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. Having a sponsor can allow you to have someone in your corner with experience who can hold you accountable.
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Recovery can become much easier when you live an organized lifestyle. You can start by setting up daily and weekly routines and making sure you follow them. In addition, you can set goals for yourself that could be daily or future goals. Sticking to routines and using them to help you achieve goals can help to distract you from alcohol as well as give new motivation to stay away from it.
How Long Does it Take to Feel the Effects of Not Drinking?
As mentioned elsewhere in this article, maintaining relationships is integral to sobriety. If you have a tendency to isolate, make sure that you set aside time each day to connect. For anyone unable to access our beachside treatment facility, we also provide virtual therapy. Alternatively, you may be looking for advice on how to maintain sobriety when your friends are drinking.
Tips to Help You Quit Drinking Cold Turkey
Get your mind off drugs and sober alcoholic meaning alcohol, by walking into nature and enjoying the colors, the sights, and sounds. Have an open mind, but for a few of us in recovery, this does work. When you catch yourself thinking of drinking, of wanting nothing more than to have one glass of whiskey, then stop and close your eyes. Take that thought and imagine it as a fish and let it float out of your vision. It begins a process of “thinking of thinking” and as strange as it may seem, it helps pull you out so you can calmly observe from afar.
Alcohol Addiction Treatment
- When you’re honest with yourself and your loved ones, it gives everyone the opportunity to make better decisions and be more aware of your emotional state.
- You may find yourself in a situation like a family gathering or hanging out with friends and alcohol is present.
- Along with hydration, giving your body plenty of rest can help it cope with the withdrawal symptoms.
- You may want to reflect on this list when you feel cravings to drink.
You may also experience what is commonly called sobriety fatigue, which refers to the overall exhaustion that may occur as a result of the emotional and physical stress of staying sober. So, it’s extra helpful to have a support network available to you when Oxford House you need it. Having a significant other, family members, or friends can be the key to staying strong when facing triggers or tough times. Finding a support group or therapist can also be beneficial, as these people can share their experiences or offer professional support. Individuals with a strong support system, such as friends and family, typically have an easier time quitting alcohol. Another factor that can affect the timeline is access to treatment options, such as therapy, medication-assisted treatment (MAT), and support groups like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA).
- Financial troubles, problems finding and keeping employment, and heightened relationship issues are just a few of the negative consequences that can result from alcohol abuse.
- Staying sober is a 24 hour ordeal and every minute, you learn to identify triggers, temptations, environmental hazards and — sometimes — the welcome distractions to help you stay sober.
- When you quit drinking alcohol, the first few days are typically the most intense.
- If you have recovered from your alcohol addiction, you can still attend support groups like AA.
When you’re struggling to stay sober, meditation can help you refocus and bring a healthy stillness to you. It stops you from fidgeting or thinking of scenarios where you’d end up drinking. For many people who complete their stay at a rehabilitation center, therapy becomes part of the outpatient program. It’s continual treatment to help you get better, continue checking in and isolate why you turned to alcohol in the first place and how to avoid triggers going forward. Therapy is a great (and safe) outlet to discuss your struggles honestly.
- Recovery centers like Dove Recovery, supportive family and friends, and even therapists can be the key to accountability and encouragement.
- Such symptoms are often related to mood and may include irritability, anxiety, depression, sleep problems, and fatigue.
- However, there is always hope and the potential for a healthier well-being and a more enriching life.
- Coping strategies are meant to adapt as you and your circumstances change.
Coping with Withdrawal Symptoms
If you want to know how to stay sober there is no better person to ask than someone who has done it before. Find a friend or family member who would like to join you and get started. Set a few goals and watch yourself reap the rewards over time. Exercise is a great way to relieve stress and can combat anxiety by releasing endorphins. For someone in recovery sobriety often means lifelong abstinence.
Your environment plays a significant role in your sobriety. If you’re surrounded by triggers or people who encourage your old habits, staying sober can be a constant uphill battle. Break your long-term goals down into smaller, more manageable short-term goals. These might be as simple as making it through a day without drinking, attending a support group meeting, or learning a new coping strategy. If you’re struggling to stay sober, don’t hesitate to seek professional help. When you embrace sobriety, you say no to substances that harm your body and mind.