How to Stay Sober

Sobriety doesn't come easy. People in the Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous circles recognize the need for continual support. For most people this approach to sobriety works. If you are a person who has tried A.A. or N.A. or done your stints in rehab and are still struggling, don't give up hope. Celebrities are in and out of rehab and still struggle with sobriety, so having endless finances isn't necessarily the answer. So you might ask, "What is the answer?" This brief synopses won't give you all the answers, but should point you in the direction of asking yourself the right questions.

Instructions

Difficulty: Challenging

1. Choose sobriety. Beyond the issue of addiction, sobriety is a choice. Choosing to stay sober, although a healthy choice may not come easy.
2. Consider the A.A. community's recommendation of "One Day At a Time." Whether you choose to participate in A.A./N.A. or not this is still very sound advice.
3. Have a replacement behavior when the drinking or drug use stops. Ask yourself what you will do to replace the substance. Watch for symptom substitution (replacing one addiction with another). This can create a vicious circle making it very difficult for you to find your way toward health.
4. Identify your triggers. Track the precursors to your drug or alcohol use. Devise a plan to try and avoid all triggers.
5. Evaluate your relationships. It may become necessary to change your circle of friends if they are still using.
6. Establish a healthy diet and exercise routine. Using substances can deplete your body of necessary nutrients (vitamins, proteins, minerals, enzymes and vital life forces).
7. Consider developing your spiritual life (however you personally define spirituality). Leading a fully balanced life will help you maintain wellness.
8. Watch for patterns of denial and avoidance, which keep the addiction active. You may need professional support to break through this cycle. Remember all patterns of behavior can be very seductive because their familiarity brings a increased level of comfort. This attraction is true even with unhealthy behavior.

Tips & Warnings

• Talk with a physician about conducting an evaluation to identify if any underlying conditions are present.
• If you are self-medicating, seek professional support to help you make a healthier choice.
• Your choice to use substances is not someone else's fault. Don't play the blame game. Don't waste time blaming yourself, either; expend the energy to get well!
• Some prescription medications such as pain medications can be highly addictive.
• Work closely with your physician to ensure that you do not develop an addiction to pain medications.
• Addictions can be about obsessive and compulsive behaviors; understanding this can help you make better choices.
• Getting sober can pose serious health risks; detoxification must be medically observed.
• Relapse is best if perceived as a dot on the continuum.
• Be careful not to let shame or guild overwhelm you.
• Don't take an "Oh Well" attitude and use it as an excuse to keep using.
• Mixing prescription medications with non-prescribed substances can be lethal.
• Relationships are frequently destroyed by substance use; the cycle of avoidance and denial feeds the addiction.
• Addiction to pain medications presents a more complicated picture, work closely with your physician.
• Don't let addictions destroy your intimate relationships.
• Most incidents of domestic violence involve the use of substances. Don't let your family become a statistic.