How to Stay Sober from Alcohol Addiction

Recovering from alcohol addiction is a lifelong process. It will be difficult, and it will not be linear. There will be good and bad days. On those difficult days, it's important to have strategies and tips to stay alcohol-free.

Many addicts who have gotten sober relapse because they fall back into their old ways. Those old ways can be anything that triggers alcohol dependency for you – the same apartment, the same friends, the same daily living routine.

Continue your recovery progress and avoid relapses with these strategies.

Replace Old Habits with New Ones

To stay sober for good, it's important to start fresh. It will take hard work and commitment, but replacing old habits with new, healthy habits will be your first step to lifelong recovery.

Eliminate friendships with other alcoholics who lead you down the wrong path. Avoid the old hangouts where you used to drink. Anything associated with drinking should be removed from your daily life. Get rid of those alcohol triggers for good, even if it's hard to do so. A new environment will help you make positive changes – without reminders of your past alcohol abuse.

Create a new routine. Don't go home to an empty apartment if you drink out of boredom and loneliness. Instead, go to the gym after work, join a hobby group in town, and make new friends who can help you live the good life again. It may seem like removing alcohol from your life means removing fun. In reality, you're making room for happiness and healthy fun.

Addiction Treatment Centres

Many alcoholics drink to self-medicate and deal with mental health issues. Deep down, you may think you're unworthy of a happy, sober life. To stay sober, you need self-confidence and belief in yourself. The healthier you feel on the inside, the more likely you are to believe you can recover from your addiction and lead a productive life.

If you are struggling with depression, PTSD, anxiety, or self-esteem issues, getting mental health services through an addiction treatment centre can provide the personalized care you need for your recovery. By discussing your past trauma, your health, and your sobriety, you will see how worthy you are.

You do not have to walk the recovery path alone. At an addiction treatment centre, you'll have access to addiction, mental health, trauma, and family services. You can also access continued care to stay on track. Follow-up care is critical to your lifelong recovery success.

Live One Day at a Time

If the commitment to refreshing your life sounds too overwhelming when you're newly sober, don't worry. Instead, focus on living one day at a time. Some days, you'll be motivated. You should do as much as possible on those days to set up your new life. This includes searching for new things to do, new places to hang out, and even finding a job or an apartment to start fresh.

On other days, making it through the night without alcohol will seem impossible and insurmountable. This is expected. On those days, live minute to minute, hour to hour with one sole focus – staying sober. Don't worry about the rest.

Get Healthy

The better you feel, the more likely you are to stay recovered. Proper diet and exercise might seem overrated regarding sobriety, but it is the foundation of healthy and clean living.

It is not difficult to eat healthy if you are committed. Simply make small changes to your eating habits slowly. For example, one day, swap a bag of chips for a fruit bowl and ditch juice and soda for water. Exercise, too, can become a daily habit if you try.

Engage in Exercise

Go for a short walk daily, then slowly increase your speed or distance. Or, try other sports that interest you. You might find a new hobby in kayaking, running, martial arts, or soccer. This hobby can become your focus rather than alcohol.

The more you become passionate about your health over time, the easier it will be to abstain from alcohol. You will begin to value your health and will not want to sabotage your progress.

Join a Support Group

A support group for alcohol recovery can help you stay accountable to your long-term sobriety goal. It can also open up an avenue for sharing your story, meeting people struggling with the same thing, and getting support during those difficult days.

Look for local Alcoholics Anonymous meetings near you or join an online forum if that better meets your needs.