In AA specifically, meeting people who have lived through relapse and recovery cycles is common. It is also common for people to project the one thing that eventually worked for them onto others as the only way to be sober. Alcohol consumption has a lot of negative effects on your body, and exercising can help undo some of the damage caused by substance use.
Staying Sober Without God – The Workbook
Not everyone has someone they can talk to about this. It’s understandable if you don’t want to share this part of your life with friends or family. No matter what your sobriety journey looks like, a supportive community can be crucial to sticking with it. It can help to have a trusted confidant or two with whom you can share your struggles, successes, and revelations. Going alcohol-free doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a fun, fizzy beverage. Start simple so you have non-alcoholic options to order at the bar.
CREATE!
You don’t have to go far to hear someone extolling the virtues of yoga, meditation, and other relaxation techniques. These activities are extremely beneficial for those who are in recovery. It’s usually a good idea to pick one group as your home-group and try to attend all of their meetings. It’s good to try other groups to get different views and perspectives but having a home group means you will get to know people who can help you a bit better.
Check out our addiction recovery blog to learn more about substance use disorders and how to get effective treatment.
- Counseling can be instrumental for those in recovery from addiction.
- Understanding your motivation is the first step in your sober journey, and it is critical for long-term success.
- Will eating salads and drinking water make your boredom go away?
- It stops you from fidgeting or thinking of scenarios where you’d end up drinking.
- I’d suggest that your first action be to work through the rest of these steps, since that will create a foundation for you to then branch out and explore new avenues of self-improvement.
Concentrate on making it your own day, not a day that belongs to drinking or using drugs. You’ll overwhelm yourself if you think about sobriety in long increments. This is where it helps to plug into a recovery group. If you want to look somewhere other than AA, there are also online groups designed to support people through this journey. There may also be local meet-ups where you can connect in person with others. Their entire community might consist of people who are also struggling with alcohol addiction.
My sponsor sent me to a sponsorship meeting, and the general gist was that God has ordained us to be soldiers and carry the message. I’ve Halfway house even seen and felt him working in my life, but I do not want to sponsor. If someone needs a ride to detox, or a meeting, no problem. But, I just truly believe not everyone is cut out to be a sponsor.
More on Substance Abuse and Addiction
Let’s explore some of the most helpful online resources and programs available. How to apply accountability to your life if you’re not a part of a peer-based recovery group? Confide in those closest to you and allow them to be your sounding board for your triumphs and failures. Additionally, practicing meditation or mindfulness can help individuals manage stress and reduce the likelihood of relapse. Additionally, some people may find AA’s group dynamics or principles too rigid or dogmatic. Whatever the reason, it is important to know that there are many other options available that can provide the necessary support and guidance to achieve and maintain Sobriety.
- Dopamine is another neurotransmitter that is responsible for feelings of pleasure and happiness.
- Embracing a positive attitude about recovery is noted as a major factor in early recovery.8 What you think influences how you feel, and how you feel influences how you behave.
- The good news is that there are plenty of sober activities and options for things to do instead of drink.
- LifeRing is a secular, non-profit organization providing peer-run addiction recovery groups to empower you to take control of your sobriety journey.
- Thankfully, the growing trend of sober bars and activities is making that possible without alcohol and drugs.
Change Your Job
Sudden withdrawal from heavy drinking can be dangerous or even fatal, so it’s best to have a doctor’s supervision. If you have a milder drinking problem, you might be able to go it alone. But you should still check with your doctor beforehand. Once you have identified your reasons, you can use them to stay focused. Writing down your goals on paper or on a digital board can be a great reminder of why you want to quit alcohol. Understanding your motivation is the first step in your sober journey, and it is critical for long-term success.
Sometimes being sober is boring because your life revolves around alcohol.
If you think you can stick with it, creating a tapering schedule and gradually reducing how much you drink is usually the best approach. If you plan to quit cold turkey (all at once), make sure you are well-stocked with everything you’ll need for the week—withdrawal can make you feel very ill. HAMS is a peer-led group that provides support and information to those who want to change their drinking habits. It’s an AA alternative that involves 17 steps instead of 12, and supports moderate drinking and harm reduction in addition to full sobriety. Make sure to stay connected with other sober people how to stay sober without aa in some way for additional support.