Addiction is a very serious and deadly disease. As with any disease, you are going to need professional help if you are going to get better. Most people who have an addiction who have tried to quit cold turkey have not been successful. According to the National Institue Of Drug Abuse, addiction cannot be cured; however, with the right help, it can be managed successfully. If you are going to get sober and remain sober, you will need professional help from Grave Recovery. We are a state-of-the-art addiction treatment program in Hollywood. We can give you the tools that you need to fight your addiction.
Anyone in recovery will tell you that the first 30 days of sobriety are the most challenging. If you are going to stay clean, you should know a few tips to follow during those first 30 days.
Avoid Old “Friends”
When you first decide that it is time to get sober, you are going to need to cut ties with anyone in your life who uses. In the first 30 days, you won’t be strong enough to resist temptation. If you stop by a friend’s house and they are drinking or using, it will likely cause a relapse. You are going to need to cut all contact with these people, and start spending time with people who are clean and sober.
Support Systems
You are going to need a lot of support during your first 30 days of sobriety if you are going to prevent a relapse. There are a few different types of support that can be very helpful.
- 12-Step Meetings: It is essential that you attend meetings daily during your recovery. Being around other addicts and hearing their stories can give you the support and the inspiration that you need to stay clean. Being able to stand up and tell your story is helpful as well.
- Individual Therapy: It is a good idea to start going to individual therapy, especially during your first 30 days of sobriety. Many addicts use substances to mask an underlying condition. When you get the treatment that you need to work on the underlying condition, it can be very beneficial to your sobriety.
- Support System: It is essential to have a support system of clean friends and family members in place. If you start to feel down or weak, the people in your support system can be there to give you the help that you need.
Exercise Regularly
Exercise is a great tool when it comes to getting sober. Exercise helps produce endorphins, which can give you a natural high. After a run or a good workout, many people report a euphoric feeling. Also, when you are focusing on your body and your health, you won’t be thinking about using. The best types of exercise are anything that gets your heart pumping and makes you work up a sweat.
Write-In a Journal
During your first days of sobriety, you should start writing in a journal. This is a place where you can vent your feelings. If you feel frustrated, angry, or weak, putting it on paper can help. It is also a great place to document your successes. The key to effective journaling is to be honest about your feelings in your journal. Nobody will be reading it but you; therefore, you can write down whatever you are feeling. This can be especially helpful if you aren’t quite ready to open up to your loved ones.
Don’t Rationalize
Rationalization is common during the first 30 days of sobriety. Many people who have been sober for a short period of time tell themselves that they have a few weeks under their belts; therefore, they can have one or two drinks. It is this type of thinking that quickly leads to a relapse.
Don’t Dwell On Past Mistakes
When you are finally sober and clear-headed, it is not uncommon to start dwelling on the mistakes that you made during your addiction. Thinking about the people that you hurt and the things that you lost will only make things worse. The depression that dwelling on the past can cause will only result in a relapse. Rather than dwelling on the past, start making plans for your future. Making plans will give you hope for your future as a sober person.
If you are suffering from addiction, the professionals at Grace Recovery can help. We have everything that you could need, all under one roof. After completing our detoxification program, you can start getting the help and tools necessary to stay sober at our residential inpatient program. We have plenty of luxurious amenities to make your stay as comfortable as possible. If you are ready to leave drugs and alcohol behind, and you are prepared to start living a sober and productive life, contact our center in Los Angeles, CA today. Making that call is the first step toward your happy, sober life.