I would say don't turn it into a contest. Or fight through it?

Over health precautions or spiritual needs,

Does your recreational substance use effect your personal life? Then mark them, evolve, discipline yourself, and learn from yourself and them.

If you can't function in society and with recreational substance, you should part with them.

I've been all over the world, they all handle recreational substance uses differently... Some more lenient than others... In the US it varies by the authorities. If you're in public, mind yourself and others, if you're under the influence step up to no-one. Step up to no-one in general.

If you have psychiatric issues bar none - just get wise.

Don't count days though, build on yourself... You can count days or treat the habit. I went 8 months sober, getting sauced tonight.

I go dry months at a time, relax a single evening, go back on the wagon for a time. That's fine for me.. It's not an addiction, it's purely based on my desire.

I ultimately based this off time and experience... It was a hard time coming for me... I learned to behave in various places, I'm not an addict. Getting loud and roudy is fine in some places, not in others, ultimately in cow boy police USA places. They will arrest you for anything.

As far as health wise... I'm fine. As far as seeing recreation substance use negatively, it depends on the individual.

Boredom, monotony is your biggest enemy. I often turn to the bottle to break the monotony of sobriety, which can get manic, for some.

I handle it disciplined enough and have learned from my mistakes, I am not dependent, for certain.

It's not about ego. If someone says they've been sober 20,600 days, cool man.