Are you struggling with addiction, or know someone who is? Maybe you are trying to stay sober and avoid relapse. Whatever the case may be, our blog post can help! Here are 12 tips for how to stay sober:
1) Get involved in activities outside of bars – Join sports teams, volunteer at your local library, become a member of an organization that you’re passionate about. Having healthy outlets will decrease the chance that you’ll turn to alcohol/drugs as a way to pass time and relieve stress.
2) Take up hobbies – Find something you enjoy doing such as exploring hiking trails near your home or trying out a new cooking recipe. Having fun hobbies that you enjoy will help keep your mind off the substances as well as give you something to do when you aren’t working/going to school.
3) Go on a nature walk – Our society is increasingly surrounded by concrete and technology, which can lead to stress and isolation. Taking time out of your day to explore nature can be extremely beneficial for your mental health. It helps you unwind and gives you a chance to bond with loved ones or friends. Moreover, it is much easier (and healthier) than finding a way to relieve stress by consuming drugs/alcohol.
4) Write down positive affirmations – Positive affirmations are so important; they can really help you stay sober. Remind yourself every morning that you made the decision to stop using drugs and that you have what it takes to stay sober. Affirmations will reinforce positive feelings about recovery, which in turn can decrease the likelihood of relapse due to negative thoughts/feelings while reducing substance abuse.
5) Try medication – If you are currently suffering from an addiction and want to stop, consult your doctor to see if they can prescribe any medications that will help relieve some of the symptoms associated with withdrawal. Medication can decrease cravings and give you a mental/emotional boost for the first few days after detox.
6) Talk to others – Talking to others who are in recovery or have been sober for a long time can help you stay clean. Talk about your fears, goals, and what’s holding you back. Having someone to talk to will help reduce the feelings of loneliness that often come with addiction; plus it will give you a chance to meet new friends!
7) Sober house – Living in a sober house is another option to the question of how to get sober from alcohol. If you are struggling with an addiction, but don’t want to return home immediately after rehab, consider living in a sober house. If you are wondering what is a sober house, it is a home for those who are working to stay clean and sober. There are many Sober Living Homes in Hollywood to choose from.
8) Take care of yourself by eating well and getting enough rest – Being sick and running low on sleep are only going to make the symptoms of withdrawal worse. Eating well will help give you energy in order to feel better during your recovery; it will also help prevent some of the shakes/nausea associated with detox.
9) See a therapist – Talking to a professional will allow you to get advice from a third party and provide an outlet for any emotions or feelings that you might be struggling with. If you’re having trouble trying to stay sober, seeing a therapist can help give you the encouragement/motivation you need to keep going.
10) Avoid people who aren’t supportive of your sobriety – Some people don’t understand or accept the fact that you stopped using drugs. If someone is constantly around you and pressuring you to drink/do drugs, it will be much harder for you to stay sober.
11) Be realistic, but positive about your recovery – Set small goals for yourself and try not to get down on yourself. What worked for someone else might not work for you but its okay to try something and if it doesn’t work, find a new strategy. You are in charge of your recovery, so be positive about where you’re at while still being realistic about the struggles that lie ahead.
12) Don’t give up! – Its hard, but if you stay positive and keep trying, eventually you will make it through. Surrounding yourself with people who understand your struggles can help get you past some of the hurdles that arise during recovery.
Hang in there and keep up the good work! It’s not easy, but you can do it. We hope these 12 tips helped provide some insight into how to stay sober after going through a difficult time with addiction.
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