Staying Clean and Sober: Your Guide to Long-Term Sobriety

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I’ve experienced several remarkable benefits of prayer journaling in recovery. In addition, it’s created an intimate closeness with God. Prayer journaling is a healing practice and a spiritual release. Say goodbye to luxuries such as Uber Eats and put that money towards bills and debt relief. If you want to stay sober, you have a better chance if you’re maintaining a budget and happier with your finances. Did you know that performing random acts of kindness boosts your mental health?

staying free staying clean sober

Sobriety is a process that can lead to a more fulfilling and stable life, focusing on long-term recovery and personal growth. This isn’t to say that you need to isolate yourself from friends and family members Living in a Sober House: Fundamental Rules entirely, but it’s important to develop a strong social support network for recovery. A commonality in people with substance abuse disorders is a lack of sound routine.

Join a support group.

There are medically assisted treatments (M.A.T.) for opioid use disorders. The FHE Health team is committed to providing accurate information that adheres to the highest standards of writing. This is part of our ongoing commitment to ensure FHE Health is trusted as a leader in mental health and addiction care. A relapse is something that begins before even reaching for that drink. Understanding your triggers and recognizing signs of relapse can help long before the opportunity for alcohol/substances arises.

Why Aren’t You Drinking? 10 Confident Responses to This Common Question

This may mean, finding new friends, avoiding work events/happy hours, or even avoiding traveling near locations that could be triggering. Most people who make their way into recovery have left a lot of pain and suffering in their wake. Feeling guilty or ashamed of past behavior or actions during active addiction is natural and healthy. Once you do return to work, it’s important to create a budget and take steps to safeguard yourself as work stress can be a relapse trigger. You may also need to change your route to work or home in order to avoid any triggers, or people, places, or things that make you want to use drugs or drink again. Some of the immediate changes you will need to make will be obvious—like not hanging around the people that you used with or obtained drugs from.

  • Opioid overdoses often involve a loss of consciousness, breathing difficulties, choking, or an inability to respond to stimuli.
  • Also, my faith has helped me live through experiences I cannot imagine surviving without God.
  • There are several resources available to help you with quitting substance misuse and entering formal treatment.
  • I realize some people would suggest that God placed me there first, but that is a lack of faith.
  • Helping another creates feelings of connection, belonging, and value, thus increasing self-worth and stimulating the ‘feel good’ chemistry in your brain.
  • Notably, loving yourself makes it more challenging to violate that love with drugs and alcohol.

Examples of Common Recovery Goals

  • Personal growth and goal setting provide structure and purpose to your recovery journey.
  • Do you have a loved one or family member that works out?
  • Hosted by therapist Amy Morin, LCSW, this episode of The Verywell Mind Podcast shares how to avoid repeating mistakes and build better habits.
  • Once you get sober, you must establish your boundaries with relationships, environments, and things.
  • Many 12-step programs suggest that sobriety means total abstinence, which means never using the substance again.

Here are a dozen things that prove helpful in maintaining a sober lifestyle. Personal growth and goal setting provide structure and purpose to your recovery journey. They help fill the void left by substance use and create a fulfilling, sober life. By setting achievable goals and pursuing personal development, you’re not just staying sober—you’re thriving in sobriety. Long-term therapy plays a crucial role in maintaining sobriety.

Online Support Groups

Allow https://northiowatoday.com/2025/01/27/sober-house-rules-what-you-should-know-before-moving-in/ the people who’ve gone before you, to lead you down this new and exciting, scary path. The relief you once sought in your drug of choice, can be found in these groups. Sharing your story, no holds barred, with someone who’s been there, promotes healing and accountability.

Steps to Get Back on Track

That’s why we have a comprehensive set of treatment providers and don’t charge for inclusion. Any center that meets our criteria can list for free. We do not and have never accepted fees for referring someone to a particular center.

For Treatment Providers

staying free staying clean sober

It wasn’t until I saw a therapist that I received homework that determined what mental health condition I had. So that I could receive proper treatment, if I hadn’t seen a therapist, I would remain undiagnosed and not adequately treated. If you do not get therapy or other professional services to deal with trauma, you have a higher chance of relapse.

Understanding the concepts of sober vs clean and the difference between sober and clean is an essential part of navigating recovery. Whether you identify more with being clean vs sober, the most important thing is to find a path that works for you and supports your long-term well-being. As much as possible, wake up at the same time every day and go to sleep at the same time. Do relaxing activities to wind you down before bed. Substance abuse imposes tremendous financial costs, and yet, somehow, you once maintained a habit. It’s time to become financially responsible, starting with a budget.