Pursuing Sobriety
The new year is always a time of promise and change – it’s when we reflect on the past several months and how we feel about them. It’s also an opportunity to look ahead and seize the chance for growth. If you’ve conducted a personal inventory, you may have realized that your substance use has spiraled out of control. Beginning the new year with the goal of finding recovery is a very brave decision. To help you, we’ve created a guide for pursuing sobriety in 2020.
Create Accountability
The first step to getting sober is to enlist your friends and family members into the recovery process. Tell them about your intentions to stop drinking or using drugs – odds are that they’ve been looking forward to this news and will be excited to help you in your efforts. From that point, they can hold you accountable and assist you with finding treatment.
Invest in Yourself
It’s difficult to manage your finances when you’re in active addiction (or if you’re going out every weekend). Instead of throwing that money away on drugs and alcohol, use it towards your recovery. For some, this may mean investing in a residential addiction treatment program. For others, it may involve creating a budget for therapy, self-care or a quick vacation. Research shows that the longer an individual spends in treatment, the better their chances of lasting sobriety. We encourage you to pursue professional, accredited addiction treatment.
Avoid Boredom
One of the largest factors in relapse is boredom. If you have too much time on your hands, it’s tempting to fall back into your old habits. You can avoid this obstacle by finding a new hobby. If you’re unsure of where to start, look back to your childhood. Did you look forward to painting in art class or enjoy team sports? Those can be excellent outlets in your adult life, too.
Put Your Health First
If you’ve spent any amount of time doing drugs or drinking heavily, you’ve doubtless noticed that it takes a physical toll. By getting sober, you’ve already taken a great step to restoring your health. You can continue this momentum by eating nutritious meals, joining the gym or spending time outside. As your body recovers, you may be surprised by how much you’re capable of. Be sure to focus on your needs in recovery – this is how you will build a strong foundation in the days ahead.
Participate in AA or NA
One of the most impactful steps a person seeking sobriety can take is to involve themselves in a recovery group. Whether you choose to attend AA, NA or a group provided by your local treatment center, you may be surprised by how important a sober support network can be. Not only will you create another layer of personal accountability, but you’ll hear stories of men and women experiencing the same obstacles as you.
Change Your Routine
If nothing changes, nothing changes. You can’t expect to live by the same schedule, go to the same potentially triggering locations and spend time with the same old drinking buddies, all while maintaining your sobriety. These factors can jeopardize your newfound recovery. Instead, change things up; take a different route to work or schedule dinners with another group of friends. If you’re worried about the temptation to call up a dealer, delete those phone contacts. By taking small, actionable steps, you’ll be more likely to succeed in the long run.
Recover Your Life and Find Sobriety in 2020
At Cumberland Heights, we understand that recovery is a journey. We’re happy to help you along the way. Please contact our helpful admissions staff for information about our detoxification, residential treatment or outpatient services.
