There are two basic steps to achieving long-term sobriety: get sober and then stay sober. Getting sober has its own challenges, but staying sober takes a lot of maintenance work too. Here are some tips many alcoholics have used to stay sober:
Start with a comprehensive addiction recovery program
In the beginning, you may be going through withdrawal, and you may have other physical problems. Start your recovery in a safe environment where there are qualified professionals who can monitor your progress and make sure you are progressing well.
Choose a therapy program that fits your personal needs
Do you do better in groups? Are there personal issues you need to work out in individual therapy? You might want to start by using multiple types of therapy before deciding on the therapy you will utilize throughout your early recovery.
Eat right
If you’re like most people, you have a lot of bad habits. You will quickly discover how much better you feel when you are taking in nutritious, healthy food instead of sporadically eating junk.
Exercise
It may take a while to get back into shape, but you can start easy by walking, swimming, or doing another low impact exercise. The exercise will help you recover from the damage you have done while in active addiction.
Practice yoga and meditation
Yoga will also help you get into better shape, but the real benefits come with the way yoga and meditation help bring you back into a spiritual balance. You can also use these methods to deal with stress, and if you are practicing yoga and meditation on a regular basis, you can cut down on stress drastically.
Identify triggers
Are there certain parts of your old life that make you uncomfortable, such as old places you used to hang out? It doesn’t hurt to avoid those places in early sobriety, just so you don’t think about them. You can take a different route to work and make other new habits to avoid going back to your old ones.
Get a sponsor
There are several reasons support groups encourage newcomers to find a sponsor right away. Your sponsor can share personal experience to let you know that what you are going through is normal, and give you advice on what worked for him.
Live in the now
This is easier said than done, especially for an addict. One of the biggest problems people have when they struggle with addiction is that they cannot accept the world the way it is, and they regret the past and fear the future. Learn to be mindful of the moment, the only time that really counts.
Be creative!
Even if you don’t feel like you have any talent, do something creative that you enjoy. Write, paint, sing, or whatever else makes your heart happy. Being creative will help you tap into your emotions and free you from negativity.
Welcome change
It’s okay to change and become different from how you used to be. It can seem frightening because you don’t know what’s next.
Don’t fear relapsing
The less you focus on negativity, the more likely you are to be successful in your recovery.
Make new goals for yourself
In the beginning, the goals might be small. You could eventually work your way back to achieving some of your most important life goals in time.
Keep an attitude of gratitude
Make a gratitude list every morning when you get up. Learn to look for the best in everything, instead of the negative.
Rise in Malibu offers all the tools you need to get and stay sober. We use a holistic approach where we can help you identify all your most important issues so you can learn what works for you best. If you or a loved one is in need of help, don’t hesitate to call and see how we can help.
