That said, while “recovery” and “sobriety” are different terms, they’re also used interchangeably in some instances. Plus, being in recovery typically involves maintaining sobriety, so the two are somewhat intertwined. However, others striving for or in sobriety may find themselves asking “Why is sobriety so hard?
A large network of support is necessary to stay sober, but your biggest supporter needs to be you. When you feel yourself needing a drink, start reminding yourself what you’re thankful for. You can do this out loud or silently to yourself, but start reciting all the things you’re thankful for and appreciative of. Studies have shown that gratitude can improve your mental wellbeing and actually help you make better decisions. Two hugely negative emotions that undoubtedly contribute to relapse is “shame” and “guilt”. It’s not a denial of who you are or what you’ve done, but a celebration of who you are now and how far you’ve come.
Resources for addiction, Mental Health, and Navigating Recovery
“Any drugs you are taking without alcohol are safer, period,” Grinspoon says, finally. One of my favourite alcohol-free brands is Three Spirit, who create adult-feeling drinks that actually make an impact on your mind and body. I also learnt that it’s impossible to ‘drink yourself happy’ after a bad day or when you’re going through a rough time. I decided on three months off the booze (one didn’t seem enough) but ended up embarking on a journey that changed my relationship with alcohol forever. In total, I was sober for fifteen months – and this is what I learned along the way… I’m an addiction/recovery / mental health blogger and a speculative fiction/nonfiction writer in North Texas.
- I set the bar way too high (for anything, really), and then I find myself getting super negative and not being able to do what I’ve set out to do.
- This is one of the reasons, the I Am Sober app focuses on celebrate your milestones, so you see the immediate reward as you build to longer and longer milestones.
- But there are some general things you can expect to happen.
- 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.
- But, she hopes the community involved in Sober in Knoxville can be an example to those who may want to stop drinking even after January.
You can try a combination of exercise routines and practices like yoga, Pilates, or dancing to find out what works best for you. Healthy eating doesn’t necessarily mean going on a strict diet. Avoid overeating and eliminate or reduce sugary and junk food from your diet. Admitting that there’s a need for a change in your life can be one of the most challenging parts of getting sober.
Make New Friends
If I’d been drinking, the social anxiety would have melted away. I’d have had the confidence to waltz up to the stand without fear of ordering in a foreign language. But, as it was, I wasn’t drinking, and I was nervous.
Again, if you’re fearing a relapse due to guilt, distress and shame, then close your eyes and imagine this scenario. Picture your past self standing before you, then take your love being sober around drinkers and compassion and hold it in a ball of light in front of you. In your imagination, give the ball to your past self and watch as your love surrounds and eventually engulfs them.
Staying Sober Often Means Getting (And Talking to) a Sponsor
Essentially, it’s a looser outlook on sobriety than traditional “total abstinence” methods, which has been gaining traction in some addiction recovery circles. I also had a brilliant therapist, who I was seeing for a bereavement but who helped me stay on track with sobriety, too. She made me dig deep into some of the reasons why my mental health has sometimes been shakier than a Power Plate since my teenage years.