Living Sober: 5 Tips to Prevent Relapse and Sustain Your Sobriety

Many people who are working through addiction recovery will experience (or come close to) relapse at least one time

Relapsing can be a discouraging thing when you are working hard at living sober. It can also be dangerous, particularly for individuals who previously developed a high tolerance to high-risk substances.

Fortunately, there are steps that you can take to increase relapse prevention and strengthen your addiction recovery process.

Read on for five tips to prevent relapse and sustain your sobriety.

1. Identify Your Triggers

Substance use is typically linked to things like stress, depression, and other feelings that may be hard to manage. Identify the triggers in your day-to-day life that make you want to break sobriety. This could be anything from having a conversation with a toxic person in your life to feeling rejected. 

2. Develop New and Healthy Coping Mechanisms

Once you identify your triggers, you can start to prepare for them. What are some healthier coping mechanisms you can try when your triggers arise?

Stress management tools are key. Try implementing mindfulness activities such as meditation, yoga, or running. 

3. Continue Treatment After Rehab

If you’ve completed a program with a drug rehab or alcohol rehab center, keep your treatment going. You might benefit from living in a sober living house or continuing cognitive therapy. You can also access free resources in your community, such as AA or NA. 

Continuing your treatment is a key part of your transition out of rehab. It helps you to center accountability, form new relationships, and access the support you need.

4. Understand the Risks of Relapse

We mentioned earlier that while you were dependent on a substance, you likely developed a high tolerance to it. After getting sober, that tolerance drops whether you realize it or not. Oftentimes, individuals who relapse don’t recognize their new limitations, and the risk of overdosing becomes much higher.

Remember, one of the reasons that you are living sober now is that you want to live a long and healthy life. Ask questions like, “What is the 27 club?” and remind yourself that you don’t want to join it.

5. Don’t Hesitate to Ask For Help

As you recover from substance abuse, it is important to foster positive relationships. Build trust with people who are invested in your health and sobriety. That way, you have a community to reach out to when you need to ask for help. 

You don’t have to go through recovery alone. Learning to ask for help when you need it is a sign of strength and determination and can make living sober much more attainable. 

Living Sober Requires Determination and Vigilance 

Living sober after addiction recovery isn’t always easy. It requires determination and vigilance every day. These five tips can help you avoid relapse and improve your recovery experience.

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