How to socialize without alcohol: 12 tips for a sober social life

how to stay sober

However, having faith makes the good things that happen to you extraordinary. Also, my faith has helped me live through experiences I cannot imagine surviving without God. So faith is an integral part of my list of how to stay sober.

Social Drinker vs Addicted Drinker

how to stay sober

Therapy offers a safe space with supportive individuals who want to see you maintain your sobriety. It is the place to honestly assess your situation and prospects of remaining sober. Therapy sessions usually include growth-oriented practices like mindfulness meditation which help solidify your resolve to stay clean. Recovery takes time, up to several years in some cases. Continuing therapy after your treatment allows you to become a better version of yourself and equips you with a stronger desire to stay substance-free.

Make New Friends

how to stay sober

Whether you’re suffering from alcohol abuse or drug abuse there are solutions. Between alcohol rehab and other American addiction centers substance abuse treatment is always available. Alcohol addiction is no joke, excessive alcohol consumption can give extremely dangerous withdrawal symptoms. Staying sober requires a commitment to your recovery process, even after a stay in a detox centre or rehab facility.

Manage Withdrawal

Exercise has health benefits for everyone, but people recovering from addiction can benefit. Exercise increases endorphins and can help you avoid relapse. If you haven’t done this already, consider cleaning out your pantry and cupboards to remove any tempting https://ecosoberhouse.com/ substances lurking. When you have a bad day, you don’t want that bottle of whiskey conveniently waiting for you to grab a tumbler and ice. Staying sober can be hard enough, and removing temptations from your home will make it that much easier.

Going to Rehab

  • So it’s important to always examine yourself to ensure you’re comfortable and acting right.
  • Breathing is a great way to give yourself something to focus on instead of your rapid thoughts.
  • Conclusion for the Section Boundaries aren’t barriers to social interaction; they are essential guidelines that ensure you can engage with the world while safeguarding your well-being.

Some studies find that this structure, along with a start date for sobriety and milestones, is important to some people in recovery. Most people who make their way into recovery have left a lot of pain and suffering in their wake. Feeling guilty or ashamed of past behavior or actions during active addiction is natural and healthy.

  • Again, if you’re fearing a relapse due to guilt, distress and shame, then close your eyes and imagine this scenario.
  • The term ‘sobering up’ suggests that it is an all or none phenomenon, which is inaccurate,” says Tetrault.
  • Sobriety can have life-changing effects on various aspects of your life, including your health, relationships, and finances.
  • What type of treatment you need depends on several factors, including the severity of your addiction.
  • Staying abstinent is something that will be with you your whole life.

Avoid Overconfidence

When multiple people are working with you to help achieve a goal it becomes that much easier. Support groups are another way to find people who will be able to help you. Support groups will typically have others who are going through similar circumstances. Being able to hear about their experiences and knowledge, as well as being able to share your own will make recovery that much easier. Out of every tip, being around others who support your recovery could be the most important when figuring out tips to stay sober.

how to stay sober

“I Can’t Even Make It Sober One Day”- How to Stay Sober?

While it’s essential to be vigilant and proactive, it’s equally important to acknowledge and celebrate your progress. This is something you can do online, face-to-face with a friend, or, if all else fails, a mirror. Having a conversation triggers parts of your brain you don’t access when you’re thinking about something on your own. While having a conversation with other people is ideal as they offer new insights and lines of thinking, talking your obstacles out loud to yourself doesn’t hurt either. Consider joining groups that don’t revolve around alcohol. This could be anything from sports teams to book clubs, where the primary focus is on a shared interest.

Practice Mindfulness

how to stay sober

Instead, focus on things, experiences, and activities that will support your new, healthy lifestyle. You need all the help you can get as you try to stay sober. Close friends and family who understand what you’re dealing with and are willing to help can form a reliable support network. Counselors and therapists can also form part of your support network. They help you develop coping skills and learn new thinking patterns to help you remain sober. If you have a sponsor, you may also want to maintain a close relationship with them so you can call them whenever you have a problem.

  • For someone in recovery sobriety often means lifelong abstinence.
  • There are medically assisted treatments (M.A.T.) for opioid use disorders.
  • We have been forced out of our normal routines and into circumstances we were not prepared for.
  • For someone who is newly sober, or for the person who has been trying to cut back on or quit drinking, this can be especially difficult and triggering.

Exploring the World of Non-Alcoholic Drinks

It could mean changing your route to and from work, changing jobs, or relocating entirely. Addiction affects every part of your life, so every sacrifice is worth it if it helps you maintain permanent sobriety. While it might be comfortable to continue old habits and stay around people you used to drink with, this is not conducive to sober living. When you stop drinking, it is time to make new friends.

How Long Does it Take to Feel the Effects of Not Drinking?

In other cases, many people just enjoy the taste of beer. If this is the case for you, NA beer is the perfect way to enjoy the drink you love while being able to maintain your sobriety. A sponsor or mentor is someone you look up to that has typically been clean for a long time and can act as extra support for you. Places like alcoholics anonymous or other support groups are great ways to find a possible sponsor.