The point is to find activities to fill the time and help you become a better person. You’ll start to transform your identity into someone who shows up, does the hard work, and looks smoking hot in a swimsuit. Sobriety will get better when you are actually open to LEARNING from other people how to be a happy, stable individual.

Dopamine, the main brain chemical used in creating pleasure in the brain, is responsible here. As someone becomes more and more addicted to a substance, their drug abuse becomes the only way that dopamine is released. And in fact, the “high” that addicts keep chasing is caused by the massive release of this chemical in the brain.

How to Get Sober

Milestones can help motivate a person to remain sober to reach the next milestone. Relapse can and does happen, but it’s also preventable. Knowing relapse signs can help you recognize your risk of relapse. Even a modest amount of alcohol can lead to a restless night. Alcohol is appealing as a sleep aid because it’s sedating and can help with falling asleep.

And yes, sometimes I get jealous of my friends that can drink normally. But now, I get to be the person who makes sure they get home safe from the bar. And I’m also the one who doesn’t wake up with a hangover. Recognizing an addiction for what it is can be tough, as you can see.

Not Everyone in Your Circle Will Understand Your Recovery from Addiction

In some cases – in many cases – it may be necessary to separate from that friend who is still actively drinking/using. If someone can’t support the recovery from addiction that is saving your life, then losing them is not really a loss. This being sober sucks is probably the one truth that everybody knows but hopes won’t apply to them. But if they’re like most people, they know that getting clean is fraught with uncomfortable and even deadly symptoms that affect both the body and the mind.

• It is an awkward, vulnerable dance between two awkward, vulnerable humans.
• Because without the right kind of help, trying to get clean can actually be life-threatening in some cases.
• Even if you are making one small choice to improve how you feel each day, like working out more or eating better, track it.
• No matter what happened yesterday or even five minutes ago, you can choose to be patient with yourself, reassess, and pivot as needed.