Staying Sober Through 2016
Written by Craig Rogers, Posted on , in Section Teens & Tweens
The new year is always the perfect time for reflection, change, and goal setting. Some of the most missed goals are those set for new years resolutions. If your goal is to stay sober, the consequences could be much more dire than simply missing a day at the gym or not reading as many new books as you wanted to. Staying sober often takes much more effort than other ambitions, and ultimately could be the best thing for you. Here is Therapy Insiders guide to staying sober in 2016.
1. Discover Where You Are in the Process
There are two parts to this first step. Chances are, you didn’t just up and quit one day and never go back (although some people do). If that works for you, great. Otherwise you need to realize where you are in the recovery process.
Withdrawal: This might be the most difficult part of getting sober. This will last for one or two weeks and includes physical symptoms, which will depend on what your addiction is. In severe cases, some people require medical attention to get past the withdrawal process.
Abstinence: Early and Protracted abstinence last from 6 weeks to a year. The chemicals in your body have readjusted to life without addiction, and can be moderately difficult. Depression, irritability, and overall moodiness will occur. Exercise will help in sustaining abstinence.
Readjustment: You don’t get as many cravings as you used to, but you still feel susceptible to relapse. Avoiding triggers and staying on your routine will help you stay on the right track.
2. Take the Next Step
Realizing where you are in the healing process will help you know the next steps you need to take in getting sober. Group meetings such as AA are great for getting together with others who share your same struggles and sharing what works for you. Individual, couple, and family therapy can also help you and your family design a support system to help you stay on track. Also, identify your triggers and avoid them at all costs. If you haven’t heard of Pavlov’s Dogs, look up the experiment and understand what that means for you. Learning how to cope with triggers will help you greatly in your quest for staying sober. Keep track of how many days you have been sober. This will foster feelings of success and confidence, but it is important to focus on today.
There are many strategies and tips for staying sober. As you continue to change and improve, know that you can become a better person and total sobriety is a possibility.
