We have been forced out of our normal routines and into circumstances we were not prepared for. A toolbox of healthy coping mechanisms can improve your quality of life. You’ll face successes, setbacks, growth, and joy along your journey. They’re all https://ecosoberhouse.com/ part of the process and work to serve the greater goal of a healthier, happier you. “The most important thing to focus on with an individual who is working to decrease their substance use or achieve abstinence is to promote safety and reduce harm.
Understand Your Triggers
One of the most efficient ways to do that is simply by moving. To encourage stronger connections in sober settings, focus on creating an environment where everyone feels comfortable and included. Plan gatherings around activities or interests that involve everyone and encourage interaction and tips to stay sober genuine connection. It’s perfectly okay to say, “No.” If someone continues to pressure you to drink alcohol, it might be time to assess whether this person has your best interests at heart. This gives you a clear reason to avoid alcohol, and it’s also a gesture that’s generally appreciated.
Educate Yourself on Alcohol-Free Alternatives
Relapse prevention is a key part of the entire sobriety journey. In many 12-step programs, such as Alcoholics Anonymous, sobriety means completely abstaining from all drugs and alcohol, and any other addictive substances. To others, it means being in control, but not completely abstaining, such as social drinking and cutting back to an occasional glass of wine.
Tips for How to Stay Sober
Having a solid relapse prevention plan is a critical element for staying sober. In addition, the new sober you must identify triggers, recognize warning signs, and acknowledge your sober friends and support network. Despite the difficulty, sober living offers many benefits, including better mental and physical health. You can do many things to improve your chances of staying sober. Just as no one treatment plan fits all people, no one treatment plan may be suitable for the entire time you are in a formal treatment program. For this reason, treatment plans need to be flexible.
Create Structure in Your Life
It’s a great way to recognize your strength and new beginnings. Getting your body moving can be as simple as starting a morning or evening ritual of daily walks or as structured as signing up for an in-person HIIT class to hold yourself accountable. Sometimes running into people you know can prompt you to think, “Just one drink won’t hurt.” Don’t get too comfortable. You may have already experienced some of these symptoms, and symptoms may come and go.
- When reaching out to family and friends for support, it’s important to choose wisely.
- You are committing to a better life for yourself and the people you care about, and that should be celebrated.
- As seen in Verywell, Healthline, Psych Central, Everyday Health, and Health.com, among others.
- Staying sober is hard work and will demand significant life adjustments.
You may not be comfortable telling others you don’t drink anymore and can still be confident with a non-alcoholic drink in your hand. Beginning with something simple like an easy exercise routine can be a great way to get started. This can include something like walking for twenty minutes a day or going to the gym with a friend three times a week. Getting sober may have been difficult, but staying sober can be just as much of a challenge. Relapses do happen so it is important to stay diligent and continue to aim toward your goal of sobriety every day. These are some of the ways you can help to make your recovery easier.
- God to you may be a higher power or an unknown reality.
- And in case it wasn’t already obvious, the only way to get to long-term sobriety is to first achieve short-term sobriety.
- Addiction doesn’t always mean alcohol abuse or using drugs.