Overall, the most important thing is to stay committed to your Recovery and never give up hope. With the right tools and mindset, you can getting sober without aa achieve long-term Sobriety without AA. SMART Recovery is a science-based program that emphasizes self-empowerment and self-reliance.
Conclusion: A Thriving Sober Lifestyle in the Concrete Jungle
This scientifically proven treatment teaches you how to regulate your emotions and end self-destructive cycles. Drug and alcohol abuse is often caused by problems in personal relationships. Codependency and controlling and passive-aggressive behavior are at the root of many addictions. An important part of recovery is addressing these issues and setting boundaries. And in case it wasn’t already obvious, the only way to get to long-term sobriety is to first achieve short-term sobriety. Some individuals with drinking problems are able to stop drinking effortlessly and permanently without craving or obsessing about alcohol.
Staying Committed to Sobriety
Some studies find that this structure, along with a start date for sobriety and milestones, is important to some people in recovery. RehabAdviser.com is a tool for individuals seeking to find a Drug and/or Alcohol Rehab. We provide a list of treatment centers located within the United States that are JHACO or CARF accredited. Individuals can call the centers directly or call our Toll Free number for further assistance. Depending on where you live or where the meetings are, AA groups might lean heavily toward one age, cultural background or gender.
How do I handle feeling left out when others are drinking?
- This is most likely to occur in programs that provide services and therapies based on research.
- Remember, staying sober is a journey, and it’s okay to ask for help along the way.
- The bar or the same nightclub you used to frequent while drinking may be a trigger for you.
- Whether this is some sort of spiritual program, giving back to your community, getting involved in recovery activism, is all up to you.
- Triggers for using drugs and alcohol typically are people, places, and things that remind you of your addictive behavior or encourage the use of substances you’re avoiding.
- You might find that one of the best parts about not drinking is that you don’t waste away the next morning sleeping and feeling hungover.
Alcohol consumption has a lot of negative effects on your body, and exercising can help undo some of the damage caused by substance use. Plus, the endorphins released while exercising help with mental wellness and even has been shown to reduce cravings experienced during late detox and early recovery. If you’re fed up of feeling drained and exhausted all the time, taking some time off from drinking will make you feel so much better. When you go without alcohol for an extended period of time – whether it’s six weeks, or two months, or whatever – you’ll likely end up in some social situations where you’d normally drink. Being able to socialise without alcohol is an excellent skill to have.
Navigating Relationships and Society
Finding a program that fits your needs and preferences is essential. One of the best ways to stay sober is to find new hobbies and activities to replace old habits. This can include anything from painting to hiking to podcasting. Additionally, joining a hobby group or club can provide a sense of community and support.
Whatever it is, new activities can lead to new friends with interests like yours. This may mean that you don’t spend time with someone you used to use drugs with or go somewhere you used to drink. You might take a new way home from work, for example, to keep from going past your favorite old hangout. I have a friend https://ecosoberhouse.com/ who knew she had a problem with alcohol and went to an AA meeting when she was 25. She said, “If this is what getting sober is like, I’ll just keep drinking.” Thankfully, 15 years later, she found another way and is thriving in recovery. I often write about stigma, harm reduction, recovery, health & personal growth.
Exercise will get your endorphins pumping, reduce cravings, and make you feel better. Psychiatrists are medical doctors who specialize in mental health, which sometimes includes substance use disorders. Because they are able to prescribe medication, psychiatrists can be particularly helpful if you believe you have underlying anxiety or depression you are managing with alcohol. It’s important to surround yourself with positive influences and seek help when needed. Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) is a treatment method that uses medication to help individuals manage their substance use disorder.
