Its gone now, and I will never get it back...

Wellness / Self-care Focus of the Video

The speaker frames sobriety as the ultimate “self-care” choice because substance use costs people their:

• Health
• Presence
• Relationships
• Most importantly: time for the moments that become lasting memories

Key Messages & Strategies (from the subtitles)

1) Notice the real “cost” of using: wasted time

The speaker emphasizes that substance use doesn’t just “mess up” a moment—it steals time, including:

• Wasted time getting intoxicated / trying to get intoxicated
• Wasted time being hung over, losing whole days or weekends
• Wasted time acquiring substances or waiting on dealers

2) Break the relapse loop using a time-based anchor

Instead of thinking “tonight” in isolation, think about what comes right after:

• Wednesday → Thursday → Friday → weekend (when cravings often peak)

Use “one day at a time” as the decision rule:

Stay sober today.

3) Redirect effort toward what actually matters (replacement behaviors)

The speaker encourages putting time into meaningful, nourishing activities, such as:

• Spending time with children (playing, outings, being present)
• Connecting with a spouse/partner
• Investing in family
• Caring for pets (walks, taking care of them)
• Pursuing hobbies (e.g., motorcycling, hiking, backpacking, fishing, jewelry-making)

4) Create memories through presence, not avoidance

Memories are described as priceless—and require action and presence. Substance use blocks that because people are often:

• Hung over
• On the couch
• Chasing alcohol/substances
• Too sick or tired to participate

5) Use vivid consequence-based reflection

From severe hospital experiences, the speaker notes that the main regret wasn’t money—it was:

• Time lost with family

He also describes how alcohol was “nowhere to be found” during the hardest moments, and that family was the real support system.

6) Challenge the “I’ll just have one” pattern

The speaker argues that “one” typically becomes “more” (e.g., one beer turning into many), driven by how the brain and body respond.

7) Avoid the “hangover recovery” trap

He highlights a common cycle:

1. Greasy food/meds/brunch/bloody marys/beer “to feel better”
2. Feeling better just enough to start drinking again
3. Losing the day anyway

8) Think ahead to the weekend and protect it

The speaker points out that there are only 52 weekends each year, and wasted weekends compound over time.

Self-care / Sobriety Action Steps (implied)

• Choose sobriety for today (not forever—just the next 24 hours)
• Plan connection time now: do something with loved ones rather than waiting for the weekend
• When cravings arise, replace the activity with something meaningful (family/hobbies/pets)
• Don’t negotiate with relapse “tomorrow”—commit to the present moment

Presenters / Sources

• Presenter/creator: Not explicitly named in the subtitles (single speaker, talking directly to the audience).