4 Tips to Maintaining Sobriety Throughout The Recovery Process

Overcoming addiction is tough, really tough. But after taking the first step towards getting help, the feeling is overwhelmingly amazing to achieve and maintain. The result of being clear-minded and pure is well-worth the pain and suffering that it takes to get to that point. I should know, because I was an addict for the majority of my young life.

I took my first sip of alcohol at the age of 12 with the influence of a cousin that pressured me into trying a shot of aguardiente at a Colombian family gathering. From that point on, I was hooked. Nothing else mattered. Not my friends, family, schooling, nor work. I only looked forward to getting that next buzz. My drinking led to other things, as I became bored with just a normal buzz. I continued on to using marijuana and eventually meth, which led me in and out of jail. This downward spiral continued for 14 years, until I finally hit rock bottom at the age of 26. I looked around and noticed that the people that once cared for and loved me were no longer there. I had officially given up hope and they stopped believing in me as well.

I began first by being honest with myself and recognizing that I needed help. From there, I applied each and every one of the 12 Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous and began the long and difficult road to recovery. I can’t say it was an easy journey, but today I can proudly say that I am 8 years sober and have never felt stronger.

I would love to share with you some of the things that I learned along the way to help you become the best version of yourself.

Be Optimistic and Grateful

There will be days that you want to give up and give in to the evil temptations that await around every corner, but by believing in yourself and a brighter future, your will to succeed will trump all negativity. You can do this. You are strong. And you deserve better. Don’t ever forget that.

Look towards the future and all of the amazing things that present themselves in your life. Develop a plan for your future, crafting the ideal scenario that you see yourself in. Be grateful of what you have and don’t focus on what you don’t have. Put out only positive vibes into the world, and only good energy and outcomes will be reciprocated.

Find a Sponsor That Has Been in Your Shoes

By surrounding yourself with others that have been through the same struggle that you have and have came out with their head held high, you will greatly increase your chances of eliminating your addiction and maintaining your sobriety. A great resource in finding a sponsor or accountability partner is through your local AA group.

There are a number of factors you should look for in a sponsor, they should be: the same gender, sober for at least a year, sponsored by someone as well, honest and straightforward, positive and optimistic, and someone that is not afraid to give their time to others. You shouldn’t jump into being sponsored by just anybody, but rather someone that you feel comfortable sharing with the most intimate and vulnerable moments of your life.

Take Care of Your Health

Once you draw the line in the sand with your addiction and say enough is enough, you will steadily begin to feel more healthy and alert. To help amplify this incredible feeling of clearness and purity, begin exercising and eating healthier on a daily basis. By using fitness and nutrition as your drug of choice, not only will you begin to feel better, but they will give your mind something else to focus on instead of indulging in the temptations that present themselves. You will start to both feel and look amazing in no time.

Pick up a New Hobby or Learn a New Skill

Along the same lines of introducing healthy physical habits into your daily routine, picking up a new hobby will help distract your mind from all of the clutter that begins to distract you from your goal of staying sober. Some people like to read, some enjoy gardening and botany, and other like playing a musical instrument. Whatever it is that makes you happy and keeps you motivated, take it a step further and focus your energy on learning and growing in that particular area. If you don’t know what interests you, take a look at this list of some possible options.

Remember these “4 tips” as you continue making improvements and living the incredible life that you were meant to live soberly. You will begin to love yourself and others more and more each day, leading to a life filled with extraordinary people and experiences.