Fact: sobriety is more than just deciding not to abuse alcohol or drugs. Instead, it is a lifestyle that requires commitment and hard work. Recovery–that long road that leads to sobriety–is not a straight path. There will be setbacks and relapses, but the most important goal is achieving sobriety.
Tips for Staying Sober
Rise Above Treatment offers a sober living program that will support you in your quest to living a happy and healthy life while remaining drug or alcohol-free. If you are ready to remain sober, read the five tips listed below.
Know Your Triggers
If you want to remain sober, you must be able to identify your triggers. Your triggers are what originally made you so vulnerable that you needed to abuse drugs or alcohol. And it is important that you realize and even embrace your triggers, so you don’t relapse. Triggers are usually emotion-based. Feelings such as fear, stress, anxiety over finances, and relationships are all present in our lives. The real challenge is learning to manage their existence in your life in a positive way.
Develop New Routines
If you want to stay sober, you will have to avoid much of your old life. You will have to avoid old routines–holiday celebrations that included substance use and people that supported your addiction–as these are triggers that will cause you to relapse. Anything that would compromise your sobriety should be avoided. But just because you are avoiding your old life does not mean that you cannot have fun. Find new hobbies and friends. People who are also in recovery are great for peer support.
One of the most difficult aspects of recovery is learning to live without substance use. Recovery takes a lot of commitment, patience, and time. Don’t be discouraged because you have to live life without people and places that were once dear to you. Instead, remember how those people and places supported your addiction.
Get Daily Exercise & Eat a Healthy Diet
It’s no secret that frequent exercise can help you look and feel better. Exercise reduces stress and helps you sleep easier. Exercise also helps you feel much more content and able to handle life’s challenges. Starting an exercise routine does not need to be overwhelming. You can choose an activity such as swimming, walking or yoga. Participating in this activity at a scheduled time will help you develop new routines that fit your new life. Fueling your body involves eating healthy and nutrient-dense meals. Healthy eating habits will give you energy and promote muscle development.
Acknowledge and Address Your Financial and Legal Issues
Staying sober also means holding yourself accountable and making smart choices. When you were addicted to drugs or alcohol, you might have been arrested or failed to pay some bills. Now that you are sober, those financial and legal troubles are not going away. Instead, you have the responsibility to seek help. If you avoid these problems, the emotions associated with them will become triggers that could cause you to relapse. Common financial issues include:
- Unpaid bills
- Owing money
- Bad credit
These financial concerns may feel impossible to manage, but taking the steps you need to take to get your finances in order will help you tremendously in the long run. Seek the support of financial advisors, career coaches, attorneys, and life coaches. Many of these businesses offer their services for free through rehabilitation programs.
There’s Life After Rehab with Rise Above Treatment
Recovery is never easy. When someone relapses, they are often seen as weak by their friends and family. But making the decision to keep pushing yourself to live a sober life is essential to your survival. Rise Above Treatment can support your life after rehab. Our sober living treatment program will help you navigate triggers while also introducing you to a community of like-minded people. Remember that you possess the power to remain sober. Contact us today at 855.948.6325 to get started.