12 Tips for Staying Sober Throughout the Holidays

One of the last and most important facets of embracing being sober is that it offers you the opportunity to rebuild trust and repair past damages caused by addiction. By maintaining your sobriety, you tips to stay sober can demonstrate your commitment to change and work towards restoring relationships that may have been strained or broken. However, the rewards that come with it are well worth the effort invested.

  • And unfortunately, technology was not my best friend.
  • Like the triggers, making an inventory of warning signs that you experience may allow you to avoid an oncoming relapse.
  • When I stopped drinking, at 27, all I wanted was some peace, a job, and a place to live.
  • Breathing is a great way to give yourself something to focus on instead of your rapid thoughts.

Nutrition for Addiction Recovery

Avoid overeating and eliminate or reduce sugary and junk food from your diet. It’s essential to build relationships with people who are supportive and focused on activities that will support your sobriety. Support groups, community organizations, sports groups, and religious organizations are some of the best places to find friends with whom you can develop healthy relationships. Knowing and recognizing relapse warning signs when they show up will help you make healthy choices that will not lead to drugs. If you slip and use drugs or alcohol, it’s important not to let a singular act derail your journey to recovery.

Learn to Manage Stress

tips to stay sober

Even short-term accomplishments should be celebrated for those struggling with addiction. As you build on your success, you can celebrate months and years of sober milestones. They help you achieve goals and ensure you remember what’s more important than drinking or doing drugs.

tips to stay sober

How to enjoy alcohol in moderation

Recognizing and reflecting on our patterns is how we develop self-awareness. We’re also out of balance when we spend hours ruminating about what we said or did the night before, or whether we should have a drink tonight. You might choose long walks, kettlebell training, long-distance bike rides, short HIIT workouts — how you move doesn’t really matter. What’s important is finding activities that bring you joy, which is the best motivator.

Build a robust support network

A Monday-morning workout that sets us up for the week. A sober Saturday night with friends, followed by waking up Sunday morning with the energy to exercise. There’s a reason this three-word phrase is overused… it works. Proper nutrition and regular exercise improve our moods and make us feel better overall. If you haven’t been already, eat well and work out as part of your recovery process.

Maintaining social relationships while sober

We’ll explore exactly what alcohol use disorder is, often referred to as alcoholism, uplift the stories of those who found sobriety, and share steps you can take if you need support. Eat healthy & regularly, exercise, & get a full 8-hours of sleep. Take alone-time when you need it & monitor your energy levels & moods, to stay healthy, active, & balanced.

Recognize Relapse Warning Signs

tips to stay sober

Our experts have decades of experience helping people with all kinds of substance issues and can help you identify your personal triggers and warning signs. Experts often describe relapse as a process that begins long before an addict returns to using a substance. Like the triggers, making an inventory of warning signs that you experience may allow you to avoid an oncoming relapse. Recovery from a substance use disorder or addiction is rarely an easy path. Some days will be a breeze, while others can be downright scary and overwhelming.

How to Find Social Activities That Don’t Involve Social Drinking

tips to stay sober

Practice mindfulness and relaxation techniques to manage stress