Ask them to support your sobriety by not enabling any bad habits and being there for you when you need them. You should also avoid people, places, and things that trigger your addiction. This may be difficult at first, but over time it will become easier. Supporters for people struggling with addiction often wish they could do more to help, and it can be tempting to try.

Trying to stay sober isn’t something that lasts for just a year. Staying abstinent is something that will be with you your whole life. If you have been sober for over a year you could consider becoming a sponsor yourself. When it comes to support, the sponsor and the person in recovery are able to mutually benefit each other.

Build a Support Network

Learning about how to stay sober can be different for everyone. At first, you may not realize that there are certain people, places, or even activities that can make alcohol much more difficult to abstain from. They will not necessarily force someone to use alcohol again, but significantly increase the chances.

• Learning about how to stay sober can be different for everyone.
• Alcoholics Anonymous– Learn more about the 12 steps and find a support meeting in your area.
• #6 Plan an easy exit from problematic situations and how you will turn down offers to drink.
• When your sponsee calls you frantic, worried they will relapse, you can be there to give them advice and share about your success in recovery.
• Quitting drinking can help you get more restful sleep, which also provides mood and health benefits.
• It is essential to understand the definition of addiction and know how it differs from physical dependence or tolerance.

AlcoholicsAnonymous.com is not owned or operated by any treatment facility. AlcoholicsAnonymous.com does not endorse any treatment facility or guarantee the quality of care provided, or the results to be achieved, by any treatment facility. The information provided by AlcoholicsAnonymous.com is not a substitute for professional treatment advice. One of the reasons it is so hard to quit a substance is because it becomes habitual. It becomes part of your daily life, making maintaining sobriety harder since you have to find new ways to keep yourself busy. Finding new hobbies is a fun and healthy way to occupy your time.

Create Healthy Habits

You may have no idea why you started drinking or using drugs in the first place. If certain people, places, or activities trigger a craving for alcohol, try to avoid them. This may mean making major changes to your social life, such as finding new things to do with your old drinking buddies—or even giving up those friends and finding new ones. Your chances of staying sober improve if you are participating in a support group like Alcoholics Anonymous, have a sponsor, or are involved in therapy or an outpatient treatment program. Build a sober social network – If your previous social life revolved around alcohol, you may need to make some new connections. It’s important to have sober friends who will support your recovery.

When you have a schedule, you are more likely to stick to it and not miss anything you need. Getting sober after having an alcohol or drug addiction is something to be proud of; however, it can be stressful trying to stay sober if you do not have a plan. Setting goals and having ideas ready will help keep you on the right track https://ecosoberhouse.com/ with minimal stress. It may not be easy, but following these sober living options tips can make the process of maintaining sobriety easier. Trigger for you may be driving past the liquor store where you used to commonly purchase alcohol, while a trigger for someone else may be a coworker they have gotten drinks with previously.

Finding Treatment for Alcoholism

Think about joining a book club, taking dancing lessons, taking cooking classes, surveying a college class (no tests!), or joining a gym. When you write things down, it helps you to see the bigger picture.

A mental health professional can help you cope with some of the challenges you’ll face on your path to sobriety. You may also need to change your route to work or home in order to avoid any triggers, or people, places, or things that make you want to use drugs or drink again. Some of the immediate changes you will need to make will be obvious—like not hanging around the people that you used with or obtained drugs from. After all, alcohol recovery tips you can’t hang around your drug dealer or old drinking buddies and expect to remain sober for very long. Deciding to live a sober life is a difficult decision to make. It means changing habits, cutting out the addictive substance you are using, and possibly removing yourself from situations where there are a lot of temptations. Once you have started the process, remaining sober becomes another challenge you will have to face.

Early Relapse Warning Signs to Watch For

Alcohol consumption can be common in many areas of life. Staying away from places that typically promote alcohol consumption can help to limit any kind of temptation. Places like bars, nightclubs, or parties are common areas where alcohol is present and encouraged. “Out of sight, out of mind” is a saying that applies considerably when dealing with alcohol.

• A new way of living won’t happen overnight, and you have to be patient and take things step-by-step.
• Whether you want to quit drinking altogether or cut down to healthier levels, these guidelines can help you get started on the road to recovery today.
• Studies also show that exercise can help strengthen your mental health, too.
• As you transition back into daily life from either inpatient or outpatient rehab, creating a solid network around you is key.
• This means taking action throughout the day to check in with yourself, do things that make you feel good, see people that you love, and attending therapy when you need it.

They get bored and wander back to what they “think” they’d rather be doing. You’ll save money on gas, potentially groceries, and keep yourself busy in a productive manner.

A Life Free From Addiction Is Possible

Behavioral therapies can help you not only learn why you started drinking or using drugs in the first place, but also reset negative behaviors. You’ll learn how to deal with your triggers in a more positive manner. Behavioral therapy can help you identify and recognize signs of stress, and find different techniques to destress. Some recovering addicts may rely on deep breathing techniques to relax.

They can reduce the stress response and bring you back to a state of calmness, which is essential for sound decision-making. Especially in early recovery, establishing goals for yourself is important. What do you want to accomplish, now that you have control back over your life? You may wish to establish a good career, go back to school, finish college, or even travel to new places.