Tips For Staying Clean And Sober

Whether you are newly sober or into the double-digit years, staying clean and sober is a daily process. As addicts and alcoholics, we are only one drink away from landing ourselves back into a world of hurt, both for ourselves and for those around us. As temptation, boredom, and the daily stresses of living in the “normal” world will not likely abate anytime soon, all of us occasionally need a little help staying with our program.

Helpful Ways Of Staying Clean And Sober

Even though these stressors are likely not the same for everybody, there are some tried-and-true methods of staying clean and sober that we’d like to share. These come from the wisdom of the many who have and will continue to stand in our shoes.

Keep It Simple

One of our favorite acronyms in sobriety is KISS, or “keep it simple, stupid!” If you find yourself complicating and overthinking a situation, take a step back and reduce it down to its most elemental need. Simplicity should always be the goal.

Live In The Now

The “now,” the present is the only part of your life you have the power to change. You can’t change what happened yesterday and tomorrow has not yet arrived.

Avoid Stressful Or Tempting Situations

If you keep putting yourself in harm’s way, you may eventually give in to the urge to drink or use. Get rid of all temptations in your house, and stay away from slippery situations.

Let Go Of Resentment

Resentments lead to anger, and anger leads down a dark road. Embrace forgiveness, for it is the only way forward. Reestablish your connection to family and friends through forgiveness and making amends.

Don’t Obsess On Relapse

Spending too much time thinking about relapsing will lead you into dark territory. Focus instead on your recovery and what makes your life better now.

Don’t Put A Schedule On Recovery

This includes rehab. Everybody advances at their own pace, and you might find it takes you longer than you may have originally expected. Forgive yourself of this burden and commit to going wherever this journey takes you.

Be Of Service

Giving back is one of the best ways to feel better about your own circumstances. Volunteer at a local shelter or hospital, take on a commitment at a meeting, or just help out a friend in need. This selfless act of kindness serves the dual purpose of healing you too.

Be Grateful

Start a gratitude list. Every day, write down a few things you are grateful for. Keep a journal that you can refer back to on bad days so you can see how far you’ve come.

Set Goals

Don’t go crazy setting goals that are impossible to keep. Instead, keep it simple (refer to tip #1)—and just take baby steps toward the bigger goal. Each step forward is getting you closer to where you ultimately want to be.

Stay Active

One of the best ways to shake off boredom, depression, stress, and frustration is to get out there and get active. Whether that’s riding a bike or shooting hoops with a friend, getting your blood pumping does wonders for your mood, your energy, and your motivation.

These are just a few tips to help in staying clean and sober. If you have some tips of your own to share, we’d love to hear about them.

Sober Living In Charleston, SC

If you are struggling to stay sober but motivated to succeed, a sober living environment may help. The Sanctuary Recovery Foundation offers men’s sober living in the coastal region of Charleston, SC. We would love to talk to you about how we can help.