Surprise! Sober people can have lots of sexy qualities, but an enthusiasm for life will take them the farthest. Recovering from substance addiction is about living and embracing each day to the fullest, not just the cessation of abuse. Think about what you find attractive. Do you respond to a person who is sullen, disheveled, and withdrawn, or are you drawn to bright smiles, confident strides, and contagious laughter?

Alcohol doesn’t make you fat… it makes you lean… on tables, chairs, and random people. (not sexy)

One of the first things you recoup when giving up booze and drugs is your health. Your weight will regulate, your skin will look better, and there will be a spark of life in your eyes. If you pay attention, you’ll notice those around you responding to the way you carry yourself with more assurance. Smile at strangers, they’ll probably smile back because your positive disposition is hard to ignore.

Do you have anything against having money in your bank account? No? Didn’t think so. Guess how much you’re saving now that you aren’t supporting the drug dealers and package shops? Open a money-market. Stash cash under your mattress. Do something to build a nice little pocket of money with which you can reward yourself for all that dedication and hard work—a day at the spa, a trip to the symphony, a romantic date with that special someone, hell, even a full blown vacation. You earned it!

If suffering builds strength, then those who have survived addiction and come out clean on the other side are some of the toughest people there are. After all, is there anything harder than getting and staying sober? Mental strength and coping with pain are skills which addicts develop. A recovered addict builds on that skill without turning to mind-altering chemicals, but instead, pursuing raw life. And that’s a beautiful, sexy thing.

So remember when you head outside on the road of recovery that sober is the new sexy.