Although you are committed to sobriety, you should prepare for some of the challenges ahead. Unfortunately, relapses are a relatively common setback. But just because relapses can happen—it doesn’t mean that it must happen to you.
1. Understand the Signs of a Relapse
One of the most critical steps you can take to avoid a relapse is to educate yourself on the signs of it. Knowing what to look for can help you recognize when you need help. Some common signs to watch for include:
- Becoming defensive
- Feelings of anger
- Poor sleeping and eating habits
- Isolating yourself
- Mood swings
- Lying about your behaviors or feelings
- Spending time with friends with who you used to drink alcohol with
- Fantasizing about drinking alcohol
- Thinking about or planning to try using alcohol or drugs again in the future.
2. Fill Up Your Free Time
Another thing that you can do to help avoid a relapse is to find fun hobbies and activities to fill up your free time. When you are involved in many other things and have additional responsibilities, it makes it hard to slide back into old habits.
3. Continue to Attend Meetings and Support Group Sessions
After you have been sober for some time, you might start thinking that you don’t need to attend meetings and support group sessions that help sober individuals stay that way. Try to resist the urge to give up these meetings and support groups—as they can be helpful for long-term sobriety.
You can also consider a sober living home, where you reside with other sober people similar to you. Tharros House is a great place to continue living a sober lifestyle. Give us a call today to find out if it might be the right fit for you.