8 Post-Recovery Tips for Maintaining Sobriety

While recovering from an addiction to drugs or alcohol is difficult, it’s not impossible. In fact, a recent survey shows that 10% of American adults have successfully overcome an addiction.

Of course, getting clean is only half the battle. The real work comes in staying clean.

Ready to get started? Check out this guide to learn the key to maintaining sobriety.

1. Take it One Week at a Time

A wise person once said, “You can’t make it to one year of sobriety unless you make it one week first.” Don’t feel like you have to think about the next six months. Instead, focus on the next week and making sure you stay clean one week at a time.

2. Get in the Right Environment

It can be difficult, if not impossible, to maintain sobriety if you are in an environment that reinforces your bad habits. For instance, if you have friends who support your habit in San Diego, you might want to consider a drug detox in Los Angeles.

3. Find New Hobbies

An important step in overcoming an addiction is finding a new, healthy activity to fill the time that you would have spent using. Consider a physical activity like a sport, or exercise, as these endorphins can make your body naturally feel better.

4. Try Meditation

Finding ways to focus your mind can help you overcome your feeling that you need drugs and alcohol. Start a daily meditation practice to help you handle your cravings.

Try doing your meditation at the same time every day. Also, remember that you don’t need to meditate for 20 minutes. Starting with meditation for five minutes can be a good way to get used to the practice.

5. Stay Hydrated

Drinking a sufficient amount of water is essential to maintaining several of the body’s normal functions. Focus on drinking at least four liters of water a day to make sure you are staying hydrated.

6. Sleep

Getting the right amount of sleep is also important to make sure you feel your best. During recovery, you should be getting at least eight hours of sleep a night. Being sleep deprived can weaken your body’s defenses, which can make you vulnerable to relapse.

7. Healthy Friendships

While it is important to keep bad influences away from you, it’s just as important to surround yourself with supportive people. Make sure to spend time with people who understand your struggles and who support your recovery.

8. Proper Diet

Another behavior that will keep your body feeling good is a healthy diet. While eating junk food might feel like a good alternative to controlled substances, it isn’t the best choice for your body.

Eating properly will make you feel your best, and this will make it easier to maintain your sobriety.

Learn More Maintaining Sobriety

With these tips in hand, you will be well on your way to maintaining sobriety after rehab.

Looking for different approaches to overcoming addiction? Check out this guide to alternative treatment options for addicts.