After you successfully complete treatment, it’s essential that you reestablish and rebuild your life in a way that’s conducive to your new outlook. Sober Living Facilities (AKA “Halfway houses”) cater to individuals who desire to smoothly transition into a sober lifestyle and continue on their journey to feeling wholesome, healthy and reinvigorated about the best things in life. With that in mind, we’d like to share some tips for nurturing your recovery and overcoming the challenges you may encounter in the days ahead.
Is a Sober Living Facility Right for You?
With all of the work you’ve done and the progress you’ve made in treatment, you still may feel as if you’re on shaky ground. Rather than throwing yourself out into the world and hoping for the best as you attempt to build a sober life, transitioning to a sober living home first could be the perfect bridge to ensure you have the best chance of success.
What sets such facilities apart from the environment of a rehab center is there isn’t as much rigid structure, much like what you’ll experience when you’re back in the “real world.” There are still rules and guidelines to follow in a sober living facility, but there isn’t any formal treatment. That being said, it’s still best that you attend support groups specific to your addition, such as Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous. Your time here is meant to help you lay down a stable foundation on which you’ll start to build your new life.
Learning to Live Sober
Besides considering a sober living house after finishing alcohol & drug rehab, there are additional things you can do to live sober. One of the first is to acknowledge the fact that some of your old habits are unlikely to be conducive to your new way of living. This step may involve making new friends, going to new places and changing your route in order that you don’t pass by bars or other areas that bring back bad memories or act as triggers. As you’re restructuring your habits, making a daily routine helps you to maximize your time, energy and sobriety.
You should also remember the Serenity Prayer. This mindset can help you realize just how much control and power you have over your life, which can bring you a great deal of peace.
God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference.
Learning how to breathe can work wonders. Take a few deep breaths whenever you feel stressed or frustrated. Reciting the Serenity Prayer to yourself while mentally stepping away from the situation can help you to center yourself.
It’s also best that you take full responsibility for your new life. This means going through with all of your commitments, no matter how small they may be. Meet your financial obligations, find work you enjoy and recognize your part in any mistakes you make. Blaming others can rob you of an opportunity to learn and improve yourself.
As you’re plotting the course for your new life and making renovations to your lifestyle, don’t forget to take things one day and one step at a time. Worrying about incidents and possibilities that may or may not come to pass can leave you feeling overwhelmed and anxious, which may trigger a relapse. Make plans for the future, but don’t forget to focus on and enjoy the present. Commit to yourself and your sobriety 24 hours at a time.
We’re Here to Help
If you decide to reach out for help with alcoholism or drug addiction, Serenity Recovery Centers are here to extend a helping hand. Our mission is to help you reach and maintain your sobriety goals in a positive nurturing environment. Allow us to help set you on the path to rebirth and recovery. For more information, contact our admissions office.
