While learning how to stay sober may be challenging, it is possible. In fact, when looking at the statistics for 12-step programs or addiction rehab facilities, people with addiction have a better chance of avoiding relapse than those with similar relapsing diseases. Those who have cancer or diabetes and go into remission actually have a much higher chance of their illness returning than those in recovery from addiction.
How to Stay Sober by Staying Out of Your Own Way
If people have a better chance of preventing relapse in addiction than with any other relapsing illness, then why do people turn back to drugs or alcohol? The simplest answer is that many people who are trying to get sober are unwilling to put in the work. The only thing that stands in between a person and their sobriety is themselves, but many don’t realize this. There’s a saying that there are only three things a person needs to stay sober:
- Honesty
- Open-mindedness
- Willingness
Willingness is the most important of the three. Without willingness, people keep closed minds and aren’t able to change their lives in order to prevent relapse. People often don’t understand that if they don’t begin to gradually change everything, they’ll relapse. A lot of this has to do with the ability, to be honest with oneself that life has become highly unmanageable in addiction.
A Strong Aftercare Plan
Some people believe that addiction treatment programs are all they need to do in order to guarantee sobriety. It’s true that these types of programs help people create a strong foundation of recovery. However, addiction treatment facilities don’t have a cure for addiction. Long term recovery is possible, but in order to achieve it, people need to be willing to go through with an aftercare plan after treatment.
The aftercare plan can include following up with a therapist or psychiatrist in order to work on symptoms of mental illness. A quality facility is also going to suggest that a person goes to 12-step meetings after treatment as well. These meetings are a great place to get support and hope from others. These fellowships are built upon one person helping another, and a halfway house can help as well.
Going to Sober Living
One of the best ways to continue to strengthen a person’s sobriety is by moving into a home with other sober people. In sober living homes, a house manager ensures that everyone in the house stays sober. This is to help guarantee that each person won’t have to worry about someone in the house drinking or using, which can trigger everyone else. Each day when a person wakes up and returns home, he or she also knows that there’s a support group to return to.
Pinnacle Peak Recovery specializes in showing people how to stay sober. Give us a call today at 866-377-4761 to begin your journey to long-term recovery.
