There is no doubt about it, early sobriety is tough. The feelings are new, erratic and intense. However, the best way out of something is to go through it. And the following survival guide to early sobriety is designed to help you do just that.
Eat Sweets
When the craving for liquor hits, sugar proves to be a good substitute. This is probably the one time in your life you can eat sweets without any guilt. After all, you are helping your sobriety.
Talk to Someone
People in AA will give you their phone numbers and it is perfectly okay to call those folks. Trusting someone in early sobriety is usually difficult but well worth it. When you have a problem and you share that problem with someone else, you cut your problem in half.
Stay out of Slippery Places
If you hang around a barber shop long enough, eventually you’re going to get a haircut. And sitting around at the bar or with old drinking buddies is a bad idea. Even if your intention is to only drink a soda and socialize, this is risky behavior.
Think the Drink Through
In early recovery you are going to be tempted-be ready! A drink will call to you, promising to relieve you of any uncomfortable feelings you are having. However, the temptation won’t tell you the whole story. Yes, a beer or a shot of whiskey would provide instant relief. But what then? The consequences of drinking begin to pile up. Spent money, damaged relationships, DUIs, humiliating experiences-just to name a few. Also, drinking creates the need for more drinking. Soon, alcohol has taken over your life. Is it worth the relief the initial drink provides?
Go to Meetings
There is nothing like being around people who understand. At AA meetings you will find the support you need to get you through this difficult time. And, after a while, you will find that you want to go to meetings, as they are a substitute for the comfort that alcohol, at one time, provided.
Trust the ProcessGetting sober is not easy and takes time. You will encounter quite a few setbacks. However, know that the process of getting sober, while difficult, is something that millions of people before you have gone through. Eventually, you will find a stability that you didn’t know even before you started drinking.
Give Yourself a BreakAlcoholics tend to beat themselves up mercilessly. This is, however, undeserved. We who are recovering from alcoholism are not bad people trying to get good; we are sick people trying to get well. We should treat ourselves as such.
Stay in TodayThinking about staying sober for the rest of your life is terrifying and seems impossible. Instead, know that you only have to keep from drinking for one day-today. Anyone can remain sober for one day. Don’t even swear off; just don’t pick up the drink today.