Worrying About the Future in Sobriety

What will the weather look like in 5 years? What about the exact moment you will find your dream job? What happens if you end up not getting that job and all of a sudden you find yourself in a financial mishap? Future tripping is a tendency that the alcoholic has mastered. One thought turns into a whole script for our future that we have written in our heads that causes us to panic and live in fear. Combine that with high anxiety and a fear of failure and you have a recipe for disaster. The future is not something we can predict as much as we think we can. Through going to a 12 step recovery program we are given tools to help us stay present. Prayer and meditation are two big tools we learn through the 12 steps of recovery that can help keep us grounded. Sometimes just standing still, and asking yourself “am I present or am I living in the future?” can help us stay present in the moment.

 

Redirecting Focus

If you find that you are living in the future it can beneficial to redirect your focus to the present moment. If you are consciously reminding yourself what you are doing in the moment, you’re not worrying about the future. Another way to stay present is doing relaxing and meditating exercises like yoga. Movement and focusing on your breathing is not only a good way to exercise, but it’s also a way to get some serenity and stay grounded. The future hasn’t happened yet, and we can only control our present actions. Live in the moment, because in the future when we look back on our lives all we will have are the memories we are creating today.

Recovering From a Relapse and Doing Things Differently This Time

Unfortunately as alcoholics and addicts, relapse is a part of many of our stories. While it is not always the case many of us have a hard time getting sober the first time around and can get caught up once again in our drug addiction. Relapse does not have to be a part of your story; but if it is it doesn’t mean that you are incapable of recovering.

Your Feelings are Normal

It is normal to feel beaten down, scared, and even more defeated after relapsing then you might have

prior to originally getting sober. Many of us feel like we have failed and have let ourselves and others down. Our ego usually takes a beating when we relapse. All we can do is be grateful for what we learned from the relapse and try to do things differently this time around.

Learn from Your Relapse

If we are able to look back at our experience and see where we fell short we can do things differently this time around. Perhaps we need to go through alcohol inpatient treatment, attend 12 step meetings, go to therapy, or seek extra alcohol addiction help. Whatever the case may be we all have the chance to recover if we keep trying, and don’t drink or use no matter what. If we are willing to put our sobriety first then we can begin to build a strong foundation for ourselves and our recovery.

How to Give Yourself the Best Chance at Sobriety

With the alarmingly high relapse rate amongst people that are trying to get clean on their own, those of us that suffer from drug or alcohol addiction can use all the help we can get. Here are a few suggestions that can give you the best chance at getting and staying sober.

Treatment 

 

There are many programs such as drug rehab that provide a safe and peaceful environment in which people that are battling with their addiction can go and be given the tools needed in order to achieve sobriety, and work on themselves. 

Attending 12 Step Meetings

 

In these meeting people who have addictions can share their experience, strength, and hope with each other so that others can see that it is possible to recover. It is a great opportunity to not only meet new people that are on the same path but to also share with others the struggles you might be going through and receive feedback.

Making Friends with People that are in Recovery

 

Meeting people that have gone through the addiction recovery process and socializing with them can be a good way to learn about ways other people have recovered along with reaffirming your decision to be sober. Many of us have remained friends with people that we used to hang out with prior to getting sober but it can also be nice to meet people that we can go to meetings, and do sober activities with. It can be difficult at times to go to clubs, concerts, or other events where there might be drinking. Through teaming up with other sober people to go to these types of places/events you will be able to relax, have fun, and get through the night sober.

Family Counseling and On-Going Support

Once we have received treatment for substance abuse and gone through the addiction recovery process some of us may need some extra support especially when it comes to repairing our relationships with our family. When we were out using many of us were wrapped up in our disease and suffered from the consequences of our actions. One of the biggest things that was destroyed for many of us was our relationships with family and friends. Most of us could not see past ourselves or our drug addiction. When we get sober we get the opportunity to repair these relationships and clean up the wreckage of our past. The hardest relationships to rebuild are usually with our family since they had seen it all. They not only had to put up with what we put them through but they also had to watch someone that they love very much go through hell. It can take time to rebuild the trust that has been lost over the years. Many of us had made empty promises time and time again and we have to earn that trust back. If there are still some things coming up for you or other family members that can’t seem to be worked out, then family counseling is a great option and a safe place to work through those struggles in order to have a happy and healthy relationship that works for everybody.  There is nothing like having family on your side to support you. It is possible to not only have a relationship with  the ones you love but it is also a chance to give back to the people that matter the most in your life.