--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When I joined A.A., I did so for the sole…" description: "\"“When I joined A.A., I did so for the sole purpose of getting sober and staying sober. I didn’t realize I would find so much more, but a new and differ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/15c/alcoholics-anonymous-4926_getting-sober_when-i-joined-a-a-i-did-so-for-the-sole_1511821.jpg" --- # When I joined A.A., I did so for the sole purpose of… ![“When I joined A.A., I did so for the sole purpose of getting sober and staying sober. I didn’t realize I would find so much more, but a new and different outlook on life started opening up almost immediately. Each day seems to be so much more productive and satisfying. I get so much more enjoyment…” quote by Alcoholics Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/15c/alcoholics-anonymous-4926_getting-sober_when-i-joined-a-a-i-did-so-for-the-sole_1511821.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/15c/alcoholics-anonymous-4926_getting-sober_when-i-joined-a-a-i-did-so-for-the-sole_1511821.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/15c/alcoholics-anonymous-4926_getting-sober_when-i-joined-a-a-i-did-so-for-the-sole_1511821.jpg) > ““When I joined A.A., I did so for the sole purpose of getting sober and staying sober. I didn’t realize I would find so much more, but a new and different outlook on life started opening up almost immediately. Each day seems to be so much more productive and satisfying. I get so much more enjoyment out of living. I find an inner pleasure in simple things. Living just for today is a pleasant adventure.”” [Alcoholics Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alcoholics-anonymous/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Finding sobriety opens a broader, more fulfilling perspective on life, enhancing daily productivity and joy. **In simple terms:** Sobriety brings broader joy and purpose. Key Takeaway Embrace daily gratitude and presence. Themes sobriety personal growth mindfulness Mood hopeful reflective Type inspirational personal development When to use this quote - recovery meetings - daily journaling - mindful walking - volunteering Key Concepts self‑actualization meaning purpose Questions to Reflect On - How does sobriety reshape your daily priorities? - What simple pleasures have you discovered? A Different Perspective May overlook challenges of long‑term maintenance. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Getting sober](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/getting-sober/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Outlook on life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/outlook-on-life/) [Simple things](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/simple-things/) [Sober](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sober/) ## Related quotes > [Happiness is living by inner purpose.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-w-augsburger/happiness-is-living-by-inner-purpose/) [David W Augsburger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-w-augsburger/) > [I was neat, clean, shaved and sober and I didn't care who knew it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raymond-chandler/i-was-neat-clean-shaved-and-sober-and-i-didn-t-care-who-knew-it/) [Raymond Chandler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raymond-chandler/) > [If we would accept heaven's life, we need by all means to live in the world and to participate in its duties and affairs.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emanuel-swedenborg/if-we-would-accept-heaven-s-life-we-need-by-all-means-to-live-in-the/) [Emanuel Swedenborg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emanuel-swedenborg/) > [Living in an inner state of vulnerability is a powerful practice that opens our hearts, causing us to live in a state of gratitude…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-beckwith/living-in-an-inner-state-of-vulnerability-is-a-powerful-practice-that/) [Michael Beckwith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-beckwith/) > [When I played drunks I had to remain sober because I didn't know how to play them when I was drunk.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-burton/when-i-played-drunks-i-had-to-remain-sober-because-i-didn-t-know-how/) [Richard Burton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-burton/) > [“I needed to grow up, but growing up meant letting go of who I’d been for the past seven years. The last time I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/l-j-shen/i-needed-to-grow-up-but-growing-up-meant-letting-go-of-who-i-d-been/) [L.J. Shen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/l-j-shen/) > [Above anything else - above family or job - the main thing is staying sober. That's because without being sober, I don't have a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-regal/above-anything-else-above-family-or-job-the-main-thing-is-staying/) [William Regal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-regal/) > [What's the point of staying sober?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oliver-reed/what-s-the-point-of-staying-sober/) [Oliver Reed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oliver-reed/) > [I think that there are many different ways of getting and staying sober. Like religion, I just don't think that one way is the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kristen-johnston/i-think-that-there-are-many-different-ways-of-getting-and-staying/) [Kristen Johnston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kristen-johnston/) > [In the late twentieth century, staying sober has become just as much an addiction as getting wasted.