Content
For example, when I was in Europe traveling I had a few rough moments. I was emotional, without my recovery lifestyle, and worse, without sleep. With enough jet lag and moodiness, I wanted a drink. But, to soothe my rattled nerves, not to party. Jeanette Hu, AMFT, based in California, is a former daily drinker, psychotherapist, and Sober Curiosity Guide.
But because of that, I have learned to actually DEAL with Sobriety them instead. Feeling bored, sad, lonely, or anxious about something are all very human things to feel. But I didn’t know what to do with them besides feel them. And the more I felt them, the more intense and blinding they would get. It also opens up space to approach your internal world differently.
- Your feelings will look different in a day, a week, a month, and a year, so look to the future with optimism.
- When I was in my healing phase I got a dog and as my then-mentor said, he’s helping open up your heart chakra.
- I’d bet nine out of 10 of us won’t even answer, and we’ll just laugh because it’s such a ridiculous question.
- Or the newcomer has unrealistic expectations and judges others unfairly.
- If you quit drinking and experience any new or worsening mental health symptoms, please consider therapy.
- This knowledge of benefits and challenges being sober sucks can empower you and reduce anxiety and alleviating fear by framing sobriety as a positive lifestyle change.
You can also reach out to those in the 12 step community. When things feel out of control or you feel that you’re at risk for relapse, go to a meeting. Stand up and say, I’m having a rough time, and any extra support is appreciated. Becoming sober isn’t just about abstaining from alcohol.
Understand sober curiosity and why more people are choosing to drink less.
Read books, listen to podcasts, and follow blogs that focus on recovery and sober living. This knowledge of benefits and challenges being sober sucks can empower you and reduce anxiety and alleviating fear by framing sobriety as a positive lifestyle change. Being Sober Curious means exploring sobriety and drinking less—not from a place of restriction but from a place of curiosity. It’s not about following strict rules or labeling yourself; it’s about asking questions and making intentional choices about alcohol.
The Habits Of Emotionally Healthy People
It’s pretty normal to reduce the entire experience of boredom in sobriety to missing alcohol and believing that getting drunk is the primary way you (and everyone else) have fun. You will have days when you don’t necessarily make the strongest choices to improve your well-being or strengthen your recovery. No matter what happened yesterday or even five minutes ago, you can choose to be patient with yourself, reassess, and pivot as needed. You have the power to make changes that will improve your life, make sobriety more interesting, and connect with awesome people who can help you enjoy your life in recovery. There are millions of other people in recovery, all at different stages, and many are having a bad day just like you are.
Sober Curious? What It Means and Why It’s Worth Exploring
Sobriety can feel like a punishment for many people. If you were a drug user like me, you may have drug cravings for a long time. You can be forced to give up friends and or boyfriends you really liked.
Join Recovery Connection in sharing stories of hope and recovery. We invite you to share your journey of recovery and be featured on Recovery Connection! Fill out the form below and one of our team members will reach out to help you get started. Join Recovery Connection in celebrating your recovery with our sobriety calculator. I share my experience because I do not want others to be blindsided like I was.
- As usual in my podcasts, I ask you to think about your own life and make decisions of your own.
- This page may contain sensitive or adult content that’s not for everyone.
- They want to be there for you when you are struggling.
- No matter what happened yesterday or even five minutes ago, you can choose to be patient with yourself, reassess, and pivot as needed.
- Take what applies to you and leave whatever doesn’t.
Tapering Off Alcohol How To Wean Off Safely
Before you know it, a lousy day in sobriety can quickly turn into your last day in sobriety if you turn to drugs and alcohol to ease your emotional discomfort. A drink will always look good in moments of stress and emotional upheaval. I think that’s fair to say for most people. I hated sobriety after my first trip to rehab when I had to be drug tested every few weeks to remain at Johns Hopkins and graduate on time.
Regardless of the situation, being a victim never kept someone in recovery. So you lost your job and it wasn’t your fault. But complaining about it not being fair, and focusing on the injustice of it all will just make you feel down and make you more likely to fall deeper into the “poor me” trap.
Sometimes, Sobriety Sucks
- But I didn’t know what to do with them besides feel them.
- You are a mirror now, a flashlight of sobriety in a society that is laced with the judgment that it’s abnormal to abstain from alcohol.
- You have already accomplished so much by choosing to stop using drugs and committing to sobriety.
- It feels like you’re pulled in 521 directions at once, and there’s the constant draw to fall back into old habits.
- You can always improve how you fare in sobriety by looking at where you can improve your quality of life.
If you need help with mental health because you have anxiety, depression, OCD, sadness, mood swings, or whatever else please find professional help. Let someone who knows what to do guide you out of whatever darkness or paralysis you find yourself in. I use the word paralysis because that’s what used to happen to me. Sometimes I wouldn’t know what to do and I couldn’t do anything–even leave the house some days.
Do You Have to Quit Completely? Why Sobriety Looks Different for Everyone
- Early sobriety is a critical period when community and support networks are critical.
- My second dog, the Yulin rescue, was a project because of his separation anxiety.
- And you’ll remember what you’ve got to fight for.
- When you’re feeling down, seek out support from friends and family to help keep you sane and from slipping into old behaviors.
If you feel a little pang in your heart as you read this, you know what I’m talking about. It’s meaningful for us to connect and love other people and animals. It’s also important to let other people and animals love us. When I was in my healing phase I got a dog and as my then-mentor said, he’s helping open up your heart chakra. My second dog, the Yulin rescue, was a project because of his separation anxiety. But working with him and watching his progress made me love him even more.
