It was during a time of complete sobriety (I was having a drink here and there) that I completely lost it. Somehow, that reinforced my desire not to use anything. *Shrugs*

I used no drugs, but I did have one PBR (probably counts as only half a beer), one Tecate, one small Type O at Spike's and one small glass of decent Zinfandel, all on separate days. It's rather interesting that I can remember the list, which probably means that I was both fairly sober and somewhat obsessive.

The most disorienting part was coming back to work the day after I left the burn.

I was so busy building our giant art project (www.sugarcube2006.com) that I had NO time for doing drugs, even if I'd wanted to (which I didn't). Each night, we had a beer or two, and maybe a Bloody Mary (vitamins, you know! Closest thing to a salad I can get out there). But we never got DRUNK DRUNK, and never felt bad the next day-- it was more of a way to relax and unwind and drink something that was cold and tasted good and wasn't water, before collapsing into bed and working another 8 or so hours on the art project.

Seeing the cracked-out folks in the morning, who hadn't gone to bed yet and were contemplating trying to sleep in a tent that was shortly to turn into an oven...made me so happy that I'd not done drugs and gotten a full night's sleep with my earplugs firmly in place.

I've made the decision to not go back to Burning Man. It's not really for me, I don't get much out of it, and I was basically there this year just for the art project....I felt really isolated for the most part, and wanted nothing to do with the "night-time partying" that went on manically and desperately every night.....

I've been sober for a long time now, so I'm kind of used to not using, even in an exotic environment like Black Rock City.

This was my first burn, so I was overwhelmed by everything...it seemed to me that back in the old days, I used to take drugs to get real life to seem more like what Black Rock City was, and that for me, taking drugs at Burning Man would be superfulous.

Maybe part of the secret is who you're with: the folks I was camping with were mixed, but there were a few long-time sober folks, and I went by a couple of the AA-related tents and said hi (no way I was going to spend time in a meeting when there was playa to explore).

The big upside is that I think that I remembered more than I would have if I were drinking or using. There were so many people, events, and things to take in that I'd begrudge losing even a little bit of them!

b

My Burn went fairly well. I don't do any drugs to speak of anyways. So, me being drug free the entire time was not a problem. Even when I was offered E from a friend as an engagement present.

I did drink. I'm a social drinker. I think I was tore up only one night out of the 8 days I was there. Considering the last time I was in in a huge group of people I didn't really know I drank 32 oz. of rum in something like 3 hours. I'm taking it as a small victory.

I had one cigarette to commemorate the fact that it's been a year since I quite smoking cold turkey. And while I was smoking that cigarette I remembered exactly why I had quit in the first place. It tasted horrible.

I made it through completely sober and pretty much on my own. I leaned here and there on people. And there was one night where i thought i wouldnt make it through but i did it.

it wasa amazing and i feel stronger in my sobriety and ability to reach out and help others more than ever and i have been since i have been back. apparently people are sucking up my energy and being inspired.

its a pretty good feeling. I went with a year and 19 days under my belt and came home with 13 months.

I didnt get "fucked up" at all this burn. Its enough of a challenge to stay hydrated, rested, and nourished out there, nevermind the added challenge of making that 10 times harder to do because you are cracked out.