It takes a lot of work to achieve sobriety. It’s even harder to maintain it, especially since it seems almost impossible to enjoy yourself or unwind without partaking in drug use. A study found that more than two-thirds of people relapse after starting their sobriety journey. Whether you’re recovering from drug addiction, in pursuit of overall wellness or never engaged in any kind of drug use, you need to have a plan to maintain your sobriety. As we approach the festive season, the temptations are even higher. Here are some tips to help your sobriety journey easier.
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Identify Your Triggers
Many people turn to alcohol and drugs to deal with a range of issues such as stress, emotional distress, family troubles and financial challenges. These issues can become triggers which can cause a relapse if they aren’t identified and dealt with before starting your sobriety journey. It’s important to understand your triggers so you can prepare a plan to avoid them.
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Avoid Old Habits
Apart from identifying triggers, you also need to avoid the same old habits that led you to addiction. These include hanging out with the wrong people, going to clubs, and having easy access to alcohol or drugs. Continuing with these same old habits can make staying sober challenging since you’re exposed to the same things that tempt you to start indulging in alcohol or drug use.
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Make It Known
From workmates to family members and friends, let everyone know that you’re on a sobriety journey. This not only makes them aware that they shouldn’t offer you alcohol but also they can hold you accountable. You may prepare an explanation and tell them that drugs or alcohol became a problem for you so they may understand the seriousness of your journey. Things You Should Never Say To A Recovering Addict
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Build A Supportive Social Circle
Whether you decide to stick with your old friends or find new friends to spend your time with, make sure that they are on the same page as you are. Having people who support your sobriety journey is crucial in helping you stay sober. They can help you develop healthier habits and keep you away from situations that would make you drink or use drugs. If you find it difficult to make new friends, joining a support group also works. 8 Ways To Help Someone Struggling With Addiction
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Find A Favourite Non-Alcoholic Drink
Let’s face it, you will feel the urge to indulge every now and then. While you can learn to control your urges, it’s not guaranteed that you will successfully beat the temptation every time especially when you’re in a social setting. There are a wide range of nonalcoholic drinks that you can order when you’re out that can help you feel like you’re having a good time such as mocktails. You can find the nonalcoholic version of your favourite drink.
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Have A Schedule
Being idle is a huge cause of relapse. It’s important to develop a daily schedule and stick to it. When all the hours are accounted for, it’s harder for you to find time to drink. This also reduces the stress that comes with living a chaotic and disorganized lifestyle that can lead you to a dependence on alcohol or drugs. During your free time, you can read or listen to podcasts that help you develop healthy habits. 5 Tips To Help You Stick To Your Schedule
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Learn To Relax
One of the most common reasons people give for drinking or doing drugs is that they help them relax. This may be true but it’s unhealthy in the long run as it can lead to addiction and other health problems. The best way to maintain sobriety is to find healthy activities that keep you calm. You can try different things like yoga, meditating, painting, walking or exercising but it’s important to find what works for you so you can stick to it. 7 Daily Habits For Managing Depression
Check out
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