Figuring Out What You Want To Do With Your Life

Now that we have gotten sober with the help of drug addiction detox, AA, or other alcohol programs there is a whole new world of possibilities available to us. We are no longer living for our next fix. We have the time to focus and find out what we really want to do with our lives. One of the amazing aspects of sobriety and AIA is its ability to help us see our patterns, fears, and ambitions. The tools we are provided help ensure our stability in the journey we are about to embark on. Do not become discouraged if you take longer to reach your dreams then expected. It's all about perspective. If we stay sober and apply ourselves we have all the time in the world to do the things that we could have only dreamed of doing before. We can do whatever we want and go wherever we choose in life as long as we are spiritually fit. When we were getting loaded many of us had lost our ability to hope and dream but through sobriety we are able to pursue the life that we have always wanted.We now have the chance to make informed choices on what it is we want to do. Whether it is going to college to get a degree or finding your dream job, anything is possible. Now that you have a clear mind you are able to make responsible decisions and find out what it is you really want to do with your life.

Celebrating Recovery

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Life’s Little Struggles in Recovery from Addiction

No one promised going through detox, and getting sober would be easy. All we can say is it will be well worth it. Life’s in session. There’s no pause button so we must roll with the punches. The good news is that if we go to Above It All, AA, or other alcohol programs we can get past anything without needing to drink or use. From losing our jobs to having our car towed to going through a break up life’s little struggles are no longer a valid excuse to drink. We now know we can choose to call our sponsor to discuss the next steps we should take to overcome or get past the current struggle, attend a meeting to find a solution and remind ourselves how far we have come from our last drink. We can also reach out for help from a fellow sober friend and fellowship to get out of our heads, find our part in what has happened, and do a thorough inventory to see what we can change or learn from.  The reality is now we know we do not have to go it alone. The tools we are given give us the ability to cope with the struggle. Learning to appreciate the life’s little struggles is what will keep us going when we want to give up, the truth is we now can be grateful that we have the ability to cope and survive these events. Do not be discouraged if you continue to make mistakes but know you know how to handle them and have tools to guide you through.

Being Honest

Being honest is a new concept for many of us. While we were using it was easy to disregard. All our morals went right out the window. Now that we have received alcohol detox and got sober we are held accountable for our actions and words. Even when there are consequences we must still maintain the willingness to be completely honest in every facet of our life. Whether we are talking to our sponsors, bosses, coworkers, friends, or family being honest is an important part of our sobriety. While being honest with others is important, being honest with ourselves is vital to our survival. The tools we are given when we go to AIA, AA, or an alcohol center keep us on our path and are easy to use. These tools include but are not limited to calling our sponsor to inform them about what has occurred, attending a meeting to find clarity, sharing our experiences, as well as prayer, and meditation. Each tool we use will help keep us both honest and sober. When you do find yourself falling into old habits remember to reach out. Staying honest and humble could mean the difference between staying sober or relapsing. Remind yourself that even the little white lies can lead you down a slippery slope. It may start as something innocent but any lie can open the door to old behavior and before you know it you may find yourself slipping up in other ways. Sobriety only works if we work at it but our secrets keep us sick. These lies can and may very well cost us our sobriety or even our lives if we are not careful. That is why we must live by these spiritual principles.

Believe in Your Dreams During Recovery No Matter How Big

Contributing to Your Sober Community

So much of our drinking time was spent isolating. Through the help of Above It All Treatment Center you are able to receive the help you need in order to get sober, and eventually go back to being a functioning member of society. Thanks to addiction treatment and sobriety we are given plenty of opportunities to give back and be of service. Such as taking up commitments at your local meetings, starting up meetings for people in the sober community, participating in events, volunteering at a so cal rehab centers, or volunteering at a central office answering phones and spreading the message of recovery. The list goes on and on. It is vital to our recovery that we contribute to our community in whatever way possible. This step will not only keep us grounded but allow us to get out of our heads and often even help us reach out to those who may still need help. Remember, this community is filled with the very people who may have called us a cab when we were drunk, made sure we made it home safe and sound, bailed us out of jail and even took us to our first meeting. Many of us are so used to seeing what we can take from each situation but once we get sober we are able to start thinking about how we can be of service and be useful to others. This new way of living is rewarding beyond your wildest dreams.

Feelings in Recovery and Sobriety

Wouldn't it be amazing if we received alcohol detox, got sober and never had anything bad ever happen again? But that’s just not life. The truth is when we were using it may have seemed easier to disregard our reality, or our feelings around it but now that we are clear minded we feel everything and while it may be a scary thing it is not necessarily a bad thing. After going through addiction treatment, AA, or any other program many of us begin to deal with our feelings for the first time in a long time. This can be very overwhelming. Through doing the work, and getting the help we need at Above It All, AA or other SDFSD we are able to handle these feelings calmly and with clarity. We now know that drinking will only mask these raw emotions we are feeling. Instead of drinking we must use the tools we have been taught such as calling our sponsor to inform them about what has occurred, attending a meeting to find clarity, pray, meditate, be of service to another alcoholic in need, and fellowship with a group of strong sober friends who can help remind us that we are not alone. Each of these tools is vital to our success within our recovery. We no longer need to drown out our sorrows. Instead we are able to accept learning how to be comfortable in our discomfort. Being able to be comfortable in your own skin comes with time and work.