Letting Go, Starting Over & Staying Sober

A majority of recovering addicts will admit that they did not seek help at a rehab until they had hit rock bottom. While there are a lucky few who begin addiction treatment during the earlier stages… it does not make living sober any easier.

Addiction is a very destructive disease that will destroy all… and even though you are a changed person after rehab, you still have to face the consequences of your actions.

Those who have lost a job due to addiction related behaviors will probably have a hard time finding new work.

Those who have damaged relationships will need to mend these relationships, if it is possible. Many recovering addicts find that the first year or longer of living sober is the most difficult. Loneliness is a trigger that some recovering addicts have to battle with every day, because they have betrayed those closest to them.

If your life has fallen apart due to a drug or alcohol addiction, you can start over. But it is not easy. It takes a long time to rebuild the pieces, and to prove yourself to those who have lost faith in you.

Having realistic expectations of sober living is important, because one of the most important elements of sober living is having an ability to deal with reality. Even when your stress level is especially high, it is important to make the right choices and to stay sober. All it takes is one relapse to collapse, and it’s just not worth it.

Sober living is something that you practice every day. It gets easier the longer you do it. Ultimately, you have to be able to let go of your past even when others won’t. You have to pursue starting over, even when others won’t let you. And finally, you have to stay sober.

Support for Living Sober

As you near completion of your rehab program, you may be excited about returning to “the real world” but it’s important to be prepared for the difficulties and challenges that await you. If you are completely confident in your ability to avoid relapse and to live sober on your own… then you should speak to your counselor about a sober coach.

Sober Coaching

Ongoing support is a fundamental milestone in sober living that should not be skipped out on. Sober coaching is the recovery support program that gives you the most amount of freedom to make your own choices, while regularly meeting with you to ensure you are capable of staying sober. With a sober coach, support is available anytime you need it… and you are able to practice living sober on your own using the exercises and training learned in rehab.

Sober Companionship

If living sober is especially difficult for you, sober companionship is another option to consider. A sober companion is also useful for the cases where you are especially lonely during your first several months of sober living, because your sober companion will be with you full time, restricting you as well as guiding you into self sufficient sober living.

Recovery Home

For those who are just not ready to try living sober after rehab, a recovery home will extend residential guidance, support, and restriction. This is the highest level of restriction available, and is not appropriate for everyone.