The Process of Getting Sober… and Staying Sober

Addiction is a one way road that leads to rock bottom. The thing about rock bottom is that it is not a final destination. Things can get worse, and they will. The further you go, the harder it is to turn things around.

The sooner you decide to get sober, the easier it will be. However, it is possible to get sober at any point of addiction… provided you do it right. Getting sober is a lengthy process that must be taken seriously and ambitiously.

While it may sound simple enough to get sober, the options of cutting back or even quitting cold turkey are also dead end roads. You are no longer in control of your body and your mind… drugs or alcohol are in control. It is impossible to get sober if you don’t completely stop abusing drugs and alcohol, and cutting back is impossible anyways if you have a tolerance built up. In fact, cutting back can be dangerous because it often leads to binges and overdose.

Quitting cold turkey is more ambitious but also dangerous in the worst case and unsuccessful in every case. Withdrawing from drugs or alcohol can have fatal symptoms, and is a very painful process.

Therefore, the only way to completely get sober is to detoxify in a controlled, supervised medical setting. You will be given a healthy diet of nutritious meals, which will help strengthen your body as you get sober and even speed along the detox process. You will be monitored for deadly symptoms of withdrawal (which occur in severe cases of physical dependence) and given medication when and if needed to help ease the pain.

It’s important to know that detoxification is not the only thing needed to get sober. If you were to detoxify and then go right back onto the streets, relapse would be inevitable. This is because although the physical dependency has been treated, the mental, emotional, and psychological dependency on drugs or alcohol is still present.

Addiction is often a symptom of an underlying disorder such as depression or anxiety. Therefore, the only way to completely get sober is to also treat these elements. The counseling programs given at rehab are also important for getting sober because they will give you the tools and training needed to stay sober.

In individual counseling, you will receive the personal attention and care of a single counselor who is experienced in addiction. This program will help you identify your own unique challenges and triggers and to develop a strategic plan that will help you to stay sober after rehab.

Group counseling will have you connecting with like-minded peers, connecting and working together to understand sober living in a social setting. Family counseling is also available to educate loved ones about addiction and to help rebuild these relationships.

Getting sober is only the first step. Afterwards, you will be put to the test. Staying sober is a daily action, and it is very difficult at first. If you don’t feel you are ready for this challenge after rehab, you should speak to your counselor about a sober living program.