That’s six hard, beautiful, glorious years during which I not only stopped drinking, but also finally moved on from all recreational drugs as well as a history of bulimia. Relapsing in alcohol use can feel overwhelming and frustrating, especially for those who have worked hard to maintain sobriety. However, it is important to remember that relapse (while not mandatory) is a too common part of the recovery process and should not be seen as a failure.

• It can be hard, especially in early sobriety, to get the courage to try new things.
• Don’t let your thoughts take control of you, because your thoughts are not supposed to control you.
• So your bold, life-improving decision to not drink will mean changes almost everywhere you look.
• Knowing what triggers you and what makes you behave in a way that you would otherwise avoid can be a valuable tool in your sobriety.

You can provide an excuse, like that you’re on antibiotics, or you aren’t feeling great or want to feel fresh for something you have going on the next day. It’s important to remember that you never have to give yourself up to make Selecting the Most Suitable Sober House for Addiction Recovery other people comfortable—ever. Whether you’re stating a one-sentence response (“I don’t drink”) or using a small excuse, the only thing to consider is whether you are comfortable, and whether your boundaries are being upheld.

Personal Information

It allows individuals to take control of their actions and make meaningful connections with others. After overcoming her own addiction in 2012 Julie went on to become certified as an addiction counselor in order to help others achieve a life of recovery. She worked in the addiction field for 8 years and now uses both her personal and professional experiences with addiction as an influence for her writing. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or CDC, also says that even minimal amounts of alcohol of any kind increase a person’s risk for several types of cancer. “The benefits [of being alcohol-free] are it’s better for your kidneys, your liver, your skin.

Most trends turn over quickly, but drinking – from mimosas at brunch to post-work beers – has always been portrayed as the ultimate way to have a good time . Choosing to be sober (or alcohol-free as I prefer to say) in a society that is absolutely obsessed with booze is a brave choice. It’s one that honestly doesn’t cross the minds of most average people. So, just for me, try on the idea that if giving up alcohol has crossed your mind…you’re not meant to be average. You’re not meant to be a run-of-the-mill party girl or wine mom or whatever meme society has tried to sell you on.

Why Living a Sober Lifestyle Isn’t Just About Abstaining from Substance Abuse

How we decide to feel about certain circumstances and our own emotions is up to us. There are many people living sober lives that don’t turn to drugs to numb their emotions or seek a high. While being sober doesn’t guarantee a happy life, using drugs ensures one is trapped in a downward spiral of addiction. When you’re sleep-deprived, you feel cranky, foggy, and unhealthy. Alcohol and drugs aren’t conducive to good sleep – they can keep you up late at night, make it hard to fall asleep when you want to, or make you sleepy during the daytime.

Sobriety is kind of like the fast-pass line at Disneyland, except the ride is growing up. Seven years ago I made a decision that would entirely change the course of my life. I decided to get help for my addiction and to make a serious effort to change my life. I was sick of living a life of active addiction and tired of hating myself for it.

There’s Life Beyond Addiction

Members meet “life on life’s terms” while they move forward on their recovery path. In Writing the Big Book, William H. Schaberg presents an exciting, research-driven narrative of the history of the book, Alcoholic Anonymous, and the formative years of A.A. Based on the principles behind “Steps Six and Seven”, Drop the Rock combines personal stories, practical advice, and powerful insights to help listeners move forward in recovery. “The goal is not to isolate and to socialize in environments where there is no temptation to drink because alcohol is not served or part of the equation,” explains Hafeez. For example, if you value being an effective and helpful employee at work, how does alcohol get in the way of that? You might notice that alcohol negatively affects your sleep and leads to fatigue the next day, which impacts your performance at work.

There are many benefits of sobriety, so do your best to make the most out of it. Every day, you should make a point to laugh out loud, to pursue something that interests you, something that is not on your to-do list. Try learning something new that you’ve always wanted to, like rock climbing or ukulele. Enrich your spirit by connecting with nature, meditating, or taking a yoga class. That is why, if you are new to sobriety, it is important to take each day at a time. For your first few months in recovery, make sobriety your number one goal each day.

It’s not just your drinking buddies and drug dealers who can get you into trouble—sometimes those who are closest to you can contribute to a relapse. It may help to pick a quit date, or a day when you choose to discontinue use of alcohol or drugs. It’s also helpful to change your environment—for instance, avoid going to bars. There are also resources such as 12-step groups and recovery groups. These days, I have an uncanny ability to look on the bright side.

• When there is a problem, try to solve it right away so you don’t end up with two problems later and a lot to juggle.
• To avoid relapse and remain sober, it’s important to develop healthy relationships.
• For example, if you value being an effective and helpful employee at work, how does alcohol get in the way of that?

You don’t have to try and wrack your brain to remember who you were with or what happened. You’re no longer waking up with that sinking feeling that something terrible might have happened the night before, but you can’t quite remember what. You don’t have to call or text the people you were with and try to piece together the previous night. Life after addiction might also mean you have more professional success and new creative outlets that you discover when drugs and alcohol aren’t occupying all of your time.