Hang On to What Works for Your Sobriety

 

Crossing the threshold between addiction and recovery is a step by step process. It's going to take time. It's going to require a process of change. In fact, in some ways you might still have one foot in addiction. You might still have memories of your old life that come to mind. You might have dreams of who you were when you were still using. You might also have contact with some of your old friends. Although you know in your heart that you would never use again, there's still a faint part of you that's connected to your old way of life. 

For this reason, it's important to hang on to what's working for you in sobriety. You might know that your morning meditation helps keep you calm and relaxed. You might recognize that your job, although sometimes stressful, gives you the financial resources to keep a roof over your head. You might be grateful for the support of your family, the health of your body, and the clarity of your mind. But if you were to neglect  what's working for you for a day or two, you might find that your stress level is higher and that you don't feel as mentally clear as you usually do.  You might even begin to have cravings to use again. 

If you're frightened of having everything unravel (and many early recovering addicts are), then you make a list of what's working for you. This might include things like:

• morning walk
• weekly attendance to church 
• daily attendance to 12-step meetings 
• support from friends and family 
•  regular attendance to a yoga class
• love from a significant other
• job or career 
• eating healthy 
• seeing your therapist 
• talking to your sponsor 
• plenty of time in nature 
• enjoying time with sober friends and family 
• daily dose of laughter 
• watching good movies 
• your favorite television program 
• hot baths 
• working out at the gym 
• listening to music 
•  being creative - journaling or painting or dancing 
• reading inspirational books 
• listening to motivational speeches or stories about recovery 

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If you have a regular practice of an activity in your life that is helping you feel good about yourself and healthy, then keep doing it! In fact, even if you're feeling great one day and you decide that you don't need to go for a run or time for meditation, you might notice that the absence of that activity will have its effect on you. And if you don't do your self-care activity for a few days in a row, you may realize that you're becoming less mentally clear, less calm, and more agitated. 

If you know that an activity is working well in your life and supporting your recovery, hang on to it. Don't let it go, even if you're feeling well. By participating in an activity every day, it might be hard to notice its effects, but it may have a subtle influence on your mood, attitude, and thinking. In fact, it may be keeping you sober.