Being sober is a lengthy process, and it takes hard work. It may take months or even years to get sober and keep yourself that way. Understanding this before beginning your recovery journey is important so that you don’t feel hopeless, frustrated, or defeated when things don’t go as planned. Nonetheless, if you’re ready to live your sober lifestyle to its fullest, here are some tips to help you get started.
1. Surround Yourself With Positive Influences
Living a sober lifestyle is all about finding the right support. Whether it’s your partner, parents, siblings, or friends – you need someone who will be there for you. You need to surround yourself with people that bring positivity into your life. It might sometimes feel selfish, but stay away from people constantly involved in drama or challenges that get you down.
2. Stay Focused On Sobriety
You may be experiencing a multitude of new emotions and sensations right now. It can be challenging to feel so many different things at once, especially when your emotions are heightened by alcohol withdrawal. The key to staying sober is not dwelling on these feelings or thoughts and instead focusing on what matters: keeping yourself safe and healthy.
You have worked hard to achieve sobriety, so keep yourself grounded by reminding yourself why it’s important for your health today and tomorrow.
3. Learn to Say “No”
While you want to return to normalcy, the real world is anything but normal. Learn to say “no” to activities, places, and people that trigger you. Focus on accepting invitations that promote sobriety and help you find your new self in sobriety.
4. Focus on New (Healthier) Habits
Like you learned in rehab or throughout your recovery journey, healthier habits are the core of sobriety. Try to start with small healthy habits like eating a wholesome breakfast, exercising 30 minutes a day, or going for a walk every other day. These small habits will help you stay focused on your physical and mental health as you navigate those early sobriety days.
5. Stay Busy with (Sober) Family and Friends
Speaking of sobriety days, you need a plan. You’ll also need to actively work on finding healthy ways to fill your time when cravings hit or when boredom sets in. It’s important that as soon as these feelings arrive or arise, instead of turning to drugs or alcohol for relief, you reach out for help. Contact friends or family members who understand what you’re going through so they can provide support if needed.
6. Get Involved in Activities That Promote Sobriety
Likewise, you want to participate in activities that promote sobriety. For example, instead of accepting an invitation to a bar, try to visit a museum, zoo, park, or another place where alcohol or drugs aren’t expected. Volunteering opportunities are great activities to focus on sobriety. Not to mention, gratitude and giving back to your community will give you a newfound sense of belonging that can help you stay sober in the long run.
7. Don’t Dwell in the Past
Remember how grateful you should be for your sobriety. It’s easy to forget how good life can be when faced with addiction and its consequences every day, but taking a moment now and then to recognize just how far you’ve come is an important part of staying sober for the long haul.
8. Join a Support Group and Find a Sponsor
Attending support meetings and staying in touch with your sponsor are key to living a sober lifestyle. Even after completing the 12-Steps, attending support group meetings can be an incredible resource to enjoy sober living. These meetings are an excellent reminder as to why you started your recovery journey in the first place. And, remember, you can always call your sponsor whenever you feel you’re falling off track.
9. Focus on the Positives of Sobriety
Whenever you feel lost in your recovery journey, focus on the real-life positives of sobriety. For example, after being sober, you can see your family, hold a job, remember your children’s recitals, connect with your partner, and so on. Every so often, sit down for a few minutes and write down how being sober has changed your life. Remembering these things will help you stay strong in your sobriety journey.
10. Consider Joining an Aftercare Program
If you feel you’re not ready to give sober living a try by yourself, consider an aftercare program. Many rehab centers offer aftercare recovery programs as an extension of rehab. These programs offer structure and reliability as you connect with others in early sobriety in a somewhat flexible environment designed to help you find your place in sobriety.
How Do You Live a Sober Lifestyle?
Being sober is a lengthy process, and it takes hard work. It may take months or even years to get sober and keep yourself that way. Understanding this before beginning your recovery journey is important so that you don’t feel hopeless, frustrated, or defeated when things don’t go as planned. Nonetheless, if you’re ready to live your sober lifestyle to its fullest, here are some tips to help you get started.
1. Surround Yourself With Positive Influences
Living a sober lifestyle is all about finding the right support. Whether it’s your partner, parents, siblings, or friends – you need someone who will be there for you. You need to surround yourself with people that bring positivity into your life. It might sometimes feel selfish, but stay away from people constantly involved in drama or challenges that get you down.
2. Stay Focused On Sobriety
You may be experiencing a multitude of new emotions and sensations right now. It can be challenging to feel so many different things at once, especially when your emotions are heightened by alcohol withdrawal. The key to staying sober is not dwelling on these feelings or thoughts and instead focusing on what matters: keeping yourself safe and healthy.
You have worked hard to achieve sobriety, so keep yourself grounded by reminding yourself why it’s important for your health today and tomorrow.
3. Learn to Say “No”
While you want to return to normalcy, the real world is anything but normal. Learn to say “no” to activities, places, and people that trigger you. Focus on accepting invitations that promote sobriety and help you find your new self in sobriety.
4. Focus on New (Healthier) Habits
Like you learned in rehab or throughout your recovery journey, healthier habits are the core of sobriety. Try to start with small healthy habits like eating a wholesome breakfast, exercising 30 minutes a day, or going for a walk every other day. These small habits will help you stay focused on your physical and mental health as you navigate those early sobriety days.
5. Stay Busy with (Sober) Family and Friends
Speaking of sobriety days, you need a plan. You’ll also need to actively work on finding healthy ways to fill your time when cravings hit or when boredom sets in. It’s important that as soon as these feelings arrive or arise, instead of turning to drugs or alcohol for relief, you reach out for help. Contact friends or family members who understand what you’re going through so they can provide support if needed.
6. Get Involved in Activities That Promote Sobriety
Likewise, you want to participate in activities that promote sobriety. For example, instead of accepting an invitation to a bar, try to visit a museum, zoo, park, or another place where alcohol or drugs aren’t expected. Volunteering opportunities are great activities to focus on sobriety. Not to mention, gratitude and giving back to your community will give you a newfound sense of belonging that can help you stay sober in the long run.
7. Don’t Dwell in the Past
Remember how grateful you should be for your sobriety. It’s easy to forget how good life can be when faced with addiction and its consequences every day, but taking a moment now and then to recognize just how far you’ve come is an important part of staying sober for the long haul.
8. Join a Support Group and Find a Sponsor
Attending support meetings and staying in touch with your sponsor are key to living a sober lifestyle. Even after completing the 12-Steps, attending support group meetings can be an incredible resource to enjoy sober living. These meetings are an excellent reminder as to why you started your recovery journey in the first place. And, remember, you can always call your sponsor whenever you feel you’re falling off track.
9. Focus on the Positives of Sobriety
Whenever you feel lost in your recovery journey, focus on the real-life positives of sobriety. For example, after being sober, you can see your family, hold a job, remember your children’s recitals, connect with your partner, and so on. Every so often, sit down for a few minutes and write down how being sober has changed your life. Remembering these things will help you stay strong in your sobriety journey.
10. Consider Joining an Aftercare Program
If you feel you’re not ready to give sober living a try by yourself, consider an aftercare program. Many rehab centers offer aftercare recovery programs as an extension of rehab. These programs offer structure and reliability as you connect with others in early sobriety in a somewhat flexible environment designed to help you find your place in sobriety.
