How To Get Sober

Get your mind ready – read about people who have already been through alcoholism and are thriving in sobriety. Join an online forum and read what other people are experiencing in sobriety. Spend time finding out about people who are already living what you are contemplating.

Start exercising or bump up your existing exercise routine – I would say this is one of the most important parts of sobriety. You are going to need an outlet for the myriad of emotions in sobriety. In my early days of sobriety, I would go through emotional extremes. I would feel sadness, anger, frustration, hopelessness, elation, disbelief, fear, and you name it I felt it. Not only did I feel it, I would go through a range of these feelings within an hour. Exercise helped, I really don’t think anything else would have got me through this. You need to walk, run, jump, sweat and really exert yourself in sobriety to clear your mind.

Have a zero tolerance for alcohol – This means that you commit yourself to the fact that no-matter what happens; you will not drink another drop of alcohol, (read more about this on Spiritual River). No matter how bad it gets, or how bad you feel, you will not start talking yourself into one little drink, do not start rationalizing and fooling yourself into believing that you can give up another time.

Be honest with yourself -  What is at stake in your life if you continue to drink alcohol? For me it was my family and my sanity and the rest of my life. Be real, who are you hurting, how are you going to fair if you continue to drink for the next five years? 

Start a journal – Another great way to vent and clear your mind is to write. Buy a journal or use a protected document on your pc. Write what you are feeling, what your fears are, just get it all out and do it as regular as possible. I don’t journal as much as I used to but in the beginning it was a life saver. When I could barely face people or not summon up the will to talk over how I felt, my faithful journal was a blessing.

Get a counselor – If you have been an active alcoholic for a long time, then the chances are extremely good that you will benefit from a good counselor. I used one and she was awesome. After a while I stopped going to her but that was for financial reasons. If you have the cash, go and see one.

Pray – I began praying out of desperation but somewhere along the way I found religion again. It has been a good journey since then. Everything has more meaning and depth. Religion is personal and hard to explain but I am so thankful that this experience has led me back to God. Amen!

Find inspiration – read your favorite book, go to the movies, rent funny movies, find what you love. For me, reading and exercising were a huge help and still are.

Get sober!

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