7 Things That People in Recovery Do That Normies Would Find Weird

Photo Credit: www.wifflegif.com

Being in recovery, we live our lives a little bit differently than the normal every-day folks. There are a lot of common things that we do that ‘normies’ would consider bizarre. So here are 7 things that people in recovery do that normies would find weird.

7 Things That People in Recovery Do That Normies Would Find Weird:

1. Saying “Thanks for Sharing” After Someone Finishes Telling a Story

Photo Credit: www.wifflegif.com

This is a typical thing to say to people when they are done sharing in a meeting; but in normie life when someone is done telling a story it isn’t common to say “thanks for sharing.” I’ve said this jokingly to a normie before, trust me they won’t understand the reference.

2. Keeping Track of Periods of Time of Doing Something

Photo Credit: www.wifflegif.com

With this one, some normies do keep track of little things but in sobriety we have a thing for keeping track of everything; most of all our sobriety time. You don’t see normies putting up Facebook statuses that say “6 months no sushi” or just plain old “2 years.” I totally get it being an addict and alcoholic, but normies don’t always understand what we’re talking about or the reason for keeping track of the time. My friends mom used to say “so what, the dogs been sober for 6 years, what does he get?” They just don’t get it.

3. Posting Before and After Pictures

Photo Credit: www.wifflegif.com

Yes, some people will do this when losing weight but us addicts and alcoholics like to find the absolute WORST picture of us getting high and the best picture now and put them side-by-side for the world to see. Nothing wrong with being proud of the person we’ve become but normies just don’t typically do this.

4. Bragging About Not Drinking or Doing Drugs

Photo Credit: www.wifflegif.com

When we are super proud that we haven’t been drinking nor doing drugs, people don’t always comprehend why. A lot of people have never even done cocaine or certain drugs so therefore they don’t understand why we are so excited about it and especially why we want to tell the world about it (well, some of us not all of us).

5. Planning Dry Social Events

Photo Credit: www.wifflegif.com

When I’ve spoken to people who aren’t in recovery about my wedding or my birthday, a typical thing to wonder is why can’t other normies drink even if we can’t? For a lot of addicts and alcoholics, it just isn’t enjoyable or necessary for us to serve alcohol at our weddings, birthday parties or social events. To a normal person, this can be weird. Like a friend of mine said at her wedding she won’t be serving alcohol and a normies response was “why, other people will want to drink?” For me, I don’t want to pay for alcohol for other people to get drunk on, I spent plenty on it in my active addiction, and I’m good with all that.

6. Going to Meetings with Strangers and Sharing Our Feelings

Photo Credit: www.wifflegif.com

I understand why this one is strange; telling someone you go to a meeting full of people you don’t know and raise your hand and share your life experiences and feelings with strangers can sound weird. I know when I went to my first meeting the whole thing was something I’d never seen before. I 100% validate them for thinking this is weird; especially saying we need a meeting. They don’t understand any of it.

7. Trying to Stay Sober for the Rest of Our Lives

Photo Credit: www.wifflegif.com

In all reality, it’s much better to not think about staying sober forever but that is the idea of getting into recovery (for most of us). Telling a normal person that we are never going to drink or do drugs again can come as quite a shock. It is insane for them to think of someone doing that and I get it, hearing someone say that might sound weird if you didn’t understand why.

These are just some of the things we do that normies may find weird. There are some normies who don’t find these things weird at all and everybody is different. It all depends on the person; but if you do have normies in your life it’s good to remember they will never truly understand what it’s like to be an addict and alcoholic (for yourself to remember) and that’s okay. If you or a loved one are struggling with substance abuse or addiction, please call toll free 1-800-951-6135.