This may also manifest as insomnia, loss of desire, changes in eating habits, or a loss of daily structure. Additionally, you’ll need to find ways to manage physical pain if you know it’s a trigger for drinking or drugs. Whenever possible, avoid people with whom you have unhealthy relations. If you can’t or don’t want to do this, seek professional counseling and encourage your loved one to do so too. Healthy relationships are valuable when you want to remain sober.
Tips For Staying Sober
- Beginning with something simple like an easy exercise routine can be a great way to get started.
- When reaching out to family and friends for support, it’s important to choose wisely.
- Achieving and maintaining sobriety is a journey that requires ongoing effort and support.
- Sometimes a reassuring word from someone you trust and respect is all it takes to keep you on track.
In addition to being able to recognize them, it’s important to know when to seek help. I have neither the time nor the desire to cultivate several deep relationships. Besides my husband and family, I have 2 or 3 friends I am extremely close to and a few additional folks who are more like solid acquaintances.
Understanding Going Through Marijuana Withdrawal
Studies show that shame and guilt can hinder recovery from addiction. This is why self-care plays such an impactful role when trying to stay sober. When feelings of shame or guilt enter your mind, always have a few self-care routines to turn to. Detox occurs when the body goes through the process of eliminating substances from itself. Individuals who experience withdrawal symptoms have become dependant on the substance. This means that the brain and body have become so accustomed to having the substance present that without it, they can’t function properly.
Find a Peer Support Group
While it’s true, people on the internet can be cut throat, if you find the right community, you’ll find nothing but support. Tell your story, address your struggles and don’t be afraid to be open with others. You can always reach out to the I Am Sober app community and receive some tips to stay sober healthy support there as well. One of the first things you discover after getting sober is how much time you have. It’s one of the reasons we track your time saved in the app. Addiction devours your time which is a factor in many people’s relapse.
Remember these 10 tips for staying sober to help you in your recovery journey. Your therapist can help you formulate healthy coping mechanisms that don’t involve a chemical crutch. You just need the willpower and commitment to execute these strategies when you’re tempted to drink or use drugs.
- As your needs change, so too should the treatment plan.
- Discover insights on going through marijuana withdrawal, from symptoms to recovery strategies for lasting change.
- People in recovery can experience a lot of shame simply for having become addicted in the first place.
- For someone struggling with their sobriety and learning a new way of life, this is one of the best exercises you can do.
- These symptoms can persist for six months to two years after ceasing alcohol use 5.
- If you want to stay sober, you have a better chance if you’re maintaining a budget and happier with your finances.
Ready for a change in your relationship with alcohol?
There are some general things you can expect to happen. The following tips are all ways you can help yourself reach your goals. Another confidence boost is https://ecosoberhouse.com/article/how-alcoholic-parents-affect-their-children/ by setting goals and achieving them. Start with small goals and work up to bigger goals. Accomplishing a goal that you’ve put intention into gives you the reward of believing in yourself.
What’s the Point of Staying Sober?
Being a part of a support group can be one of the best ways to stay sober. Having peer support as part of your support network is helpful because it connects you with people going through the same journey. Many different addiction treatment programs exist, including family therapy groups, outpatient programs, and inpatient substance abuse treatment centers. The hope is that you will be ready to resume daily life after treatment, manage stressors and triggers, and stay sober for the long term. The reality is that many situations can make it hard to reintegrate into normal life without some hiccups and potential for relapse.
Identifying Characteristics of Top Alcohol Treatment Centers
Holding on to your shame and guilt will lead you down a path of depression that is almost certainly going to lead you to a relapse. Let those emotions go and focus on what’s ahead of you. Have an open mind, but for a few of us in recovery, this does work. When you catch yourself thinking of drinking, of wanting nothing more than to have one glass of whiskey, then stop and close your eyes. Take that thought and imagine it as a fish and let it float out of your vision.
Navigating the Dual Challenges of PTSD and Substance Abuse
If you’ve been abusing alcohol, prescription medication, or illegal drugs and you are ready to stop, we’ll help you every step of the way. If you have been suffering from alcohol use disorder or substance use disorder, you may have encountered financial problems. Learn that you have choices and that you can maintain control.
People in recovery generally agree that abstinence is necessary but remains just a starting point for a new, sober life. This article will describe sobriety in more detail, the challenges a person faces while working to stay sober, the options for treatment, and tips for building a sober lifestyle. After you’ve gotten clean, it’s essential that you understand how to stay sober—especially considering that relapse rates for substance abuse disorders are between 40-60%. For opioid use disorders, there is a higher probability of relapse at 72-88%. Professional addiction treatment helps you manage withdrawal symptoms when you first decide to stay sober. Additionally, it can help you manage the challenges of addiction.