15.1 million adults ages 18 and older Alcohol Use Disorder in the United States. Excessive alcohol use results in 88,000 deaths each year. And yet we live in a culture where drinking is interwoven into the fabric of routine life. Here are some tips to help you stay clean and sober as you face challenges of sobriety.
Maintain a Support Team
One of the most helpful tools for staying sober is to have a strong support system. Friends and family members can help you with addiction temptations and through your challenges of sobriety during recovery.
Choose people that you can rely on for encouragement and strength. You can join a local support group that focuses on a sober life.
If you created bonds with people at the treatment center in Savannah Georgia, find ways to maintain those relationships. Call, email or write frequently. After all, these people know what you’re going through.
Finding a Purpose in Life
Living sober for the long haul requires you to find a purpose to your life. It can be difficult to start a life that doesn’t revolve around drugs or alcohol.
Removing substance abuse during alcohol rehab is not enough. To lead a sober life you need to replace that addiction with a new passion or purpose.
Find meaningful hobbies or volunteer opportunities that speak to you. It can be anything from creating art and practicing yoga to working at your local soup kitchen.
As you develop new interests and hobbies, you will fill the void of addiction temptation with productive and meaningful things.
A Healthy Lifestyle
Living sober is easier when you overhaul your health and wellness. Staying clean is easier when you have the benefits of healthy living on your side.
Make exercise a part of your regular schedule. Find something that you enjoy. It doesn’t matter what you choose: jogging, weight-training, kickboxing or pilates.
Exercise has countless benefits. It reduces stress, helps you sleep better, clears your mind and distracts you from your addiction temptations. Not to mention that the natural endorphins from exercise go a long way in helping you feel great.
Exercise alone isn’t enough. Tune up your eating habits. Focus on whole, fresh foods that aren’t processed or packaged. A healthy diet will help you ward off cravings and will give you the energy and nutrients your body needs.
Why not take this opportunity to learn how to cook healthy foods you enjoy. Take an Italian cooking class or learn how to cook and eat like the French.
Develop New Coping Strategies
A big part of sober recovery has to do with developing new coping strategies to get you through difficult experiences. Staying sober means that you’ll need to learn how to manage stress, anxiety, boredom and relationships without alcohol.
During your treatment in Savannah Georgia, you’ll have learned coping mechanisms. When you return to your normal life, you’ll need to apply them.
Financial trouble is a common issue that may entice you to start drinking. You can defend yourself against challenges of sobriety like this one by consulting a financial advisor. He or she will help you create a unique plan to manage your finances.
Trouble in your relationships is another common concern. But now you know that drinking doesn’t help the situation. Instead, turn to a therapist for couples counseling.
If you have difficulties or stress from your work or studies, don’t lose hope. You have options. Explore them by talking with a career counselor, an academic advisor or your manager.
Managing Triggers
Closely related to coping strategies is dealing with triggers. You will have certain situations that will amp up your addiction temptation.
Triggers are different for everyone. They could be certain times of the day or certain social situations.
Avoiding potential triggers is one of the best ways to aid your new sober lifestyle.
Beat Boredom
One of the biggest challenges of sobriety are dealing with boredom. You no longer than the structured daily schedule that you had during treatment.
But, there’s no reason why you can’t create a daily schedule for yourself to follow. Block out time for meditation, exercise, volunteer work, spending time outside and working on your new hobby.
Now is a good chance to get involved in your community. You could join a book club, a local non-profit in need of volunteers or a committee.
Set Goals
When you know what you want to achieve, it’s easier to keep your eyes on the prize.
Set realistic goals that are actionable and have a set deadline. Maybe you want to learn Portuguese so you can take a backpacking trip through Brazil.
Or maybe you want to learn how to play a musical instrument and write your own music.
Goals can help you stay focused and ward off boredom and other threats to your sober lifestyle.
Practice Gratitude
Find a moment each day to be thankful. It can be jotting down a couple of lines in your journal each night before bed. Or it can be part of your morning meditation routine.
When you appreciate the life you have, it’s easier to notice more and more things to be thankful for.
Feeling gratitude is a perfect way to develop a sense of joy and lasting happiness.
Dealing With Social Drinking
Now here’s the sobriety tip you’ve been waiting for. How do you live a normal life while staying clean?
There’s always after-work drinks, family holiday parties, and sporting game rituals.
First of all, try to avoid these situations whenever possible. You may not be strong enough to hang out at a bar during your early days of sober living.
But when you are forced to deal with social drinking, avoid temptation by limiting your stay. Either arrive late or leave early.
Keep a non-alcoholic drink in your hands at all times. Go to these events with a sober friend.
And, if you start to feel tempted or uncomfortable, leave right away.
Final Thoughts on Staying Clean and Sober
Thanks for reading. We know that staying clean and sober is a lifelong journey. But it is possible.
As you follow these tips, you will be well equipped to handle whatever challenges of sobriety throw at you.
Next, learn about the 8 different types of treatment options out there.
