You can also reach out to those in the 12 step community. When things feel out of control or you feel that you’re at risk for relapse, go to a meeting. Stand up and say, I’m having a rough time, and any extra support is appreciated. When things seem to be going down hill, you must remember that bad things happen to people all the time.

Develop new hobbies to find joy and fulfillment without the need for substances

• In this podcast I share a little of what has and has not worked for me.
• Support groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous, SMART Recovery, or other local sobriety support groups offer a community of people who are going through similar challenges.
• Choose to recognize that the choices you make directly impact your experience.
• Part of my sobriety journey involves forgiving myself for being a truly atrocious and high-maintenance friend to some pretty amazing people.
• That includes not becoming a victim to life’s circumstances.
• The person who drinks herself silly on a Friday night and posts self-deprecating posts on social media, hoping to find validation for the pain she’s in.
• Everyone faces difficult situations, ranging from getting a rough night’s sleep to dealing with a death in the family or an unexpected divorce.

Start by identifying friends and family members who understand your journey to sobriety and are willing to help you through it. It’s important to choose people who are nonjudgmental and encouraging, rather than those who might inadvertently lead you back into old habits. 💙 Start this simple 30-day program on Mindfulness for Beginners to build this supportive habit into your daily life.

• I know, I know, this website is called “Recovery Connection” and it is designed to encourage those who are suffering the slings and arrows of addiction to get help.
• That was my routine, for days on end, and the only thing that made me not hate myself for any length of time was drinking and drugging.
• For me, I always thought that not drinking was the hard part.
• 💙 Start this simple 30-day program on Mindfulness for Beginners to build this supportive habit into your daily life.
• Instead, here was Andrew, my boss, being supportive, working to help me find a way to get out to Vancouver.

How bad is bad?

Here’s how to stay sober, and sane, when life sucks. As with most problems, the solution is as difficult or as simple as we make it. Sometimes, consider how your behavior has affected others. Or maybe those crotchety old-timers like to complain about life.

Why Is Sober Life So Boring?

That was my routine, for days on end, and the only thing that made me not hate myself for any length of time was drinking and drugging. If you tell yourself everyday that you are worthless, you find reinforcement of that in every small inconvenience, every minor mistake, and every failed interaction. I finally got to being sober sucks the point so dark, so lonely, so disappointed in myself that I couldn’t stand one more day like this and I knew that I couldn’t live like this anymore. I could either keep feeling like this, or quit every substance and see what could change. Any addict will tell you when you finally decide you need help, that help needs to be right away, so I started calling. Locally, it was long waits, after long waits, call after call.

Remember the Cost of Addiction

But when life sucks, staying sober can be more than hard, it can feel like it’s next to impossible. When I was growing up, it was clear to me, and drug addiction others, that I had some self-esteem issues. A therapist who specializes in addiction and recovery can offer invaluable support. This might include providing strategies to manage fears related to sobriety and sensitively addressing underlying issues. As you get going, keep a simple chart or use an app that tracks your progress.