Getting sober is a major step in life, and it can often be easy to get discouraged or lose your motivation. Everybody is different, but we can learn a lot from one another when it comes to navigating the sober living lifestyle. Sober living is no easy task, it’s a journey with many ups and downs, but we’ve compiled our top tips for staying motivated in sober living and throughout your addiction recovery experience.
Start Simple – Set Your Goals
The best way to stay motivated in sober living is to set goals for yourself, these personal milestones give you something to work towards, and something to celebrate once you reach them. Your goals can start off simple, for example: staying sober for one week. Once you hit that one week mark, take it up a notch and make it two more weeks, then three. Before you know it you’ll be six weeks sober, and over some of the hardest withdrawal symptoms.
Your goals do not have to be directly sobriety based either, and can be more focused on personal and emotional development. If you’re a parent, your goals could be something along the lines of “I want to attend one school event for my child and be fully present” or “I want to have better communication with my children.” For those without children or those looking to focus on their internal growth first, it could be “I want to walk outside for 20 minutes and feel the sunshine on my face without being clouded by drugs” or “I want to go out for a night out with friends without consuming any alcohol.” Setting personal goals will give you both a sense of purpose and a sense of empowerment when you achieve them. As you grow within your sober living lifestyle, you can make your goals more challenging for yourself. You have the power when it comes to getting sober, and your journey is going to be what you make of it.
Find a Healthy Outlet
We all have our different hobbies and interests, and finding an outlet that works for you can make sober living more enjoyable. Having a healthy outlet allows you to spend dedicated time that is not necessarily directly recovery focused, but still keeps your mind and body busy and focused on something other than drugs and alcohol. Some examples of healthy hobbies or outlets can include, but are not limited to:
- Reading
- Journaling
- Crafting
- Physical activity
- Organized sports
- Art projects
- Music
- Gardening
This is a general list of activities, but you can get creative with it! Many hobbies can be done individually or with a group, allowing you to incorporate them into your sober living lifestyle how you wish. Creative and physical outlets have been proven to be beneficial for the mind, body, and soul – especially for those in addiction recovery. Finding a hobby that interests you is also something you can carry out into the rest of your life, always being able to immerse yourself in your activity when the times get tough to avoid relapse.
Know What Your Triggers Are
To stay motivated and on the path to sobriety in alcohol and drug rehab, you must be able to identify your triggers. Many triggers are internal and emotion-based, such as fear, stress, or anxiety. Some can be physical such as being in a specific location or time of day. Learn how to recognize triggers and manage them in a way that does not require drugs or alcohol. When you’re feeling stressed, instead of turning to substances – go for a walk or call a friend. If you know you can’t visit a certain place or event without using drugs or alcohol, remove yourself from that environment and make a conscious effort not to go there. This is where your new hobbies come in: instead of giving in to your triggers and pacifying the situation with drugs or alcohol, take part in a productive, health activity.
Be Honest With Yourself
Sober living is hard – there’s no way around it. You have to be prepared to be uncomfortable and work hard for yourself and your loved ones. No two days are going to be the same, and you have to be honest with yourself and your support team on how you are doing throughout each day of sober living. Some days you may wake up and feel like you’re ready to seize the day, others you may want to stay in bed with the shades drawn. Being honest allows you to approach each day as you need to, taking it one step at a time, ending the day successfully sober.
Early Intervention Saves Lives
Taking the first step towards sober living is a huge accomplishment in itself, one that you may be scared for, but should be proud of doing. The earlier you intervene, the better the outcomes. This does not mean that anyone is “too far gone” for addiction recovery, whether you need inpatient medical detox, alcohol rehab, drug rehab, intensive outpatient treatment, or a partial hospitalization program, Rise Above Treatment is ready to receive you with open arms.
About Rise Above Treatment
Rise Above Treatment is a Murrieta, California based addiction treatment center that is committed to helping people recover from drug, alcohol, and other mental health concerns that are holding them back. We offer a range of services, including medical detox, residential rehab, addiction PHP, sober living options, and intensive outpatient programs. If you or a loved one is experiencing addiction, visit us at riseabovetreatment.com or give us a call at (855) 948-6325 and begin your journey to recovery.
