January 8, 2021Tyler Collins
Have you finally decided that 2021 is the year you’re going sober? Congratulations because this is not an easy decision to make. Recognizing that you need to change your habits is a big step towards starting a new chapter in your life. However, don’t expect it to be an easy ride.
Whether you’re doing your sobriety journey solo or you’ve admitted yourself to an inpatient addiction treatment facility, you have to know that there will certainly be challenges along the way. There will be times that you will feel that you’re ready to give up and you will be tempted to go back to substance use.
If you ever feel this way, you are not alone. In fact, the relapse rate for substance use disorders is estimated to be 40% to 60%. This does not mean, however, that you are destined to fail. Millions of people have successfully conquered their addictions and are now successfully living sober.
If you are starting 2021 sober, we hope that reading these recommendations below can help you in your journey.
Forgive yourself
As part of your recovery journey, you may need to ask for forgiveness from the people around you whom you have harmed and make amends. While this is definitely important to rebuild your relationships, you should also remember that you also need to forgive yourself for whatever happened in the past. Forgiving yourself is also a way of accepting that you need to change for the better.
Many people who are struggling with substance abuse blame themselves for their situation and oftentimes, this kind of attitude prevents them from moving on and from being able to overcome their addictions. You have to remember that while you may be responsible for your past mistakes and bad decisions, these do not define you. Treat these actions as life learnings that will guide you moving forward. You can be more than your past and if you decide to pursue recovery, you have a chance to live a new chapter.
Claim that you deserve a better life
Just because you’ve hit rock bottom, that does not mean that you have to stay there or go much lower. It is not uncommon to feel that you’re not worthy of recovery…that you deserve to live a miserable life so instead of seeking recovery, you just turn to drugs and alcohol.
When you are in a tough situation, don’t feel hopeless and stop thinking that there is no more chance for you to live in sobriety. Keep in mind that you deserve a better life free from substance abuse. You have to always remember that your life is precious and you can find a purpose to live.
Treat yourself well
It is important to treat yourself very well when you want to become sober. You have to improve your overall health and well-being in order to feel better and recover from whatever damage your addiction has brought to your body. Improving your health does not only mean your physical health but also enriching your mental and spiritual health.
You have to eat healthily, sleep better, exercise, and take part in self-care activities. Try meditation and yoga to benefit your mental state. Learn how to relax and calm down as well as avoiding stressful situations.
When you start feeling better, this will contribute to your happiness and positivity. For example, something as simple as getting enough sleep will prevent you from being stressed and overly anxious the next day. This can also help you become calmer and think more clearly when dealing with tough situations so you don’t immediately turn to harmful coping mechanisms like anti-anxiety drugs or alcohol.
Appreciate that every day is a fresh start
Not every single day will be a good day. As mentioned earlier, the path to recovery is not always an easy and straight road. There will be bumps along the way that you either have to sidestep or go through. There could be a time where you will feel awful and worse, you may even give in to relapse. However, that does not make you a failure.
Tomorrow is a new day where you can begin again. Appreciate that each day given to you is a blessing. It is a new opportunity to start fresh and let go of past mistakes and regrets. Instead of dwelling on the past, focus on what’s ahead of you and how you can succeed in your recovery journey.
If you or a loved one is struggling with substance abuse, help is available.
Contact Lighthouse Treatment Center today.