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Sobriety Strategies: 13 Tips for Staying Sober

Your goals become clearer, and you start finding ways to be happy again. We don’t know what it looks like, which makes us nervous.

While it’s true that some relationships in your life may not be salvageable, many friends and family members are likely willing to work with you to repair the damage that has been done and start over. In fact, you might be surprised to find that many of your loved ones have been waiting to welcome you back into their lives with open arms. Oftentimes, when we’re drinking or using drugs, it’s because we don’t feel like we’re able to cope with life on our own. We may feel weak or unloved, and so we use these substances to cope. Drugs create distance between a user and his or her life. You may have had things or people in your life to make you happy, but in your using days, darkness constantly overpowered that potential for joy. You drank or used drugs in efforts to feel something, but most often it just pushed you farther away from those that were closest.

You’ll Get the Opportunity to Repair Broken Relationships

https://ecosoberhouse.com/ living isn’t just interesting; it’s fulfilling and vibrant. The benefits of being sober include real relationships and experiences that you might otherwise miss out on, along with many other good reasons to be sober. Acknowledging and celebrating the hard work of recovery is helpful for keeping you motivated and reminding you why you took this brave step toward sobriety in the first place. Just be sure that your rewards don’t involve drugs or alcohol. Instead, focus on things, experiences, and activities that will support your new, healthy lifestyle.

Is being sober difficult?

Some people may find that getting sober is difficult, while others may have an easier time. The level of difficulty depends on several factors. Relapse, or a return to using after trying to quit, can threaten your sobriety. The relapse rate for substance use disorders is estimated to be between 40% and 60%.

Not only that but sober life life these days is becoming a lot more of a norm for many. A sober life is always better than one spent fighting with addiction. You’ll have more clarity, focus, drive – and you’ll slowly start to build your relationships back up to go on living as a productive member of society. Living sober means abstaining from all mind-altering substances, including alcohol, prescription drugs, and street drugs. It is a day-by-day process that requires you to focus on the present rather than getting overwhelmed by the long-term. Aside from a “fevered couple months” when she first stopped drinking, Sophie never took comfort in overtly positive, wellness-oriented messaging around sobriety.

Coming to Terms with What a Sober Life Entails

Consistent drug and alcohol abuse take a toll on your appearance, wreaking havoc on your skin, weight, teeth, eyes, hair, and more. Interestingly enough, you may not even realize all the negative effects drugs and alcohol have had on your appearance until you stop using them and start to see changes. With time, living a sober life can take years off of your appearance, which can also help boost your self-esteem. Although improving your appearance shouldn’t be the only reason you choose to get sober and stay that way, it’s a great perk that comes with it. Sobriety tends to improve interactions and connections with others.

suffering from addiction

It felt like I was constantly apologizing for someone else’s rude behavior. Since then I have learned how to have fun and deal with stress in healthy ways and I have found productive outlets for negative feelings. Being comfortable with communicating can empower you to reach out and seek guidance and assistance from your peers, support system, and addiction treatment specialists, and mental health professionals. Through today’s blog, discover what sober life means to you and what things in life hold significant meaning.

Drink: The Intimate Relationship between Women and Alcohol by Ann Dowsett Johnston

Or we still believe, deep down, that we don’t deserve it. Maybe you were a proper jackass in the past and think you need to punish yourself for it for the rest of your life. In the past, I drank heavily because the anxiety in my brain was overbearing. I “worst case scenario’d” every single thought inside my head. I’ve recently started a new business after moving back to States, and I’m frequently scared shitless by it, but I keep on trucking along and putting myself out there, even if it means I make a mistake .

journey to sobriety

SELF does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Any information published on this website or by this brand is not intended as a substitute for medical advice, and you should not take any action before consulting with a healthcare professional. Becoming sober isn’t just about abstaining from alcohol.

I learned that I can actually be responsible with my finances.

However, this can be a double-edged sword because substance abuse can also cause these issues. When you cut drugs and alcohol out of your life completely, you are forced to face these painful emotions and difficult circumstances without substances. But as you learn how to cope more healthily, you’ll eventually find that you feel less stressed and anxious overall. On top of restoring relationships with old friends and family, sobriety will also provide you plenty of opportunities to make new friends.

  • You can take in every second, and not feel like your life is passing you by in a whirlwind of blurred memories.
  • When I was drinking, it never occurred to me that I was an introvert.
  • We also teach life skills, spiritual, and career education.
  • For many people who don’t have healthy relationships with themselves, substance misuse can be a way to mask that discomfort.
  • Chronically abusing substances has many more negative effects on human health.
  • A vital component of a successful sobriety lifestyle is developing healthy relationships with people in your life.