It’s a new year, and you’re ready for a new, sober you. That’s fantastic! But it won’t be as easy as simply stopping the use of your favorite substance.
If you really want to get sober and stay sober, there are several things you need to do. That’s why we’ve put together the following 3 steps to embracing a sober you in the new year.
1. Give Yourself Space to Get to Know the New Sober You
There are probably many reasons you started using, and for a while, you’ve only known the addicted you. When you stop using, however, you might feel a little awkward, as if you don’t know yourself at all.
The first thing to know is that it’s perfectly normal. The second thing to know is that it’s okay to give yourself some space to get to know this new, sober you. Take the time to explore your honest feelings and values.
Ask yourself what it is you really care about and how you would like yourself to change as you embrace sobriety. Don’t judge yourself for your past behavior; instead, focus on how the new you will embrace vibrant living.
Make a list of your goals and how you will achieve them. That will give you something positive to focus on as you enter this new phase of your life.
2. It’s Time for New Interests
For a new, sober you in the new year, you’re going to have to change your habits and interests. If you go to the same places and do the same things as you have been doing as an addict, it will be that much more difficult to stop using.
Instead, begin developing new, healthier habits that can help prevent you from missing your substance of choice. Studies show, for example, that people who get regular aerobic exercise are more protected from engaging in compulsive behavioral patterns associated with substance use and relapse.
A habit is little more than a set of behaviors associated with specific triggers. To break the habit, you need to change up the behaviors that trigger addictive compulsions as you embrace your sobriety.
3. Change Your Relationships
Maybe you’ve got a loving, supportive group of friends who are encouraging you to get and stay sober, but if you’re like most addicts, you’ve got a circle of friends who reinforce your bad habits. To really change, you have to seek out people who will support your recovery and help you avoid temptation.
That sounds harsh, and many addicts will claim that they can get and stay sober despite having addicted friends. However, the truth is that our social relationships strongly influence our substance use behavior and recovery, as this study out of Norway demonstrates.
To get and stay sober, you need loving, supportive friends who truly have your best interests at heart. So, drop the addicted relationships and seek out a positive support network.
Sober Sidekick’s Support Network for the New, Sober You
Every single one of the more than 150,000 Sober Sidekick members understands exactly what you’re going through, and we’re here to help. Making those positive connections significantly improves your chances of staying sober, so why not give it a try today as part of the new, sober you?!
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