Have you recently stopped drinking, or given up your addictive behavior? Are you serious about remaining sober this time? Do you want to find a way to avoid having a relapse?
The fact is, up to 90% of people who achieve sobriety in the long term experience a relapse along the way. As a result, you may need some tips for recovery. After all, being informed, knowing what to expect and how to conduct yourself is the best way to continue living your new, sober lifestyle.
Make Smart Changes
If you want to maintain your sobriety, then it is absolutely essential you abandon your old hangouts, habits, and routines. In some cases, you may need to make other changes, too. It doesn’t matter what type of changes you make – the goal is to participate in behavior that’s different than what you did in the past.
If you want to develop and keep a drug- and addiction-free lifestyle, you will know the immediate changes that need to be made. These include things like not hanging around people you got drugs from or drank with. If you want to remain sober, you can’t hang around the people you used to drink with.
There are some people who have discovered it’s best to make new friends if they really want to remain sober. If you find this challenging, then consider joining a support group, or even participating in a fellowship. Another option is to try to spend more time with your family. Plan activities that everyone will enjoy and that will help your entire family live a healthier life. This can also help you avoid situations where you would be tempted to drink or do drugs.
Find a Sense of Balance in Your Life
A common mistake for many people who have recently become sober is substituting a brand-new compulsion or addiction for the ones they had in the past. After all, someone who has become an alcoholic or addict is typically compulsive, which can be quite dangerous and lead to a relapse.
If you are new to recovery, you may find that you are compulsive when it comes to a new diet, exercise routine, or even a support group. If this is the case, you are simply substituting one addiction for a new one.
Even if your new activity is productive and healthy, it can be a stumbling block that prevents you from ever fully recovering. The goal is for you to find some level of balance and to take control of everything in your life, as well as all of the choices that you make. You need to figure out that you have options and that you can maintain control of your life. If there is any part of your life that is considered out of control, then this is going to hinder your ability to continue living your new, sober life.
Deal with the Mistakes You Made in the Past
If you have made it to recovery, chances are you have also left quite a bit of suffering and pain behind you. There are probably many things in your past that cause feelings of guilt and shame. If you want to maintain your sobriety, there is no question that the guilt and shame may become toxic. This can result in you relapsing if you don’t properly deal with it.
Shame is when you have negative beliefs about yourself, as well as your self-worth. Guilt is if you have any type of negative or bad feelings about your past behavior. If you are in recovery you may have shame for getting addicted to being with. The best way to deal with these feelings is by facing your past. You have to apologize to those you hurt and try to make amends. This is going to help you maintain your new-found sobriety.
Living a Sober Life: It’s Possible
Remaining drug and addiction free for life is your ultimate goal. If you want to achieve this goal, then you have to take control and stop living in the past. The only way to ensure you don’t repeat the behaviors of the past is to move forward and live each day in your new sober life. If you or a loved one are struggling with addiction, do NOT be afraid to reach out. Contact us today to talk to an addiction treatment professional.
