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A “good” alcoholic does not need an excuse to drink. If you find yourself slipping up, stay as calm as possible and get right back on track. Remember these 10 tips for staying sober to help you in your recovery journey.
Other people won’t be able to tell the difference just by looking at your glass. If you recently had surgery or an injury, your doctor will be careful with the pain medication they give you, because some of those drugs can make you more likely to relapse. Ask your doctor about nonmedical ways to manage your pain, like massage or acupuncture. This may mean that you don’t spend time with someone you used to use drugs with or go somewhere you used to drink. You might take a new way home from work, for example, to keep from going past your favorite old hangout. All recovering addicts have a journey that starts on day 1 and lasts for the rest of their lives.
Remind Yourself Why You Became Sober
Proper nutrition and regular exercise improve our moods and make us feel better overall. If you haven’t been already, eat well and work out as part of your recovery process. Some say even replacing tips to stay sober your addiction with a healthy habit such as exercising can help tremendously. CNN even reported on one man who replaced drinking with running and went from extreme addiction to a model of health.
- Moderation only makes sense for those who are not dependent on whichever substance is at hand.
- When we default to alcohol to manage our emotions, we don’t develop the skills we need to navigate life successfully.
- Schedule a call with your sponsor on the morning of the holiday.
In this process, we commit to giving people the benefit of the doubt, to setting boundaries, and to using discernment. We may decide to trust people until they give us a reason not to. If they do, we can refuse to take that behavior personally. When we’re drinking a lot, we may reach for alcohol or head to the bar to satisfy these feelings. When we stop drinking, our needs remain the same, but the solutions are different.
My Tips for Staying Sober in Early Recovery: Lessons Learned from St. Patrick’s Day
Many local recovery clubs have meeting marathons during the holidays. Use phone meetings if attending face-to-face isn’t a possibility. https://ecosoberhouse.com/ Tell family you’re listening to a game or podcast. Visit Al-Anon’s holiday link for details on the Al-Anon phone bridge.
You can do this out loud or silently to yourself, but start reciting all the things you’re thankful for and appreciative of. Studies have shown that gratitude can improve your mental wellbeing and actually help you make better decisions. Two hugely negative emotions that undoubtedly contribute to relapse is “shame” and “guilt”.
Tips to Stay Sober
If left unchecked, anger can have a negative impact on your health and your lasting sobriety. People in recovery from a substance use disorder frequently have problems meeting work-related responsibilities, maintaining employment, and managing money. If you were active in your addiction for a period of time, you may have developed financial problems. A therapist can help you learn new coping skills, develop new thinking patterns, and address any co-occurring mental health conditions that may make recovery more difficult. 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.
While these are well-known, you can often find other support groups online or locate apps that help you build connections with other people. If you become injured or require surgery, you’ll want to pay close attention to the medications your doctor prescribes. Your doctor should know your history and be mindful of what medications they provide. Additionally, you can advocate for yourself by asking if there are other ways to manage pain, like acupuncture, massage and physical therapy. The editorial staff of DrugAbuse.com is comprised of addiction content experts from American Addiction Centers .