Getting sober can be one of the hardest journeys you’ll ever take. So, if you’re thinking about getting sober – be honest with yourself.
How are you going to do this? How are you going to stay sober and happy?
This can be a complicated time for anyone, but there are some things that I think everyone can do.
It would help if you got good sleep. Do you go to bed and lay there half the night thinking about alcohol?
It is so important to make sure you get a good sleep to get through the day. If you are really struggling with sleep, maybe I can recommend something that will help you.
You can download an app on your phone to track how many hours of sleep you have, and it will monitor your body to see what happens if you don’t get enough sleep. Some things can be a trigger for alcoholics and help if you are concerned about not getting enough sleep.
Can I still be happy while drinking in moderation?
Yes. It’s important to remember that there are a lot of people out there that have not tried alcohol in over 20 years.
Some have tried wine, whiskey, and beer. Others have been sober for over a decade.
Yes, they are all different and need to be approached in different ways. Some may need more social interaction; some may need less.
This is one of the greatest challenges of getting sober is meeting new people. But, there are some resources available for you to make this easier for yourself.
So, I’ve tried the New Year’s Resolution, and it didn’t work out, but you can keep trying! What else should I be doing?
Have you thought about going to meetings? There are many different ways to get sober, and sometimes people think they need to join a specific program.
If this is you – I would encourage you to really think about what would work for you. For example, it is widespread for people to get sober with other alcoholics, such as in a 12-step program.
There are also recovery houses where you can live for an extended period of time – called sober living – when you take the principles of recovery and build your life around them. I just celebrated 16 years of being sober, and it’s helped to be part of an amazing recovery community – The Next Step Recovery Community.
What if I don’t want to get sober?
I am going to be very honest here. This is a tough one for a lot of people.
This is so difficult because you get tied up in feeling like a failure when you cannot go without a drink. This was the situation I found myself in many times, and it can be very depressing.
If you are in this position, know that you are not alone. Some so many people have struggled and are still struggling.
This can make it difficult to stay in recovery because it feels like no one can understand you or understand the feeling of sadness and grief that comes with not drinking. But, remember that you have other options.
I’m going to share some of the reasons why you might consider staying sober:
Budgeting money
Once you stop drinking, it’s easy to fall into the trap of drinking regularly. Then, you will be afraid that you won’t be able to afford it.
This is an understandable fear, and it can happen. But, you can’t continue to spend a large amount of money on alcohol every week.
As you build a budget and start living within your means, your spirit and finances will improve. That way, you will have money left over to enjoy your life.
Fully control your health
This can be a potent motivator. When your health is in balance, you feel better.
When you take care of your body – for example, through a healthy diet – you are more likely to take care of your mind and spirit. Many people experience this sense of relief after coming out of a drinking crisis.
This leads to feeling more positive and willing to live a better life.
Complete other life tasks
Another great motivator has a clean slate. When you are sober, you can get involved in things like getting married, having children, buying a house, or taking a long-term job.
That way, your life is in a new place, and you have something to show for it. Because you are focused on creating a better life for yourself, you can get past feeling like you are only ever a couple of steps ahead.
You live the life that you want to live and make all the changes you have wanted to make for a long time.
Losing social connection
If you go to meetings and have a great experience, you may feel like you will lose your friends and relationships. But, it’s important to understand that you can still maintain the people in your life, and your relationships with them will not change.
Just because you are sober doesn’t mean that you have to give up your hobbies and social life.
The one thing that I can offer with absolute certainty is that you can be sober and still be happy. People have different reasons for being sober, but it’s important to find one that works for you and stick to.
The most important thing to remember is that if you have an amazing life, don’t trade it in for a bottle of wine or a vodka soda. You deserve a life full of love, happiness, and celebration.
Don’t make the mistake of thinking you aren’t capable of achieving this. Being sober is hard work, but it’s worth it.
