Directions for Sober Living

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, there is no right or wrong way to stay sober. The key is to find out what works best for you in your struggle with sobriety and stick to it. The more comfortable and stress-free you can make your first days off the drink, the easier things will become in the long run. More than anything you must avoid what are known as triggers, which are the people, places, emotions and situations that might lead you back to the booze.

Instructions

• 1

  Surround yourself with supportive people who understand your situation and are committed to helping you stay sober. Spend your time with people who are dedicated to staying sober and not drinking along with you. According to the Bright Eye website, you should enlist the help of a friend or family member to stay sober with you on nights out when everybody else is drinking, to help you avoid peer pressure.

• 2

  The Mayo Clinic advises that an adult sleep seven to nine hours every night.

  Eat regularly and get plenty of sleep. Use the acronym H.A.L.T. to remember the triggers that can make you fall off the wagon: hunger, anger, loneliness and tiredness. Keep all of these things in check by eating regularly and sleeping at sensible times for a recommended amount of time. Avoid anger by changing the areas of your life that might cause you stress or anxiety, distancing yourself from an argumentative person or taking time off work to deal with your rehabilitation.

• 3

  Combat loneliness and reach out to others in the same situation as you when times are tough. Log on to chat rooms and forums online to talk about your concerns and worries and join recovery groups in your area or attend Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) meetings. Call or meet with your AA sponsor often.

• 4

  Read more if it helps to distract you from thinking about alcohol.

  Change your daily habits to avoid triggers. Re-plot the routes you drive and walk regularly to avoid bars and liquor stores. Remove any money or credit cards from your person if having fast money is one of your triggers. Read more books and watch more movies if it takes your mind off drinking. Work out, play sports or take up new hobbies; some people have even found chewing gum a helpful distraction.