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dennis-miller/in-the-late-twentieth-century-staying-sober-has-become-just-as-much/) [Dennis Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dennis-miller/) > [Anybody that's not supportive of me staying sober obviously has to go. But on the other hand, there are not really a lot of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-o/anybody-that-s-not-supportive-of-me-staying-sober-obviously-has-to-go/) [Steve-O](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-o/) > [“Staying sober is easy once you have been successful in healing the underlying conditions that were responsible for your dependency in the first place.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-prentiss/staying-sober-is-easy-once-you-have-been-successful-in-healing-the/) [Chris Prentiss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-prentiss/) > [Work is my hobby, staying sober is my job.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christian-slater/work-is-my-hobby-staying-sober-is-my-job/) [Christian Slater](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christian-slater/) > [For a lot of folks who get sober, the process of getting and staying sober becomes their higher power, and it becomes a religion…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-isbell/for-a-lot-of-folks-who-get-sober-the-process-of-getting-and-staying/) [Jason Isbell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-isbell/) > [I like the effect drink has on me. What's the point of staying sober?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oliver-reed/i-like-the-effect-drink-has-on-me-what-s-the-point-of-staying-sober/) [Oliver Reed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oliver-reed/) ## More by Alcoholics Anonymous > [“and I actually talked about God, the one who had abandoned me when I was very little, very frightened, and very hurt.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alcoholics-anonymous/and-i-actually-talked-about-god-the-one-who-had-abandoned-me-when-i/) [Alcoholics Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alcoholics-anonymous/) > [“New Year’s resolutions I recycled for a dozen years while my drinking and my life kept getting worse. Alcohol had enslaved me. I was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alcoholics-anonymous/new-year-s-resolutions-i-recycled-for-a-dozen-years-while-my-drinking/) [Alcoholics Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alcoholics-anonymous/) > [“The horrors grew. Inner horrors. On the surface it looked as though I was more or less keeping it together, but day by day…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alcoholics-anonymous/the-horrors-grew-inner-horrors-on-the-surface-it-looked-as-though-i/) [Alcoholics Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alcoholics-anonymous/) > [“How I ran my home, I don’t know. I went on, realizing what I was becoming, hating myself for it, bitter, blaming life, blaming…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alcoholics-anonymous/how-i-ran-my-home-i-don-t-know-i-went-on-realizing-what-i-was/) [Alcoholics Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alcoholics-anonymous/) > [“Acceptance is the answer to all my problemskey to all my problems today.When I am distrubed, it is because I find some person, place,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alcoholics-anonymous/acceptance-is-the-answer-to-all-my-problemskey-to-all-my-problems/) [Alcoholics Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alcoholics-anonymous/) > [“It’s like a man standing on a bridge in the middle of a river with his pants on fire wondering why his pants are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alcoholics-anonymous/it-s-like-a-man-standing-on-a-bridge-in-the-middle-of-a-river-with/) [Alcoholics Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alcoholics-anonymous/) > [“But in the light of the new understanding that I have found in A.A., I have been able to interpret that defeat and that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alcoholics-anonymous/but-in-the-light-of-the-new-understanding-that-i-have-found-in-a-a-i/) [Alcoholics Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alcoholics-anonymous/) > [“I actually wanted a drink, besides feeling that I had to have a drink.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alcoholics-anonymous/i-actually-wanted-a-drink-besides-feeling-that-i-had-to-have-a-drink/) [Alcoholics Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alcoholics-anonymous/) > [“When I got home in the evening, I drank at least half the fifth in front of the television set and watched reruns until…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alcoholics-anonymous/when-i-got-home-in-the-evening-i-drank-at-least-half-the-fifth-in/) [Alcoholics Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alcoholics-anonymous/) > [“I wondered how this misery would end. I was full of fear. I was afraid to tell others what I felt lest they would…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alcoholics-anonymous/i-wondered-how-this-misery-would-end-i-was-full-of-fear-i-was-afraid/) [Alcoholics Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alcoholics-anonymous/) > [“I tried everything. I moved a thousand miles away from home to Chicago and a new environment. I studied art; I desperately endeavored to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alcoholics-anonymous/i-tried-everything-i-moved-a-thousand-miles-away-from-home-to-chicago/) [Alcoholics Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alcoholics-anonymous/) > [“Dishonest thinking, prejudice, ego, antagonism toward anyone and everyone who dares to cross him, vanity, and a critical attitude are character defects that gradually…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alcoholics-anonymous/dishonest-thinking-prejudice-ego-antagonism-toward-anyone-and/) [Alcoholics Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alcoholics-anonymous/) > [“We must lose our fear of creditors no matter how far we have to go, for we are liable to drink if we