Do you want to know how to be sober in 2023? If so, then there are some important things you need to do to ensure success. Staying sober and getting through life without drugs or alcohol can be challenging, but it’s far from impossible as long as you take the right steps.
In this blog post, we’ll provide 10 of those necessary steps that will help you stay sober over the next year. We’ll explain how sober living and making small changes to your lifestyle can make all the difference when it comes to meeting your sobriety goals in 2023!
What Is Sobriety?
Sobriety is a term that can be used in different ways but typically refers to not being under the influence of a substance. For many people, sobriety means total abstinence from the substance. However, for others, sobriety is more about the process of recovery and developing habits that support health and wellness over the long term.
While total abstinence may be the goal, setbacks are common after addiction treatment; 80% of people have at least one relapse. It takes more than willpower to avoid having a relapse. Sobriety is a journey of self-discovery and healing, and developing good coping mechanisms to manage cravings and urges can help create lasting sobriety.
10 Things To Do To Stay Sober In 2023
There are a lot of things you can do to stay sober in 2023. Here are 10 tips for staying sober:
Find a Mentor or Sponsor
Having someone to talk with, providing advice and guidance through recovery, can be invaluable when trying to cope and make life changes. Mentors and sponsors often have personal experience in dealing with substance use disorder, giving them insight into both the problems and the solutions that an individual facing substance abuse may not have easily identified on their own.
Even if you feel comfortable in your support network, having a more knowledgeable person to spend time with helps ensure that the recovery process is well-considered and comprehensive. This extra layer of care can help a person stay on track toward sobriety, making it easier to achieve long-term goals.
Identify and Avoid triggers.
A trigger can be anything that sparks a craving for drugs or alcohol. Triggers can be physical places, people, and even certain emotions like boredom and depression. Avoiding these triggers is essential to prevent a dangerous relapse into substance or drug abuse.
Becoming aware of your triggers is the best way to make sure you stay on the path toward sobriety. It’s also important to make sure you have effective strategies for dealing with cravings when you are triggered – such as talking with someone about what you are feeling, going for a walk, or reading an inspirational book.
Stay away from negative people.
Negative people can bring you down and make it harder to stay on the right path. To maintain sobriety, it is important to identify those who might be a bad influence or act as triggers for drug or alcohol abuse. If possible, try to limit contact with these individuals and focus on cultivating relationships to help maintain your recovery.
Surround yourself with new supportive and understanding friends who will help you stay accountable and remind you of your goals when the going gets tough.
Make a sobriety plan.
Creating a sobriety plan will help you stay focused on your goals. A sobriety plan outlines steps to remain sober, such as attending meetings, talking to counselors and support groups, engaging in activities that promote recovery, and avoiding people or situations that could trigger a relapse.
Planning how you will stay sober can be incredibly helpful in staying on track and preventing a relapse.
Set realistic goals for yourself
Establishing realistic goals can help you create a roadmap that outlines your sober journey. It gives you something tangible to work towards each day. Setting and achieving a goal can also motivate and help build self-confidence and a sense of accomplishment.
Furthermore, this process allows you to track progress, set smaller goals as milestones along the way, adjust plans accordingly if life takes an unexpected turn, and reset priorities when necessary. Realistic goals can provide direction when it feels like the whole world is spinning out of control and set achievable targets that keep you on the right path toward sobriety.
Develop a support system
Support networks are vital to successful substance abuse recovery. This can include new friends, family members, and professionals who provide emotional and practical support. You can build the strength and courage needed to remain sober and continue your recovery journey through these relationships.
A strong network will help ensure you have someone to lean on when things get tough, providing support, accountability, and motivation.
Develop healthy habits
Finally, developing healthy habits has multiple benefits and can go a long way in helping you stay sober. Exercising regularly, eating nutritious foods, and getting enough sleep are all critical components to maintaining physical and mental well-being.
Additionally, staying active in the community by volunteering or joining social activities can help foster meaningful relationships and provide a distraction from unhealthy cravings. Incorporating these habits into daily life will help build a better foundation for sobriety in the long run.
Join a recovery group or 12-step program
Finding a recovery group or 12-step program can immensely benefit those in recovery. These programs provide peer support, guidance, and accountability to help individuals stay on the right path. Furthermore, they offer fellowship to those who have gone through similar experiences and provide an open forum to discuss triggers and strategies for avoiding relapse.
Many 12-step programs also provide structured weekly meetings and resources to help maintain sobriety. Joining mutual support groups can be an invaluable tool in assisting individuals in staying sober and on the right track. Staying sober requires hard work and dedication for those struggling with substance abuse.
Celebrate Milestones
Finally, it’s important to recognize and celebrate milestones along the way. Celebrating your progress can encourage and motivate you to continue on the path of sobriety. It is also helpful to remember that recovery is a journey, and no one expects perfection. Learning from mistakes or setbacks is part of the process, so don’t be too hard on yourself. Taking the time to recognize where you’ve been and how far you’ve come is an important part of staying sobriety.
Stay connected with family members and friends who support you in staying sober.
Not only does connecting with those who care about you offer physical and emotional support, but it can help to foster a sense of accountability. Having these supportive people in your life can remind you why staying sober is so important – whether it’s a reason that centers around yourself, your family, or the future.
Creating a network of people who believe in you and offer positive reinforcement can go a long way toward establishing sustainable sobriety over the long term. Additionally, having healthy relationships in your corner makes it much easier to access emergency help when necessary or take advantage of resources for recovery as needed.
Conclusion
Remaining sober can be difficult and daunting, but it is achievable with substance abuse treatment and the right approach. Incorporating these tips into your recovery journey can help you stay on track and foster long-term sobriety.
It’s important to remember that staying sober requires hard work and dedication, but it is worth it in the end. Surrounding yourself with supportive people, developing healthy habits, family therapy, and celebrating your progress are all critical components to maintaining sobriety. With the right tools in place, it is possible to stay sober for life.
