September 13

When we get sober and feel successful in putting down our most egregious vices, we start taking a hard look at ourselves and think, “I can stop the ice cream. I can stop the caffeine. I can certainly stop those harmful cigarettes. And all the porn. All that porn! So much porn!” (Well, some of us, anyway.) It’s easy to think that we can approach these things, too. And why not! With our recent success at other things, these less harmful things should be easy enough. But don’t get too ahead of yourself. According to the American Medical Association, “Although approximately 30% to 50% of US smokers make a quit attempt in any given year, success rates are low, with only 7.5% managing to succeed.”* And the success rate, according to the NIH, for alcohol is around 18% for those who seek treatment.** So, with that in mind, let’s have a nice dose of reality before we attempt those “other things.” Let’s put out one dumpster fire out at a time, and let’s walk before we run.

Reflections

Are you taking on too much? Are you expecting too much from yourself now that you have some sobriety?

Daily Challenge

Read up on those “other things” that are troubling you. You might find some allies in that fight as well.

*https://jamanetwork.com/

**https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/