Eventually, you get to the point when enough is enough. You get sick and tired of being sick and tired and that’s when you know you need to change your life. Putting down the drugs and alcohol and being willing to change your life is a big deal. You have the desire to get sober, but now what? Here are 5 steps you can take to set yourself on the path to sobriety.
Ask for help
This seems logical, but it can be the hardest step, especially for addicts and alcoholics. Our first reaction is that no one will understand what we’re going through and that there is no point in asking for help. But that’s just not true. Asking for help can open doors to a lot of opportunities and can provide a feeling of relief when you share with others what you’re going through. There are professionals and other sober people who have gone through exactly what you’ve been through and can offer help, advice, and guidance. Don’t think you have to go the route of sobriety alone; help exists and is waiting for you.
Research your options
Often we feel as though we’re facing the unknown when we make the decision to get sober. What makes me feel better in any situation is having the most information possible about the subject. My advice to you would be to research your options on why getting sober is a great option for your life, how others get there, and what they have felt along the way. This will help you better prepare for setting a strong foundation for your new sober life. You can also research addiction treatment centers and find what is affordable and obtainable for you.
Find a recovery path
This can be done through an addiction treatment center program and your own research. Once you decide to get sober, you’ll want to know how you can stay that way. There are many pathways to recovery including 12-step programs, SMART recovery, Women for Sobriety, and Refuge Recovery, just to name a few. There are plenty of ways to get and stay sober and live a happy, healthy life. If you feel lost, this is a great time to reach out to an addiction treatment center and ask for guidance.
Stick to it
When you decide to put down the drugs and alcohol, chances are you will be flooded with emotions. You may feel overwhelmed, alone, and confused. Be assured that these feelings are all normal. It can and will get better. The best thing you can do in the beginning is stick to recovery and sobriety. Keep an open mind, willingness to try, and faith that it will work. Sobriety isn’t easy, but it’s worth it.
Breathe
Before and during all of these first steps to sobriety, you have to remember to breathe! Self-care is the foundation of recovery and sobriety; meaning you need to get the right amount of sleep, healthy food, and develop a consistent spiritual practice to help you get through your first weeks and months of sobriety. It takes a lot of work to figure out your path to recovery, put that plan into action, and maintain it. Be kind to yourself along the way and always remember to breathe and tell yourself you can do this!
Congratulations on making the decision to get sober. Follow these steps and you’ll be on your way to living a life beyond your wildest dreams.
Contact us today so we can help you get your life back on track here at Orlando Recovery Center: 855-625-9093.
The Recovery Village aims to improve the quality of life for people struggling with a substance use or mental health disorder with fact-based content about the nature of behavioral health conditions, treatment options and their related outcomes. We publish material that is researched, cited, edited and reviewed by licensed medical professionals. The information we provide is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. It should not be used in place of the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider.