۵ Tips for Maintaining Long-Term Recovery

If you’re not sure if you’re ready to change or you’re struggling with the decision, it can help to think about the costs and benefits of each choice. You will inevitably be offered a wine menu, a drink at a party or find yourself in another situation where your decision to abstain becomes topic of conversation. You may not be at a point where you are comfortable saying you are in recovery or you are an alcoholic — the goal is to create a safe space around you and to surround yourself with recovery. Decide what you feel comfortable with ahead of time, so you feel comfortable without however you decide to decline to drink. Again, if you’re fearing a relapse due to guilt, distress and shame, then close your eyes and imagine this scenario. Picture your past self standing before you, then take your love and compassion and hold it in a ball of light in front of you. In your imagination, give the ball to your past self and watch as your love surrounds and eventually engulfs them.

But in some alcoholics, withdrawal is not just unpleasant—it can be life threatening. Partial hospitalizationis for people who require ongoing medical monitoring but have a stable living situation. These treatment programs usually meet at the hospital for 3-5 days a week, 4-6 hours per day. Many youth groups, colleges and community centers now offer sober holiday celebrations as a way for students and others to avoid binge drinking. In cities like New York, “Sober St. Patrick’s Day” events welcome those who want to celebrate Irish culture without a beer in hand. Some organizations host annual alcohol-free events at ice skating rinks or other venues where Irish dancing or arts and crafts are featured.

Tips for Maintaining Sobriety

Now that you’re in recovery, treat yourself to a massage or a new pair or shoes to celebrate how far you’ve come. It takes more than 30 days to develop and nurture a solid foundation for sobriety. Mark joined the medical team at The Freedom Center in September 2018 as the Medical Director. He received his medical degree in Mexico with further certification from Rutgers Medical School in New Jersey. He then attended New York Medical College for his residency training. Vanessa is certified in addictions counseling by Maryland’s Board of Professional Counselors and Therapists, with credentials as a clinical supervisor. She comes to The Freedom Center with over 14 years of direct experience in residential and outpatient treatment between the private and federal sectors.

A large network of support is necessary to stay sober, but your biggest supporter needs to be you. When you feel yourself needing a drink, start reminding yourself what you’re thankful for. You can do this out loud or silently to yourself, but start reciting all the things you’re thankful for and appreciative of. Studies have shown that gratitude can improve your mental wellbeing and actually help you make better decisions. I’m trying to take care of myself, and you want me to take care of an animal? Time that may otherwise be spent heading out and buying alcohol has to be spent taking your dog for a walk — they need to go out.

End toxic relationships and create healthy friendships

Not only is this a great way to occupy your time, but you also will meet new people and develop new healthy habits. Finally, if https://ecosoberhouse.com/ you’ve tried self-help strategies and find yourself not able to fully quit drinking, it may be time to seek professional help.

• You may need to end past relationships and build a new routine with people who support your recovery.
• No matter how many years you’ve been clean and sober, you’re never totally out of the woods.
• Your intentions may be good, but it takes more thanwillpowerto avoid having a relapse.
• When addiction is the foe your vet is facing, it’s even more painful.

Make a table like the one below, weighing the costs and benefits of drinking to the costs and benefits of quitting. alcohol recovery tips #1 Identify and prepare for how holidays, like St. Patrick’s Day, can lead and trigger you to drink.

Avoid Your Old Routine

If you have a bad day or even a big celebration, these could also trigger a relapse. Take control of your emotions – and ask someone to be there for you. Worrying about slipping back into old destructive patterns can consume your mind. Meditation will help you quiet your mind and center yourself. Our compassionate admissions navigators are ready to help you or a loved one when you call our 24/7 addiction helpline.

• Getting quality medical care will keep you safe and promote recovery success.
• Outpatient treatment allows you to live at home and travel to a facility for treatment on a regular basis.
• Thankfully, there are many practices you can put in place to maintain sobriety, and by implementing the following tips for staying sober, you will lessen your risk of relapse.
• It can be managed, and it can be treated, but you need to constantly work at it.

This experience allowed him to learn the inner workings of almost any aspect of a company. It also taught him the value of building meaningful relationships with clients and having a strong ethical framework. Maintaining long-term recovery is a lot easier if you have the right type of help and support. Here, at The Freedom Center, we can offer you all that you need to get and, more importantly, stay sober. Alcohol recovery is a process—one that often involves setbacks.

The 5 Most Inspiring Addiction Recovery Movies

Remember that a relaxed mind breeds positivity, which you’re going to need a lot of during your addiction recovery phase. Do you know what is more challenging than getting sober?

Learn that you have choices and that you can maintain control. If any area of your life is out of control, it will not help you maintain lasting sobriety. Shame is having negative beliefs about yourself and your self-worth. Guilt is having negative feelings about your past behavior. People in recovery can experience a lot of shame simply for having become addicted in the first place. 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.

This aims to help you change unhelpful or negative thoughts and behaviors that contribute to or are a result of alcoholism. You’ll learn stress management and relapse prevention skills to help you stay sober. Medication alone can reduce cravings and withdrawal, but recovering from an addictive disorder requires a rewiring of the brain and medication alone is not enough.