Addiction recovery for most people comes with its own challenges. It can be stressful particularly if you are new to recovery as you will have to deal with constant cravings, cleaning up your addiction wreckage, and rebuilding relationships, all while trying to hang on to your new life in sobriety. Most parts of early recovery involve training you on how to cope with life struggles as a new way of dealing with addiction now that drug or alcohol use is no longer your option.
Doctors have to employ a wide range of skills and techniques to develop a personalized, well-rounded treatment plan. A great example of these techniques is meditation. If you just started your recovery journey or have been sober for a while but still struggle with addiction, consider practicing meditation to help you deal with depression, anxiety, and stress.
What Is Meditation?
Meditation is an alternative approach to addiction recovery that focuses on mind and body concentration with the goal of inducing relaxation and serenity. Meditation involves being mindful of your feelings, thoughts, and sensory experiences in the present surrounding. There are many ways of meditating, and methods differ based on the individual. It can be done in groups, alone, in silence, or with music and in a calm, serene area.
You also do not need to set timers to meditate. If you are a beginner, you can start meditating for a few minutes and work yourself up to longer sessions. You also do not need to be spiritual to participate – it is not a prayer session.
How Is It Useful in Addiction Recovery?
Meditation carries a significant value for individuals recovering from addiction to drugs and alcoholism. Generally, meditation promotes a sense of inner peace and calmness, improves mental health functioning, increases self -awareness and helps detect impulses and thoughts that make you have cravings, hence preventing relapses.
Improves self-esteem and acceptance
You are more likely to be harsh on yourself than on others, especially when you are on your journey to addiction recovery. Being mindful in meditation encourages attentiveness and observation of your feelings and thoughts, making it easier to be patient with yourself. After a few meditation sessions, you will be able to treat yourself better with the same acceptance and patience that you would likely extend to others in similar situations.
Improved mental and physical health
Meditation is not only good for your mental health but also excellent for physical fitness. When you develop self-awareness through meditation, you are likely to experience a positive impact on your anxiety and stress levels, which can significantly reduce the chances of developing medical-related illnesses like hypertension and heart problems. It has also been found to improve sleep quality.
Increases attention and resilience
Being mindful means not dwelling in the past or worrying about the future, but concentrating on the present. Mindful meditation helps you enjoy the current moment without getting distracted by the situation around you. People who practice meditation as a way of assisting them to cope with the symptoms of addiction recovery are known to be resilient. They have the power to bounce back even after a challenging situation, adapt to the new changes around them, and enjoy their new life in sobriety.
Tips to Get You Started
If you have never practiced meditation before, you may find it strange at first, but when you learn to be mindful and aware of your senses, thoughts, and feelings, you will reap wholesomely the rewards that come along with it. The practice will help you in your recovery journey and throughout your new life. You don’t need to be a pro to start meditating; you can begin with simple meditative exercises as you learn which ones work best for you. Here are a few tips you can use:
Progressive muscle relaxation: To bring awareness to every part of your body, you need to have your muscles relax from head to toe progressively.
Breathing practice: Relax and breathe naturally while focusing on inhalation and exhalation.
Mantra-based: This form of meditation involves repeating a phrase or word out loud or internally. This helps to bring your mind back to meditation in case it wanders, and you lose attention.
Movement meditation: This involves incorporating physical activities such as hikes, yoga, walking, or surfing while still being mindful of your body movements.
Meditation is a personal treatment plan. That means that what may work for you may not work for someone else. Trying new techniques is the best way to identify which ones work best for you.
Let Us Help You
If you or a loved one is struggling to stay sober, it is essential to seek professional help from a holistic rehabilitation program like Soba Recovery Center. At Soba, we are a certified luxury detox and drug rehab program. Our expert doctors will review your medical history, ask you a few questions about yourself, the substance you have been abusing, and how long you have been abusing it to help us come up with a personalized treatment plan. To learn more about our services and how we can best help you, please contact our recovery support specialists today! We hope to hear from you soon.
Drugs and alcohol negatively impact our mind and body. They throw our body off balance, can make us do things we wouldn’t necessarily do when we’re sober, and even though they may make us feel good in the moment, that feeling doesn’t last. One of the reasons you (or someone you know whose addicted to drugs or alcohol) can’t stop using is probably because you’re constantly chasing the high. That ‘feel good’ moment. Unfortunately, we can tell you that you’ll never feel 100% satisfied with getting high. You’re chasing something that can truly never be achieved. No one is going to feel good all the time, that’s just part of life.
Now that we’ve established that we can’t fill an emotional void with drugs or alcohol, let’s talk about getting sober. Trust us when we say, your life will change immensely. The unknown can be scary, especially without the aid of drugs and alcohol, but getting sober is the best thing you can do for yourself and everyone around you.
Why Should You Get Sober?
Whether we want to admit it or not, our actions affect other people. If you drank too much the night before your sibling’s graduation and don’t show up, your sibling will be disappointed. If your friend is counting on you to pick them up from somewhere because they don’t have a car, and you forget because you’re high, they’re going to be disappointed. Being able to rely on others for help or assistance is a fundamental part of modern-day society. If you spend most of your day getting high or drunk, you probably aren’t the most reliable. By getting sober, you can become a dependable friend and family member.
