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5 Ways to Manage Sobriety Outside of Rehab

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5 ways to manage sobriety outside of rehab

Dealing with addiction is a painstaking and complicated process that takes a large sum of mental effort and outside support. Managing your addiction can sometimes feel like you’re drowning, but there are plenty of effective ways to make the transition to sober living easier.

  1. Create a Support System

Loneliness can be detrimental to an addict’s sobriety because it gives them time to fall in to the same negative habits that fueled their addiction. If you are struggling with addiction, surround yourself with a close group of family and friends.

This helps you manage your sobriety by making you feel accountable. If other people are aware of your struggle, then you’ll feel more responsible for your own well-being since your actions are now affecting other people as well.

Having a space where you feel comfortable talking about your emotions is also helpful because it keeps you from falling into a downward spiral. Feeling heard and validated makes you less likely to succumb to your addiction because you have a space to release those toxic feelings.

  1. Join a Sober Living Home

This aligns perfectly with the previous point about creating a support system. A sober living home differs from a rehab facility because it doesn’t provide treatment for addiction, but instead offers an environment of like-minded individuals who live in a space free of drugs and alcohol and focus on staying sober.

New Life House is a sober living environment in California that offers 24/7 support, frequent meetings, a 12-step program, comprehensive structure, distraction elimination, and positive collaboration.

For those who have trouble creating a support system on your own, a sober living home is a good alternative because it automatically matches you with a community of people who share the same goals. Fighting addiction is much easier in a space where you are less likely to give in to temptations.

  1. Stay Distracted

If you have too much free time, it can be easy to fall prey to your addiction. Staying busy is one of the most effective ways to maintain your sobriety and find a healthy outlet for your struggles.

Exercise can help you minimize the number of triggers you have, as well as distract your mind so your desire to drink or do drugs doesn’t run rampant. It will also reduce your stress levels and elevate your mood.

Exercising releases endorphins that can ease some of the restless feelings you may be experiencing while trying to manage your sobriety. Many people who struggle with addiction also have sleep issues, and exercising can also help with that.

  1. Remember the Cost

Don’t hesitate to remind yourself just how dangerous your addiction is. In the moments where you feel tempted to give in to your addiction, think about the consequences instead.

Scare yourself by thinking about the negative impact addiction can have on your physical and mental health. Think back to times where addiction put you in a bad situation and remember that those things can easily happen again.

Don’t just rely on other people to make you feel accountable, but hold yourself accountable as well. This ties back into the point about distractions. Rather than think about your temptation, think about the detriments of addiction.

  1. Keep Track of your Progress

Motivation tends to dwindle if you don’t keep track of your progress. Humans need to feel validated, so reward yourself for your efforts by paying attention to your recovery milestones.

Reflecting back on the time you’ve stayed sober is a form of positive affirmation. Reminding yourself why you started this journey will give you the morale boost you need to keep striving for a sober life.

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