If you’re ready to stop drinking, you need to be prepared. Addiction is powerful and will try to draw you back in. But you can beat it by preparing yourself ahead of time for the challenges that lie ahead. In this guide, you’ll find several tips that’ll keep you on the right track.
1) Make a commitment to yourself
The first step is to make a commitment to yourself. You need to be honest with yourself and recognize if you have a problem that needs to be addressed. Once you’ve made this realization, you need to pledge to yourself you’ll do whatever it takes to overcome your addiction. This commitment will be the driving force behind your recovery, especially during challenging times.
2) Seek professional help
If you’re serious about overcoming your addiction, you need to seek professional help. This can include therapy, counseling, or medication-assisted treatment. Professional help will provide you with the tools and support you need to overcome your addiction and stay sober for good. A clinic like The Process Recovery Center Maine can really help you in this area, but there are many excellent options available in every state.
3) Attend support group meetings
One of the best things you can do to stay sober is to attend support group meetings. These meetings give you the opportunity to connect with other people who are also working toward sobriety. Meeting other people in recovery can be incredibly motivating, especially if they seem happy and fulfilled without alcohol or drugs. This connection could be the key to your success.
4) Avoid temptation
If you’re serious about staying sober, you need to avoid temptation. This means staying away from places where alcohol is served, avoiding people who are drinking, and steering clear of drugs. It can be difficult to resist temptation, but if you’re prepared for it, you’ll be more likely to say no. Your goal should be to stay sober every single day, no matter what challenges come your way. If you’re prepared, you can achieve this goal and finally put your addiction behind you.
5) Find a healthy distraction
You’ve made a commitment to yourself and started going to support group meetings, but it’s still important to have a healthy distraction. This could be anything from running to hiking to spending time with your friends and family. The key is to find something that you enjoy and that will keep you busy and distracted from thoughts of alcohol or drugs. When you’re busy and distracted, it’s much harder for addiction to take hold.
6) Get rid of the alcohol in your home
One of the best ways to remain sober is to get rid of any remaining alcohol from your home. If temptation is still present, it can be difficult for you to stay sober. By getting rid of all the alcohol, you’re removing one of the biggest temptations from your life. This can be a difficult step, but it’s an important one if you want to overcome your addiction for good.
7) Make a plan
In order to stay sober, you need to have a plan. This means knowing what you’ll do when you’re faced with temptation and knowing how you’ll respond to difficult situations. It’s also helpful to have a plan for what you’ll do when you feel like a relapse is imminent. By having a plan, you’re putting yourself in a much better position to overcome addiction and stay sober for good.
8) Take things one day at a time
The final key to sobriety is consistency. It’s common to have big, long-term plans when you’re striving for sobriety, but it’s important to take things one day at a time.