20 Action Items For The Newly Sober

I am fast approaching two years of sobriety. Not too shabby for someone whose life revolved around alcohol for seventeen years.

Based on my experience throughout this time, I have put together a list of twenty one action items that I believe will benefit every newly sober person.

I would have appreciated this list back in July 2008 when I first got sober. Fortunately, I did come across Spiritual River, which was a great starting point.

(1) Write frequently in a journal. Do this whether you feel like it or not; your mind will be clearer.
(2) Visit a bookstore or library. Pick a selection of books that interest you to occupy the time.
(3) Get a therapist; a good one can help you through the early and difficult days of sobriety.
(4) Stay away from anyone who drinks alcohol. There will come a time when you can handle other drinkers but initially it is safer not to be around them.
(5) If you are religious, pray regularly and read The Bible.
(6) Connect with others who are newly sober; you could try A.A, Women for Sobriety, or join a online forum.
(7) Read books about alcoholism and recovery. Thousands of people have been in your shoes and have written about their experience.
(8) Go for walks and start up an exercise regime.
(9) Plan your day, week, month
(10) Write a list of the activities you enjoy
(11) Drink plenty of water
(12) Take vitamins
(13) Tell your doctor about your decision to stop drinking alcohol.
(14) Confide in a close friend that you trust about your decision to stop drinking alcohol.
(15) Clean and declutter your home, room, desk and car.
(16) Listen to Zig Ziglar podcasts on ITunes; there are over 100 of them, they will inspire and motivate you.
(17) Watch plenty of comedy movies and shows.
(18) Read any “Anthony Robbins” books.
(19) Write down 10 things that you are grateful for; add to this each day.
(20) Read “Zig Ziglar’s Life Changing Procedure” for 30 days in the morning and evening.
(21) Visit Spiritual River’s website; packed with information about “How To Stop Drinking Alcohol & Get The Addiction Help You Need.”

Tags: AA, alcoholism and recovery, Bible, First Got Sober, Newly Sober, Pray, Sobriety, Two Years Of Sobriety, Women For Sobriety

This entry was posted on Friday, January 29th, 2010 at 11:09 pm and is filed under Get Sober. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.