Getting Sober in The First 30 Days
Getting sober is one of the most difficult and important decisions you will ever make. Sobriety comes with great rewards, but also many challenges. In early recovery specifically, it may seem like the challenges outweigh the positives at times. Early recovery can feel scary and uncomfortable, but you are not alone in these feelings. An estimated 22 million Americans are in recovery. This means that there are 22 million people that can guide you through the first 30 days of sobriety. This blog post will discuss your first 30 days of sobriety and offer some tips on how to survive them.
What to Expect in the First 30 Days of Sobriety
Your first 30 days in recovery will most likely be characterized by fear and uncertainty. You are so used to life revolving around your addiction that you do not know how to live without using. As a result, there will be many mental and physical challenges you will have to overcome in your first month of sobriety, such as withdrawal and cravings. It is important, however, to remember that it does get easier. As time goes on you will develop coping techniques and create a support system that will make maintaining your sobriety much easier. Prepare yourself as best you can for the challenges your first month of recovery poses and consistently remind yourself why you made the decision to get sober in the first place.
Tips to Surviving the First Month of Sobriety
Anyone in recovery knows that the first 30 days of recovery are the most challenging, but also the most crucial. The first month of sobriety is when you are at the highest risk of relapse, so making sure to do your best to safeguard your sobriety during this time is essential. Here are some tips to minimize your chance of relapse and get you through the first 30 days of your sobriety.
Build a support system
Support is a huge element to success in early recovery. You are most at risk of relapse when you are isolated and lonely, so developing a solid support system is crucial in staying sober. Here are some types of support that can help you survive your first month of sobriety:
- 12-Step Meetings: Attending 12-Step Meetings daily can help you stay on track with your sobriety. Being around other people who have been through what you’re currently going through can help you feel less isolated in your recovery and inspired to continue.
- Support System: It is integral to create your own support system of sober friends, friends who support your choice to be sober, and family members in order to stay sober. Whenever you start to feel down or hopeless, your support system can be there to offer you the motivation and comfort you need to move forward.
- Therapy: Many addictions are precipitated by underlying mental health factors. Taking time to attend therapy regularly can help you address the deeper issues that are motivating your addiction and help you discover what you need to work on to stay sober long-term.
Don’t dwell on the past
It can be easy to get caught in a loop of guilt and shame in early sobriety. Focusing on the past will only make you feel depressed and increase your risk of relapse. Try to focus on the present and future when in your first month of sobriety. Set weekly and monthly goals rather than worrying about what mistakes you made in the past. You are a new person now that you are sober, so by focusing on the present and the future you can begin to grow and create a better, sober life for yourself.
Establish a routine
Adjusting to sobriety can feel confusing and overwhelming. By creating a consistent schedule, you are providing yourself with predictability and structure. Setting up a daily routine that includes activities integral to your sobriety, such as attending 12-Step meetings and getting exercise, can help you start to regain control over your life and combat feelings of chaos.
Try meditating
Meditating can be frustrating and confusing at first, but it can also be a powerful tool in staying sober. If you are new to meditating and require some guidance, there are many apps that you can download with a wide range of meditation options. Some of these apps are Insight Timer, Calm, and Smiling Mind. Each offers everything from guided meditation to meditation specific to recovery to more.
It is crucial to remember that sobriety is a lifelong journey and some days will be easier than others. Finding ways to cope with the more challenging days is essential in safeguarding your sobriety. Getting through your first 30 days can be challenging, but with support and motivation, you can make it through your first month of sobriety.
Reach 30 Days and Beyond with Design for Recovery
Your first month of sobriety can be one of the most challenging periods of the recovery process. It’s a time of adjustment, self-discovery, and growth, and having a supportive environment can make all the difference. A sober living facility in Los Angeles can provide the structure and guidance that individuals need during this crucial period. At a sober living facility in Los Angeles, residents have access to resources and support that can help them navigate the challenges of early sobriety. Residents work hard daily to develop new skills, values, and coping mechanisms for approaching life in early recovery.
At Design for Recovery, we believe that addiction recovery involves more than just physically abstaining from substances — it involves building a new way of life. With the help of Design for Recovery’s sober living services, you can begin to develop the skills to not only reach 30 days of sobriety but to stay sober long-term.
Recommended to Read: Rules of Sober Living Houses
