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You’ll also build your self-esteem by sticking with your decision to stay sober. Nobody likes to think that they might end up with liver disease or other substance-related health problems. But people are diagnosed with these diseases every day, and if you abuse alcohol or drugs regularly, chances are high that you’ll eventually be one of them. When you’re sober, you don’t have to worry about developing life-threatening complications from your habits.
Do I have to be sober forever?
Wondering if you have to stay sober forever is a common debate after leaving rehab. Thinking about forever can be overwhelming. But, in reality, you can stay sober for the rest of your life, but some people might find it easier to focus on it one day at a time. After all, recovery is all about taking the first step.
One common mistake for those who are new to alcohol and drug recovery is substituting a new compulsive behavior for their old one. People new to recovery can find themselves approaching their new diet, exercise program, job, and even participation in support groups with a compulsion that echoes addiction. Most people who make their way into recovery have left a lot of pain and suffering in their wake. Feeling guilty or ashamed of past behavior or actions during active addiction is natural and healthy. 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.
Final Thoughts on Maintaining Sobriety and Living the Sober Life
When you can develop healthy relationships with, and get support from, your friends, family, and lovers, you will be able to keep yourself from engaging in self-destructive behavior. It affects your physical health in almost every conceivable way. You may not exercise because you’d rather drink or you’re spending time nursing hangover symptoms.
- So if all of your friends drink alongside you, then there’s no issue, right?
- Many people find that faith in a”Higher Power” helps get them through the day.
- Consider taking a break from friends who might, whether they mean to or not, make you feel pressured to drink socially.
- There is something about the addiction recovery process that makes you grateful for the little things in life.
Your sleep patterns may be altered and you may not think about eating healthy when you’re under the influence. Substance misuse can also affect your immune system and your digestive system. Without the influence of substances, you have the opportunity to enjoy sober relationships while ending toxic relationships. You can form authentic relationships built on mutual respect, interests, and understanding rather than just who is willing or available to drink or use drugs with you.
You avoid alcohol- or drug-related health problems.
Sobriety, on the other hand, is a complete lifestyle change. It’s a life-long commitment to living a healthier, more productive life. It’s about finding a balance between the things you enjoy and what you have to give up. It’s about making an active choice not to do certain things and living a lifestyle that will help you get out of a cycle of self-destructive behaviors that no longer serve you. You can remember everything and not feel that sense of terror of waking up and not remembering what you said or did the previous night.
While you were actively addicted, you likely had poor boundaries that contributed to self-harming behaviors like substance abuse. Part of living a sober life is establishing healthy boundaries and understanding the negative or positive impact of the people and things you choose to surround yourself with. As you continue to live a sober life, setting these boundaries will become more natural and you will reap the benefits daily. It’s no secret that the financial cost of addictive substances really adds up quickly. As your addiction worsened, you likely spent more and more on drugs or alcohol, eventually blowing hundreds or even thousands of dollars in a matter of weeks or months. Now that you’re sober, you’re probably saving buku bucks every month, which you can put towards your savings, healthy groceries, a vacation you’ve always wanted to take, or something else that has a special meaning to you.
You also need to keep an open mind.
We have facilities for sober living in Austin, Houston, and Colorado Springs ready to assist you in living your sober lifestyle. Call Eudaimonia Sober Living Homes at (888) 424 – 4029 for more information on the admissions process and current room availability. At Silver Linings Recovery Center, we provide a variety of inpatient and outpatient addiction treatment programs and therapy services to help you get back to living a sober life. Our addiction treatment programs cater to people addicted to alcohol, prescription drugs, and multiple illegal drugs. We even provide detox and dual diagnosis treatment for those that need it.
A vital component of a successful sobriety lifestyle is developing healthy relationships with people in your life. Many people struggle with maintaining healthy relationships, and this Selecting the Most Suitable Sober House for Addiction Recovery can be a key reason for relapse. Yes, living a sober life does require that you abstain from using drugs and/or alcohol. However, sobriety and abstinence aren’t mutually exclusive.
I learned that I can actually be responsible with my finances.
You will gradually learn to pick up the phone whenever the urge to drink hits or you are struck by anger, grief or other triggering emotions. The preferred treatment for alcoholism or addiction usually means removing yourself from the environment where you used to use. Many people go to rehab so they are out of the way of triggers which may make them want to pick up again. If you are withdrawing from opiates you need medical supervision.
- Most people who make their way into recovery have left a lot of pain and suffering in their wake.
- ” I didn’t understand I could decline to answer or that I didn’t have to make sense to everyone.
- Many people have a hard time making the transition after rehab, but all hope is not lost.
- Choosing sobriety is the easy part, navigating the thoughts you were previously dulling down with alcohol is the tricky part.
For those of us with more challenging mental health issues, maybe it includes a treatment plan to help you cut through the fog. There are a lot of things that happen naturally when you quit drinking alcohol. You feel better (at least you SHOULD) because you’re not hungover and laying at death’s door every other morning. Meet with your family or friends, discuss the location and take action. Make sure you start to save some vacation money and then really do take yourself on vacation. It is good to leave the rest of your life on hold while on vacation and enjoy your time, because we all need a break from time to time.