Are you struggling to stay sober after an addiction to drugs or alcohol?
Remember that deciding to quit is a difficult choice to make. It can be even harder to cope with the withdrawal symptoms that frequently accompany that decision.
However, getting sober is all about taking back control of your life. You might be tired or not feeling like yourself, or just looking for healthier ways to deal with stress. Whatever the case, you need (and want) to feel good about being sober.
In this article, we’ll cover:
- How to seek help when you hate being sober
- some tips for staying sober
- Things you can do to help stay sober.
Let’s get started.
1. Seek professional help
The first step to seeking help is to reach out to someone whose job is to help you.
It might seem like a scary step to make, but it can be the most necessary. Professional help can help ground you and come to terms with your sober journey.
Try talking to your doctor first. They can help refer you to an addictions specialist or therapist. In extreme cases, seeking professional help might mean going to rehab.
Whatever the case, talking to a professional is a good first step to figuring out why you hate being sober.
2. Explore the root causes
What’s the reason why you hate being sober? Are you sick of the nasty withdrawal symptoms, or is there a deeper cause?
Try exploring the reasons why you hate being sober in the first place. Could it be because of stress, your career, family troubles, or even changes in your life?
Don’t worry if you can’t figure it out! There are plenty of other ways you can explore these issues.
3. Consider therapy or counseling
If you’re struggling to figure out the root cause of your problem, finding someone to help is the next step. Therapy or counseling are good ways to work out where you’re at and guide you through the next steps.
They can also be a good solution if you don’t feel ready for intensive treatment. You can see someone once or twice a week, or even when you feel comfortable. This introduces a safe space in your routine to talk about your addiction and other worries.
4. Join support groups
Another idea is to find a pre-existing support group. Meeting up with others who share your struggles is a good step to coming to terms with your troubles.
There are plenty of options, from finding local community groups to online sobriety forums.
You can also start your own support group if you have mutual friends in the same boat. Try reaching out within your community.
5. Find healthy alternatives
If you’re still craving the taste of alcohol, why not find a healthier alternative? There’s plenty of 0% alcohol wine and beer on the market these days, and even more when it comes to mocktails!
If you’re a social drinker, find other activities you can do that don’t involve alcohol. For example, go see a movie, visit a theme park, or even try out a new sport.
6. Set goals for sobriety
Quitting cold turkey can be a real challenge. It can hurt your mental and physical health.
Start by setting goals to help you stay sober; this could be anywhere from a few weeks to several months. Don’t forget to celebrate your milestones with friends and family!
7. Surround yourself with positive influences
Make sure you hang around the real ones, not the ones who’ll encourage your bad habits. You don’t need to cut off entire friendships, just understand who’s helping you stay sober.
Try to find supportive friends to surround yourself with when you need them. You can invite them to join you in sober activities and discuss your journey if they want to lend an ear.
8. Practice self-care
While you’re on your sober journey, make sure you’re taking care of yourself first and foremost. There are plenty of ways you can take care of yourself.
For example, you could try out a new skincare routine, start going to the gym, or even eat healthier. Start with whatever makes you feel good about yourself.
9. Learn a new skill or language
Another way you can make being sober fun is by learning new skills or picking up different hobbies. Surround yourself with sober activities that’ll encourage your sobriety.
For example, you could try attending language classes. Or practice following knitting tutorials on YouTube. What about baking? There are lots of new skills out there ready for you to explore!
10. Enjoy nature and outdoor activities
Finally, don’t forget to reconnect with nature. Getting out into the great outdoors is a good way to return to sobriety. Breathe in fresh air as you go for a nature walk; the world’s your oyster!
You could also try new outdoor activities. Go camping, hiking, climbing, or even swimming – whatever helps you feel most at peace with nature.
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