This article discusses what sobriety means and describes strategies that can support your long-term recovery. It also covers tips on how to deal with the challenges you’ll face on your journey to sobriety. Most rehab treatment centers discuss and recommend aftercare services following initial addiction treatment.

The Benefits of Living a Sober Life

As you go through your sobriety journey, you will have good days and bad days, and setbacks are part of the journey. It’s helpful to remember your “why” and consider writing it down. Maybe you even found yourself in legal trouble due to your drinking. Everyone has their own reasons why they stopped abusing substances. Keep reading for three additional cornerstones to a new lifestyle. Instead of thinking, “I won’t be able to drink with my friends,” remind yourself that cutting out alcohol can energize you, leaving you open to socializing in more rewarding ways.

• It’s also helpful to change your environment—for instance, avoid going to bars.
• This article discusses what sobriety means and describes strategies that can support your long-term recovery.
• One of the benefits of a sober life is not wasting good money on a good buzz.
• Sobriety may refer to being clear of immediate or residual effects of any mind-altering substances.
• People in recovery generally agree that abstinence is necessary but remains just a starting point for a new, sober life.

The Cost of Addiction

I got out of debt, started a company that provides digital recovery, launched a podcast, and am in the middle of writing a book. The best way forward for your recovery from alcohol or substance use is to incorporate a wide variety of strategies that will help foster success. Remember to care for yourself, seek supportive relationships, and consider seeking help from a therapist.

Learn to Manage Stress

If getting drinks with friends or dates has traditionally occupied a lot of your time, you’ll need to determine how to navigate these situations. Regular social drinking has become so normalized that many people find it more unusual Sober House when someone chooses not to drink outside of health or religious reasons. “Most people find more power in themselves as they grow confident handling stress, sleep, and social situations without relying on alcohol,” he says.

• Their process of getting sober will depend on numerous factors, including the severity of drug or alcohol use disorder and long-term goals of sobriety.
• No woman is an island I soon realized and so decided I needed to get out of the apartment and find some fun things to do before I became all Grey Gardens (minus the Hamptons location).
• Whether it’s to improve your physical health or state of mind, it can be beneficial to explore the role alcohol plays in your life.
• Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available.
• It takes time and effort to regain trust and repair any harm that may have been caused.

Sobriety may refer to being clear of immediate or residual effects of any mind-altering substances. Colloquially, it may refer to a specific substance that is the concern of a particular recovery support program[6] (e.g. alcohol, marijuana, opiates, or tobacco). « Clean and sober » is a commonly used phrase, which refers to someone having an extended period without alcohol or other drugs in their body. Many people who quit drinking find themselves with more free time than usual. Dedicating this time to self-care and satisfying hobbies can help you stay motivated to maintain a sober curious lifestyle.

Disengage from Triggering Enabling Relationships

It’s a term that describes people who are curious about different levels of living a sober lifestyle. Managing stress and anxiety without turning to substances is crucial for maintaining sobriety. Some effective strategies include practicing relaxation techniques such as deep breathing or meditation, seeking professional help, and engaging in stress-reducing activities such as yoga or journaling. Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) involves the use of medication to help manage withdrawal symptoms and cravings. MAT can be an effective option for those struggling with opioid or alcohol addiction. Working with a healthcare provider is substantial to determine if MAT is the right choice for you.

Tips to Help You Stay Sober

Although the door to recovery remains open after a relapse—as long as a person survives such dangerous waters—relapse is not part of recovery. At the same time, however, the slip and slide process that leads to a relapse does happen in recovery. It’s important to reiterate that being sober curious is different from sobriety. Some people do this for health or religious reasons, others due to personal or family experiences with addiction. On the other hand, being sober curious means reflecting on why, when and how you consume alcohol. It involves being curious about sobriety—usually for health and wellness reasons.

• Outpatient rehab attendees are at greater risk of experiencing triggers that challenge their recovery.
• Living a sober life involves making healthy habits and lifestyle changes.
• I can honestly say sobriety is the best thing I have ever done for myself.
• It’s not just your drinking buddies and drug dealers who can get you into trouble—sometimes those who are closest to you can contribute to a relapse.
• This is according to a new generation of kinda-sorta temporary temperance crusaders, whose attitudes toward the hooch is somewhere between Carrie Nation’s and Carrie Bradshaw’s.

Embarking on the journey of leading a sober life is a profound and courageous step. This is according to a new generation of kinda-sorta temporary temperance crusaders, whose attitudes toward the hooch is somewhere between Carrie Nation’s and Carrie Bradshaw’s. To them, sobriety is something less (and more) than a practice relevant only to clinically determined alcohol abusers. Now it https://thebostondigest.com/top-5-advantages-of-staying-in-a-sober-living-house/ can also just be something cool and healthful to try, like going vegan, or taking an Iyengar yoga class. If you find it difficult to avoid alcohol despite your best efforts, a good next step might involve reaching out to a professional who specializes in recognizing and treating alcohol dependence. You can also try out 12-step program like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or SMART Recovery.