In 2022, the National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics found that almost 20% of the population misused a prescription drug or consumed an illicit substance. One-fifth of the population equals 53 million individuals.
The study also found that individuals who consume substances at younger ages, develop stronger and more volatile addictions.
Moreover, the medical community sees relapses differently in 2022. They expect that 80% of individuals will relapse eventually.
Nonetheless, individuals still benefit from making sobriety a goal.
Let’s look at nine tips for getting and staying sober.
1. Admit that You Have a Problem
Getting and staying sober starts with honesty. Individuals who admit that they have a problem stop living in denial. It’s difficult to white-knuckle your way through sobriety.
Eventually, the denial catches up.
In the 12-step program, the first step is admitting that the individual is powerless against their substance of choice. Honesty helps individuals tackle their problems and cravings without apprehension. How to get sober is a very difficult question for all individuals but understanding that you have a problem is a big leap in the therapy process and it can only get easier from there.
2. Practice Daily
Sobriety requires a daily commitment; it becomes a lifelong endeavor too. Those who don’t relapse within 30 days, can relapse after several years.
An estimated 80% of individuals relapse after developing an addiction to alcohol. Individuals who receive treatment relapsed after several years. Those who do not receive treatment relapsed shortly after committing to sobriety.
If the reality of relapse seems like a hurdle, remember that plenty of support is available to you.
3. Enter an Inpatient Program
Inpatient programs have a high degree of success. They help patients detox, deal with withdrawal symptoms, and obtain tips to prevent relapse.
Although an 80% chance of relapse exists for all individuals dealing with substance use disorders, tackling sobriety on a clean slate increases the possibility for success.
Hollywood Hills Recovery provides inpatient programs that help patients get and stay sober through a holistic approach.
4. Join an Outpatient Program
Outpatient programs benefit those who recently exited the inpatient version; they act as maintenance. Outpatient programs also benefit those who cannot miss work, school, or family.
Remaining sober requires support. A support system made up of family members, friends, and peers is a great start. You also need a support system of people who understand your experience and daily trials.
5. Clean House
To stay sober, clean house. Even if you have control over your disease, it takes one bad moment and proximity to your substance of choice to throw it away.
Get rid of all substances and replace them with water, healthy foods, and snacks.
6. Change Your Environment
Every person’s circumstances differ slightly. The individual’s environment plays a large role in their substance use and alcohol consumption.
Environmental factors include:
- Family members
- Friends
- Peers
- Neighborhood
The medical community also takes family history, genetics, and mental health into account.
When the environment causes or exacerbates an addiction, work to change it. Your sobriety will thank you.
7. Attend a Meeting
At any given time, an AA or NA meeting is taking place across the United States; it’s by design.
AA dates back to 1935. Almost 90 years later, the organization continues to provide a safe space for people who require support from peers to receive it. Sometimes staying sober requires listening to others. Other times, you need to share and get the monkey off your back.
8. Avoid Testing Your Self Resolve
Thanks to social media, the public is engaging in questionable behaviors and sharing them online. Sometimes, it doesn’t end well.
Inpatient and outpatient programs teach patients how to deal with triggering situations; they’re inevitable. However, avoid looking for them.
There is no good reason to test yourself. Instead, avoid putting yourself in tempting situations. When you can’t avoid them, employ the skills that you picked up in inpatient and outpatient programs.
9. Become Productive
The less you think about alcohol or your substance of choice, the more likely you will remain sober. Therefore, become productive.
Some individuals benefit from focusing on their work. However, if your career drove you down the substance abuse path, you must find alternative routes.
Volunteering, spending time outdoors, and adopting a hobby are activities to consider that can keep your mind off your substance of choice.
Conclusion
In 2022, individuals can obtain more help for getting and staying sober. Several more resources exist than ever before. It starts with the individual admitting that they have a problem. Then, they can pick from inpatient, outpatient, and meetings to prevent relapse.
