Sobriety Strategies: 13 Tips for Staying Sober

There may be bumps along the way, such as relapses or broken promises, but multiple relapses and treatment episodes will erode trust—sometimes permanently. Establish open lines of communication with one another and come up with a plan of action. This will set you both up for success and avoid pain and conflict down the road.

By Buddy T

Buddy T is a writer and founding member of the Online Al-Anon Outreach Committee with decades of experience writing about alcoholism. Because he is a member of a support group that stresses the importance of anonymity at the public level, he does not use his photograph or his real name on this website. Financial troubles and problems finding and keeping employment are major triggers for relapse, but it is possible to take baby steps and get your finances in order. Just keep in mind that your improvements won’t happen overnight. Depending on the type of dependency, PAWS can last from six months to two years after you stop using drugs or alcohol. Some definitions of sobriety call for complete lifelong abstinence while others focus on developing coping mechanisms that can reduce harm with the understanding that setbacks are common.

How do I stay clean and sober while I’m stuck at home?

Those with severe addictions will benefit most from an inpatient rehab according to research, while those with less severe addictions may find that an outpatient program best fits their needs. Milestones can help motivate a person to remain sober to reach the next milestone. Even if you don’t have a strong support network right away, this is something you can seek out to help support your goals. This gives you a quick and easy explanation for why you aren’t drinking.

Many treatment providers offer suggestions to help you find the best fit for your recovery. For those new to recovery, navigating nightlife can be tough. If you’re a teenager or in your twenties, and are looking for sober things to do at night, you likely know this firsthand. Right now, substance-free activities may seem hard to come by. You may feel like you have too much time on your hands or bummed out that you are passing up weekend parties with your friends for the sake of sobriety.

How to Get Sober and What to Expect

Eventually, many also find that they lose interest in alcohol, and become completely sober. One solution involves taking anti-craving medication to retrain your brain chemistry or block drinking urges. You might also find a recovery coach who can help you learn ways to reset your habits.

It also gives you a sense of purpose that can help you stay focused. Organizations like Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous are other ways to build a support network. You can try different meetings for the different groups to find one that’s right for you.

Recommended Alternative Rehab-Related Articles

If you ask any resident or graduate of Turnbridge’s young adult drug rehab program, they’ll tell you, from experience, that it will be difficult to find ways to occupy your days at first. But in time, you will find that not only is it possible to enjoy life sober, but also that it is a positive life to live. You will wake up each morning without the hangover headaches, without the question of what you did the night before, without the regrets. And in time, you may come to find that your life without drugs is where your true living has actually begun. Once you are done with rehab, aftercare services can provide much-needed support to reduce your risk of relapse and make the transition back into daily life much easier.

• Although aerobic exercise is recommended, any type of activity is still beneficial.
• Small events that pique your sense of humor or provoke a sense of wonder may start to feel more life-affirming, further supporting your ability to enjoy life without drinking.
• “SMART” stands for “Self-Management and Recovery Training.” SMART Recovery focuses more on building coping skills for everyday life and does not focus on a higher power.
• If someone you love is working on sobriety, here are several ways to make recovery easier on both of you.

It also covers tips on how to deal with the challenges you’ll face on your journey to sobriety. However, there are methods to help sober house reduce or relieve the symptoms. This can include maintaining hydration, eating nutritious food, and getting plenty of rest.

John C. Umhau, MD, MPH, CPE is board-certified in addiction medicine and preventative medicine. For over 20 years Dr. Umhau was a senior clinical investigator at the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

• Additionally, alcohol addiction frequently develops as a means of avoiding negative thoughts in the first place.
• Such symptoms are often related to mood and may include irritability, anxiety, depression, sleep problems, and fatigue.
• If you don’t know the person well, simply saying you have to get up early the next morning or you quit for health reasons should be enough.
• Blood alcohol level is measured by the weight of alcohol in a certain volume of blood.
• Drug rehab typically follows, and clients receive behavioral and cognitive therapy to help them readjust their mindset and develop healthier thought processes.
• Staying sober requires a person to dive deeper and begin unraveling why they were using the substance, their triggers for relapse, and how to avoid falling into a pattern of use again.

Otherwise, a person is much more likely to relapse after getting sober. Most addiction treatment centers recommend at least 90 days of sober living before returning home. Many people need more time to get the skills they need to continue sober life outside of a sober living program. For many, it’s a lifelong process of unlearning coping mechanisms that revolve around substances like alcohol or cannabis, and it’s also a process of relearning how to live life sober and stay sober. So if you love someone with an unhealthy relationship with substances, please practice patience with their journey and remind them that you’re there for support. While it may be possible to get sober without rehab, the benefits of long-term treatment outweigh any convenience you may experience by quitting cold turkey on your own at home.