are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alcoholics-anonymous/we-must-lose-our-fear-of-creditors-no-matter-how-far-we-have-to-go/) [Alcoholics Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alcoholics-anonymous/) > [“So I continued spinning fantasies, and now alcohol fueled my dreams. I would make great discoveries, win the Nobel Prize in medicine and in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alcoholics-anonymous/so-i-continued-spinning-fantasies-and-now-alcohol-fueled-my-dreams-i/) [Alcoholics Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alcoholics-anonymous/) > [“Above all, I am grateful to A.A. for my sobriety, which means so much to my family, friends, and business associates, because God and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alcoholics-anonymous/above-all-i-am-grateful-to-a-a-for-my-sobriety-which-means-so-much-to/) [Alcoholics Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alcoholics-anonymous/) [Explore all 105 Alcoholics Anonymous quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alcoholics-anonymous/) ## More Getting sober quotes > [“If you don't like smoking don't even bother getting sober, just stay drunk.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/augusten-burroughs/if-you-don-t-like-smoking-don-t-even-bother-getting-sober-just-stay/) [Augusten Burroughs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/augusten-burroughs/) > [It's a trip when people take sobriety for granted. Feeling trapped in my addiction and then getting sober - you appreciate it so much…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eminem/it-s-a-trip-when-people-take-sobriety-for-granted-feeling-trapped-in/) [Eminem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eminem/) > [Getting sober was one of the three pivotal events in my life, along with becoming an actor and having a child. Of the three,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-oldman/getting-sober-was-one-of-the-three-pivotal-events-in-my-life-along/) [Gary Oldman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-oldman/) > [Drunkenness is the vice of a good constitution or of a bad memory of a constitution so treacherously good that it never bends till…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-caleb-colton/drunkenness-is-the-vice-of-a-good-constitution-or-of-a-bad-memory-of/) [Charles Caleb Colton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-caleb-colton/) > [“Getting sober is a radically creative act.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/meredith-bell/getting-sober-is-a-radically-creative-act/) Meredith Bell > [If you always do what you did, you'll always get what you got.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marian-diamond/if-you-always-do-what-you-did-you-ll-always-get-what-you-got/) Marian Diamond > [“Getting sober never felt like I had pulled myself up by my own spiritual bootstraps. It felt instead like I was on one path…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nadia-bolz-weber/getting-sober-never-felt-like-i-had-pulled-myself-up-by-my-own/) [Nadia Bolz-Weber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nadia-bolz-weber/) > [I feel very positive where I never did before, and I think that's all a direct result of getting sober.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jamie-lee-curtis/i-feel-very-positive-where-i-never-did-before-and-i-think-that-s-all/) [Jamie Lee Curtis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jamie-lee-curtis/) > [What's the Use of Getting Sober (When You Gonna Get Drunk Again)](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-jordan/what-s-the-use-of-getting-sober-when-you-gonna-get-drunk-again/) Louis Jordan > [We get very little wisdom from success, you know.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-saroyan/we-get-very-little-wisdom-from-success-you-know/) [William Saroyan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-saroyan/) > [“If you talk to little kids about drugs, they tell you that drugs make you feel weird and act crazy and hang around with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mishka-shubaly/if-you-talk-to-little-kids-about-drugs-they-tell-you-that-drugs-make/) [Mishka Shubaly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mishka-shubaly/) > [When everything's coming your way, you're in the wrong lane.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-wright/when-everything-s-coming-your-way-you-re-in-the-wrong-lane/) [Steven Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-wright/) > [“What branch do you want to go in?” “I don’ give a god-damn,” said Pilon jauntily. “I guess we need men like you in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-steinbeck/what-branch-do-you-want-to-go-in-i-don-give-a-god-damn-said-pilon/) [John Steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-steinbeck/) > [Getting sober just exploded my life. Now I have a much clearer sense of myself and what I can and can't do. I am…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jamie-lee-curtis/getting-sober-just-exploded-my-life-now-i-have-a-much-clearer-sense/) [Jamie Lee Curtis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jamie-lee-curtis/) > [If I can be an example of getting sober, then I can be an example for starting over](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/macklemore/if-i-can-be-an-example-of-getting-sober-then-i-can-be-an-example-for/) [Macklemore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/macklemore/) [Browse all 19 Getting sober quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/getting-sober/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“When I joined A.A., I did so for the sole purpose of getting sober and staying sober. I didn’t realize I would find so much more, but a new and different outlook on life started opening up almost immediately. Each day seems to be so much more productive and satisfying. 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