Sobriety Strategies: 13 Tips for Staying Sober
Can you get sober alone, without 12-step or other support groups? Once you’ve decided to make a change, it can be tempting to try to get it over with as quickly as possible. But there’s a reason many people continue to identify as alcoholics long after drinking their last drop. For those with lighter drinking habits, the symptoms may be manageable. But for those with heavier habits, it’s best to either cut back gradually, or have a medical professional monitor you.
- This slows the rate at which alcohol enters the intestines and is subsequently absorbed.
- Therapy combined with an AUD program tends to lead to a high recovery success rate.
- Choosing sobriety is a monumental step towards a healthier and happier life.
So, it’s extra helpful to have a support network available to you when you need it. A person who is getting sober may be getting sober from one substance or all substances. 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. Sobriety is a general term for staying away from mood- and mind-altering alcohol withdrawal substances, though there is no commonly agreed-upon medical definition in terms of what sobriety means. People in recovery generally agree that abstinence is necessary but remains just a starting point for a new, sober life. Whether it’s for health, relationship, financial, or any number of reasons, consider creating a list on your phone of the reasons why you want to get and stay sober.
Rebuilding Relationships and Improving Overall Quality of Life
You need to find new activities and people to socialize with if all of your previous social activities revolve around boredom. Especially big mistakes that cost us our relationships our freedom. For example, one of my worst habits was needing to have a drink in my hand. I tried to replace it with water, but it was too easy to drink quickly and lacked flavor. If you grew up in a society where this is the norm, then it’s already an expectation that you’ll drink in response to nearly every situation imaginable. I admitted that I was an alcoholic, that I was scared, and that I needed to make a change.
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It’s not easy, but survive withdrawal to get sober and then, the benefits of being sober will help you to stay sober long afterwards. There’s a reason the sober community is as vocal as they are about sobriety and never wanting to go back. By day 4 for most people, physical symptoms subside and you’re able to function soberly — for the first time in a long time. And this is what makes getting sober so different from staying sober.
Attend a 12-step Program or Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)
Talk to your therapist, other healthcare provider, or sponsor about how to deal with your anger in ways that won’t cause you to harm yourself or others or turn to alcohol or drugs. Early sobriety may come with feelings of fatigue and the stress of dealing with challenges (people, places, and things that stimulate the urge to use). It’s impossible to know how you’ll react and how your life will change when getting and staying sober. Keep in mind that self-help strategies are helpful tools, but you may need additional help to remain sober long-term. Although it might be safe for people with mild withdrawal symptoms, it can be dangerous to people with alcohol dependence.
Plus, as some side effects can be life-threatening, you don’t want to risk death when you could’ve received help. Otherwise, for those who have a more moderate addiction and just want to white knuckle their way through sobriety, you need to survive the initial withdrawal stages. Withdrawal from heavy alcohol use can be dangerous and, in some cases, life-threatening. It is strongly advised to seek a formal treatment program or medical supervision, particularly if you’ve been a heavy drinker or have experienced withdrawal symptoms before. This can provide a safer environment for detoxification, with medical professionals available to manage and treat any complications. If you’re addicted to alcohol, it’s unlikely that you’ll be able to recover without some form of addiction treatment.
Ask For Support From a Loved One
Choosing sobriety is an incredible decision, and one that can be made over and over again. The clinicians on the Monument platform are ready to help support you at every step. Building a support network can have a huge impact on your journey and can include friends, family, professionals and peers. alcohol relapse signs symptoms stages causes and stats Keeping the lines of communication open between you and your support network can be especially helpful when cravings arise and allows for ongoing, meaningful support at every step. If you’ve been thinking about changing your relationship with alcohol, you may be wondering how and where to start.
