A new year means a new chance, especially for those who struggle with a substance use disorder involving drugs or alcohol. There’s no better time than January to reach out to a drug or alcohol addiction treatment center nearby for help to recover. And for those already in recovery from addiction, starting the new year sober is vital.
Unfortunately, those bleak, wintry months following the holidays can be difficult times to get through, especially for anyone who lacks a supportive network of family and friends. But if you’re dedicated to starting the new year sober, use these tips to help navigate the stormiest of days.
A Sober New Year Requires Involvement
It’s important to stay involved with your recovery community. This means attending meetings faithfully and reaching out to others in distress. It means reaching out for help when your own resolve feels weak or challenged, as well. For many reasons, asking for help is difficult for those who struggle with drugs and alcohol. Still, it’s vital to avoid isolation and loneliness during the shortest, darkest days of the year. Consequently, the first step in a sober new year is making sure you have plenty of supportive people to help you stay accountable.
Sober Living Takes Commitment
It takes a ton of commitment to maintain a sober living arrangement when you’re just out of treatment for drug or alcohol addiction. But by faithfully working on your recovery behaviors and polishing your healthy coping skills, success is possible. In general, this is the time to draw from everything you learned in recovery:
- Eat well
- Get enough sleep each night
- Use healthy stress-management techniques
- Don’t isolate
- Avoid temptation
- Stick to a strict schedule
It’s always tempting to stay up late and sleep in when you can, but by rising early and having a plan for every hour of the day, you’ll avoid aimlessness and boredom — two viable threats to sober living. Practice the methods and maneuvers you learned in treatment, and work the program religiously to avoid the threat of relapse.
Build Momentum Going into your Sober New Year
Start strong and keep up your momentum as you move through the coldest, bleakest months. Once winter is behind you, the extended hours of daylight that come with spring will help you better cope with your daily struggles. Avoid back-sliding in your routines as much as possible to keep your momentum building. If you falter, consider reaching out to someone else who is new in recovery. Sometimes, helping others is the most powerful tool in your recovery box. You’ll feel good by helping someone else achieve their goals, and feeling good about yourself is key to sober living.
Celebrate a Sober New Year at Insight Into Action Therapy
Insight Into Action Therapy is a facility that promotes addiction recovery and mental wellness. Located in Northern Virginia, we’re able to help clients who battle substance abuse disorders.
Insight Into Action Therapy is an outpatient treatment center for drug and alcohol addiction and mental health issues, including those that co-occur together. Whether you’re struggling with combinations of drugs such as prescription painkillers and benzo, or you’re mixing antidepressants with alcohol, our experienced medical professionals are qualified to treat you effectively.
At Insight Into Action Therapy, we believe you have the right to a drug-free future, and we’ll work hard to help you achieve lifelong sobriety. If you’re interested in admission to our outpatient addiction recovery program, visit us online, or call today at 703.935.8544. We’ll give you the skills you need to face life without drugs or alcohol. Contact us today to take that first step to a sober new year.
