Sober Strategies Playbook: Tips for Staying Sober FHE Health

If you sober house falter one day, don’t completely abandon it and fall into old habits derailing your hard work and confidence. Ultimately, I had to separate from techno dance and trance music because the songs had a memory of prior trips. I am happy to report that the Vengaboys don’t trigger me today. So, some passions come back around and will be enjoyed again in time.

Strategies and Coping Skills for Staying Sober

Guilt is having negative feelings about your past behavior. People in recovery can experience a lot of shame simply for having become addicted in the first place. Anger is a normal and natural emotion, but how you deal with it will make a difference in maintaining your recovery. Hosted by therapist Amy Morin, LCSW, this episode of The Verywell Mind Podcast shares how to avoid repeating mistakes and build better habits.

Practice Mindfulness and Meditation

These strategies have proven to be successful in my sober living. Remember, this is far from a complete list of triggers, so you may have to dive a bit deeper to recognize yours. At Dove Recovery, we can help support you with extra assistance to ensure your successful path to recovery.

Get Therapy for Trauma and Underlying Issues

Addiction is caused by a combination of genetic, environmental, and psychological factors. Genetic predisposition can make individuals more vulnerable to addiction. Environmental influences, such as peer pressure, stress, or trauma, can also play a significant role. Substance abuse can lead to actions like embezzling a company’s money, which can be a turning point for seeking rehabilitation.

What these individuals have in common is that living a clean life is just half the battle. They see the difference between being clean and sober as initially embracing the clean part, but learning to love and put into daily practice their commitment to staying sober. Sober people have amassed knowledge about their recovery and ways to reduce temptation and avoid relapse. They typically have support systems in place, like private therapy, support groups, outpatient treatment programs, or a mentor to whom they can turn for advice and support.

You don’t use heroin if you’re focused on a whole food plant-based diet. Your mindset has shifted to caring for your body instead of destroying it. So I stopped, drank some water, and got back into the workout. Do you have a loved one or family member that works out? Many people who work out get motivation by working out together.

staying free staying clean sober

What is Sobriety?

Each time you celebrate, your brain releases dopamine, the feel-good neurotransmitter.10 This creates a positive association with milestones and drives you to want to achieve more. Experts make sobriety more achievable by offering valuable advice, holding you accountable to your goals, and helping you feel less isolated. You’ll face successes, setbacks, growth, and joy along your journey. They’re all part of the process and work to serve the greater goal of a healthier, happier you. Working with a doctor to manage medication is crucial. Regular check-ups allow for dosage adjustments, monitoring of side effects, and assessment of overall treatment efficacy.

Pursue Education or Career Development

staying free staying clean sober

And you may not be ready to loosen the rules around your sobriety just yet. In recovery, it’s important to celebrate the big and small wins. Acknowledging your achievements is a way to honor all your efforts and progress. Plus, positive reinforcement motivates people9 to commit to a substance-free life.

Suggested Schedule for Health Assessments

  • The simple fact for many people is that they’ve used substances to cope with their problems for years and have let more natural and healthy coping skills slip by the wayside.
  • Substance abuse imposes tremendous financial costs, and yet, somehow, you once maintained a habit.
  • Almost everyone needs help at one time or another.
  • One is the initial step into sobriety, while the other only happens after a person begins to fully embraces their sober life.

Personal growth through education or career development can significantly support long-term sobriety. It builds self-esteem, provides purpose, and creates new opportunities. SMART goals are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. Staying sober long-term is a challenge, but it’s not impossible. Research shows that with the right strategies, you can maintain your sobriety for years to come.

Firm boundaries should be in place to prevent relapse. So avoid old hangout spots and old hangover faces. As a survivor of childhood and adult trauma, I believe in this truth. Furthermore, every drug addict I’ve met has trauma stories.

Being sober generally refers to the state of not being under the https://appsychology.com/living-in-a-sober-house/ influence of drugs or alcohol. In recovery circles, sober typically means that a person has abstained from consuming any mind-altering substances for a significant period. Sobriety is often viewed as a long-term commitment to avoiding all forms of substance use.