7 Tips to Stay Sober After Addiction Recovery

Written by Brandon Okey. Mina Draskovic, B.Psy., reviewed this content for accuracy.

It’s essential to remember that addiction recovery is a journey, and it’s never too late to begin that journey. That being said, there are some steps an individual can take if they’re looking for the most effective way to stay sober after addiction recovery. Staying sober after addiction recovery can be challenging, but there are several tips that a person can follow to help them on their journey. It’s important to find a supportive network, avoid triggers, develop healthy habits, set achievable goals, practice mindfulness, stay accountable, and be patient with oneself. By implementing these strategies, a person can get their life back on track, start their journey toward recovery, and rise up against addiction. In this article, we’ll look at these tips and more so you can stay on track with your recovery.

1 – Find a Support System

Having a solid support system is crucial to stay sober after addiction recovery. It’s important to have people in your life who understand your journey and can provide you with the encouragement and guidance you need to stay on track. This could be family and friends who have been with you throughout your recovery or a support group that provides you with a safe space to share your experiences and receive support from others going through similar struggles. By having a support system, a person working to overcome addiction can feel less isolated and more motivated to stay sober. In addition, they can lean on their support system during challenging times and celebrate their successes with them.

2 – Avoid Triggers

Avoiding triggers is a key component of addiction recovery and can help a person stay sober in the long term. Triggers can be anything that brings back memories or feelings associated with substance use, and they can be physical, emotional, or environmental. For example, seeing someone use drugs, feeling stressed or anxious, or being in a place where you used to use drugs can all be triggers. By identifying and avoiding triggers, you can reduce the risk of relapse and stay on track with your recovery. This can involve making changes in your lifestyle or environment, such as finding new hobbies or activities that don’t involve substance use or avoiding certain people or places that could trigger cravings.

3 – Develop Healthy Habits

Developing healthy habits is an essential part of addiction treatment and can help individuals stay sober in the long term. Unfortunately, when a person struggles with addiction, their physical and mental health can suffer, making it difficult to break the cycle of substance use. By developing healthy habits, such as regular exercise, proper nutrition, and getting enough sleep, a person can feel better physically and mentally, reducing the risk of relapse. These healthy habits can also provide a sense of purpose and structure in one’s life, which can be helpful in addiction recovery.

4 – Set Goals

Setting achievable goals is an integral part of addiction treatment and addiction recovery. It can be overwhelming to think about the long-term process when working to overcome addiction. Setting achievable goals can provide a sense of direction and accomplishment, which can help maintain motivation and stay on track with recovery. Goals can be small, such as attending a support group meeting, or more significant, such as starting a new job or returning to school. The key is to make them achievable and measurable so that you can track progress over time. By achieving these goals, a person can build self-confidence and see the positive changes that come with addiction recovery.

5 – Practice Mindfulness

Mindfulness is an effective technique for managing stress and maintaining sobriety in addiction treatment and recovery. Mindfulness involves being present and focusing on one’s thoughts, feelings, and surroundings without judgment. By practicing mindfulness regularly, a person can become more aware of their triggers, cravings, and negative thought patterns, which can help prevent relapse. Mindfulness techniques, such as meditation, breathing exercises, or yoga, can also help reduce stress and improve mental and emotional well-being — a person can better manage stress, maintain sobriety, and lead a more fulfilling life in addiction recovery.

6 – Stay Accountable

Holding yourself accountable can help you stay on track with your recovery. This may mean attending regular therapy sessions or support group meetings, being honest with oneself and others about progress and setbacks, and committing to sobriety, even in the face of triggers and temptations. Accountability can help provide structure and support in addiction recovery, making it easier to stay on track and avoid relapse. Accountability can involve:

Developing a relapse prevention plan with a therapist.
Setting regular check-ins with a support group or sponsor.
Tracking progress over time.

By staying accountable, a person can acknowledge their successes and challenges, work through them constructively, and continue to progress in addiction recovery.

7 – Be Patient With Yourself and Maintain a Positive Outlook

Maintaining a positive outlook is crucial to addiction recovery and staying sober in the long term. When a person is working to overcome addiction, it’s normal to experience ups and downs along the way. However, maintaining a positive attitude and focusing on progress can help overcome the challenges and setbacks that may arise. This can involve celebrating small successes, focusing on the present rather than worrying about the future, and surrounding oneself with positivity and encouragement. Maintaining a positive outlook can build resilience and maintain the motivation needed to stay on track with addiction recovery.

Get the Addiction Treatment You Deserve at Ardu Recovery Center

At Ardu Recovery Center, we aim to provide empathy and informative support to help those working to overcome addiction. Our Provo, Utah, facilities provide addiction treatment services and rehab programs tailored to your needs. Whether you need a more mindfulness-based approach or seek gender-specific treatment services, we have the tools and programs to help you move on with your life and overcome addiction. Call us at (801) 512-0086 or fill out our online form to speak to our addiction specialists and get started on your journey to recovery.

Brandon Okey is the co-founder of Ardu Recovery Center and is dedicated to empowering people on their journey to sobriety.