Have you recently quit drinking? Congratulations! But a road to recovery is a lifelong commitment and it isn’t always an easy journey.
Staying sober and overcoming addiction is a difficult but worthwhile process. Whether you’re doing this for yourself or your loved ones, to avoid a relapse you have to develop good habits.
Sobriety takes practice and commitment. Learn why and pick up some sober living tips to help you along the way.
What Causes Addiction?
Alcohol use disorder happens when your body becomes reliant upon or addicted to alcohol. People that have never suffered addiction may not understand that addiction is caused by chemical changes in the brain.
This usually occurs over time and may run in families. There are certain factors that increase your risk for addiction to alcohol.
- Having more than 15 drinks per week for men or 12 for women
- Binge drinking
- A parent that suffered alcohol use disorder
- Low self-esteem, high stress, or mental health conditions
Your environment can also contribute to addiction. Having a lack of support may lead to heavy drinking and bad choices. Depending on the severity of your situation, you may need to seek help at an addiction facility.
Lifelong Tips to Stay on Track
Deciding to quit drinking is only the first step. Sobriety takes hard work and a great support network. These healthy habits and tips can help make your journey easier.
Find your motivation first
Ask yourself, why do you want to get sober? You may be doing this for yourself or because a loved one expressed concern about you.
No matter why you made this decision, find your reason or motivation and keep it in mind. This way, even when times get tough and you think about quitting, you can prevent a relapse.
If it’s difficult to find motivation, give these creative sober techniques a try.
Form a strong support network
Many addicts turn to substances like alcohol to numb themselves. When faced with a difficult time at work or in life, alcohol numbs the pain and makes it easier to go through life.
Therapy and support programs can help keep you on track. If certain programs don’t work for you, create a network of family and friends. Having someone who knows what you’re going through also helps keep you accountable.
Learn more about yourself and grow stronger over time
As you work your way through the recovery journey, you will learn more about yourself. You develop good habits, discover how to cope with stress, and learn what is important to you in life.
Sometimes seeking counseling or therapy can help you form these healthy coping practices. Developing healthy coping skills may take a long time. This is one of the reasons obtaining sobriety is a lifelong process.
Watch for warning signs of relapse
According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, 90 percent of those going through recovery have a relapse after treatment.
If you recognize these signs of a relapse you should seek help and reach out to your support network.
The Road to Recovery Starts Here
Overcoming addiction and achieving sobriety is a long and difficult process. You may face many challenges throughout your life.
Maintaining healthy habits and learning to hold yourself accountable keeps you on track. Rely on your support group and never be afraid to seek help.
Looking for more tips to help you on your road to recovery? Check out our blog for more advice.