Sober 2019 — Being sober and avoiding relapse this New Year

For somebody who has recently quit drinking or stopped taking drugs and is serious about his/her goal of being sober in the long term it can take a lot of effort and will-power to avoid having a relapse. The truth is that most people who find long-term sobriety have had at least one or more relapse(s) along the way.

An impending relapse has a lot of tell-tale signs that show up long before it actually happens. Being able to recognise the warning signs and addressing them is the key to long-term sobriety.

A relapse is imminent if you quit alcohol and drugs but continue with the same routine and hang out with the same people and places and make no changes to your circumstances.

However, by making small but significant changes in your lifestyle listed below you can develop a healthy lifestyle and stay sober long term.

1. Develop a routine — Experts believe that having a disorganised or “chaotic” lifestyle is one of the major hinderances that affects long term sobriety. It helps to have a structured schedule during the week or in the day and sticking to it. This not only helps with addiction but also the other goals in your life.

Also important is developing other long time goals apart from being sober. Being sober is a key goal, but other personal goals that relate to education or career helps maintain sobriety in the long run.

2. Make positive changes — While trying to stay sober in the long run, it’s best to avoid old routines, habits, people and places. Making changes, however small can help people who have just begin their journey of recovery.

3. Exercise regularly — If you’ve gone through an addiction for a long period of time, there’s a good chance your health was affected and you are not in the best physical shape. Exercise can have major impact on your health and recovery. It can help reduce stress and boredom which could be triggers for relapse. Exercise leads to better nutrition and can help reduce withdrawal symptoms.

4. Find a Job — Financial problems are one of the major triggers for a relapse and most people who are recovering have had issues meeting work-related commitments and managing their finances. Finding a job or going back to work can be a trigger so use all the support available to help with the transition.

It is important to take small but decisive steps to improve your finances by crating a budget, saving money and repairing credit.

5. Maintain healthy relationships — To avoid a relapse it is best to avoid your drinking buddies and friends or family that have enabled your behaviour without even knowing it. Sometimes it’s the people who are the closest to you that contribute to a relapse.

Start by avoiding relationships in your past that were unhealthy and toxic. Go out, meet new people, make new friends and build new relationships that are healthy and sustainable without alcohol or drugs.

6. Avoid Tense Moments — Most people who have gone through an addiction have had issues controlling their temper. Having a temper and being angry is natural and normal but managing and expressing anger is something that a lot of recovering addicts have difficulties with.

It’s important to learn about their anger and how to manage it. Learning how to deal with anger can help avoid you hurting others and yourself which it turn can lead to a relapse.

7. Deal with Mistakes made in the past — Many people who are on the road to recovery develop strong feelings of anger, resentment and regret. As we start seeing things clearly, we start feeling an enormous sense of regret over the things we have done doing our addiction. The guilt and shame could become toxic and cause a relapse if not properly dealt with.

Forgive yourself and take necessary steps to clean up your life and living it responsibly will help avoid a relapse and help in being sober.

If you still need help in staying sober call us at +91 77999 19293.