Sobriety: How to Get Sober and What to Expect

Many recovering addicts now find that they have more time to fill without drugs and alcohol consuming their thoughts and actions. Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) remains one of the most common support groups for long-term sobriety. AA inspired additional 12-Step sober house programs, like Narcotics Anonymous (NA), for those struggling with other types of substance abuse. You might have a slip, relapse, or strong urge to drink or use drugs. There is no shame in admitting that you need to go back in your recovery!

  • Too much free time can give you lots of time to dwell on negative thoughts or think of excuses to relapse.
  • You might also find a recovery coach who can help you learn ways to reset your habits.
  • Lastly, whether enrolled in a formal treatment program or you’re still contemplating sobriety, you may benefit from mutual support groups as a part of your lifelong recovery process.

If you are trying to maintain a sober lifestyle, those feelings can become toxic and contribute to relapse if you don’t deal with them properly. A therapist can help you learn new coping skills, develop new thinking patterns, and address any co-occurring mental health conditions that may make recovery more difficult. Research shows that if you maintain these types of toxic relationships, your chances of relapsing are greater. To avoid relapse and remain sober, it’s important to develop healthy relationships.

Keep drug triggers and cravings in check

Eating before, during, and after drinking can help slow the absorption of alcohol into the bloodstream. Drinking plenty of water can also assist with dehydration and flushing toxins from the body. However, there is no effective way to sober up quickly other than to stop drinking and allow time to pass. A cold shower can give you a second wind, but it won’t reverse the effects of alcohol. In some cases, the shock of a cold shower can actually cause people to lose consciousness. You might be able to make yourself feel better or look better, but only time will lower your blood alcohol level.

  • While it is understandable to have hesitations, rehab can help you in so many ways — and dramatically increase your odds of a successful long-term recovery.
  • Yoga and meditation are also excellent ways to bust stress and find balance.
  • Levine proposes that Buddhism is ideally suited to target addiction, since transcending suffering and “nonattachment” are at its core.
  • There’s no more not caring if they see your cellulite or whatever you’re hiding under there; and you will, once and for all, discover that sex is never like in the movies.

For support, I look to the online recovery community, I have regular therapy, and I attend the occasional meditation groups and Refuge 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. Perhaps you are just intimidated by the idea of entering weekend-mode sober.

Reconnect with friends and family

Ria Health is one program that can help you get sober from alcohol from your personal device. To learn more about how it works, get in contact with a member of our team today. And if you’re quitting without the support of a program, make sure you have a friend or loved one keeping an eye on you throughout the withdrawal process. For those with lighter drinking habits, the symptoms may be manageable. But for those with heavier habits, it’s best to either cut back gradually, or have a medical professional monitor you.

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *