Familiarity breeds complacency

I can quit anytime I want to, I just don't want to.

We're not the same people we once were.

Every excuse in the world!

What image do you project?

What you think is sometimes more important than what you do

Brain plasticity

This really sucks. What should I do?

You can't save everyone

Discovering Life's Lies (Part 1)

What is happiness?

Discovering Life's Lies (Part 2)

Watch out for advice from "normies."

The mirror that doesn't reflect

We with the best intentions

Where will you be in 5 years?

The "Won't it be great when." delusion.

Simple-VS-Easy.

Getting past a relapse

There is NO replacement

8 Year Reflection

You CAN make the best out of sobriety. But will you?

Going Public

Reframing the phrase: "One day at a time."

Have a glass of extroversion!

America's history of booze and bars.