You also deserve to get sober for yourself. Addiction is totally consuming no matter what stage you’re at. Even if you only drink alcohol at night, you’re probably thinking about that first drink you’ll have all day. If you’re addicted to prescription pills, the thought of running out probably looms over your head like a dark rain cloud.
Benefits of Sobriety
Sobriety will improve your quality of life. Some ways your life will change by getting sober are:
You can reach your professional potential: When you get sober you can think clearly. Your thoughts are no longer hazed by drugs. While you’re getting high, you probably don’t care much about your job. A job is just a means to make money to spend on drugs and alcohol. After you get sober, you’ll see that a job is more than just a way to make money. A job is something you can be passionate about and progress in. Most jobs have goals and milestones set in place for their employees to achieve so they can get promoted and make more money. Sobriety will give you the ability to reach and exceed professional goals.
You will have a new purpose in life: A big part of sobriety is giving back to others. Becoming sober isn’t easy and it’s definitely something to be proud of. When you get sober you will have the chance to help others start a recovery journey. The knowledge you gain on your own journey can be passed down to others. By doing this you’re probably going to end up saving someone’s life.
You’ll feel much better physically: Addiction is mentally and physically exhausting. And let’s be real here, you’re probably not going to the gym or meditating when you’re getting high. By getting sober you’re giving yourself a chance to actually feel good (not the temporary getting high good). You’ll sleep better and have more energy to get things done during the day.
If you or anyone you know is struggling, don’t wait to get help. Your life will be so much better when you’re sober.
Let Us Help!
At Soba Recovery, we are excited to be one of the main drug and alcohol treatment services serving the Mesa, AZ and San Antonio, TX areas. Our professionals have an extensive amount of training and experience, allowing them to provide specialized services to patients. Our detox and inpatient treatment services help clients battle addiction and proceed on the road to recovery. Our specialized luxury addiction treatment program leverages proven, traditional treatment methods, and combines them with innovative therapies. The main goal of our program is to help our participants overcome substance abuse permanently. If you would like to learn more about our addiction recovery and treatment program, please contact us today!
For a long time, there were misconceptions surrounding substance abuse, drug abuse, and addiction. Now the general public and medical communities have a stronger understanding of addiction, what it is, and how to treat it.
The drive to treat addiction never ends. Sobriety is a lifelong journey. For this reason, there are specialized locations that have been created to help people not just attain but also maintain sobriety. This starts with something called sober living.
What is Sober Living?
Sober living homes are areas where homes have been created specifically for individuals who are working to recover from an addiction to alcohol or drugs. In many respects, these homes operate as a co-op. People often do chores to keep the home maintained as a way to cut down on costs.
There are multiple types of sober living homes. Some homes might be owned by religious groups who are looking to help people who struggle with addiction. Businesses might also operate sober living homes as a form of charity. The vast majority of sober living homes are run by private organizations.
Sober living homes can vary from place to place. Each one operates in a different manner. For example, many homes have a resident manager who works to oversee the rules of the house. Other homes have a more democratic arrangement where everyone works together. The good news is that there is a sober living home out there for everyone.
How Does Sober Living Help?
There are a number of ways in which a sober living home can help someone who is recovering from an addiction to alcohol or drugs. This type of addiction treatment is important for everyone, even those in recovery. These homes help by providing someone a stable environment in which they can take the next steps on the road to sobriety. Plenty of studies have been published showing that it’s hard to maintain sobriety in a home that’s dysfunctional. This is going to cause people to relapse, returning to a life of alcohol and drugs. Sober living homes act as a safe arrangement that has been created by the residents for the residents. Everyone who lives in sober living has completed a form of treatment for drugs or alcohol.
Residents of sober livings are encouraged to continue to seek outpatient treatment while living in the home. Residents are also going to be encouraged to seek a 12-step program. Sober living homes are a fantastic resource but only work if the individuals in the home are fully committed to the recovery process. Sober livings are a community where everyone supports each other.
Why Should You Attend Sober Living After Rehab?
Sober Living is a great transition from rehab to the real world. The homes rely on the residents to work together to hold each other accountable for their actions and sobriety. Rehab and treatment programs teach addicts the tools to stay sober but it’s up to them whether or not they want to use those tools outside treatment. With the encouragement of other people living in sober living, people have a much better chance of maintaining their sobriety.
These homes are also great for people who are worried they might not have a safe place to return to. Inpatient programs are great but if someone walks out of the program and returns to the environment that led to their substance abuse use, this is going to result in relapse and another stay at inpatient.
Sober living homes provide a great alternative to returning home. Because these homes are free from drugs and alcohol, this is a safer place for people to continue the road to recovery. These homes have other resources that can help people mend broken relationships as well as find employment.
Help is Here For You
At Soba Recovery, we are a compassionate drug and alcohol treatment program with locations in Mesa, Arizona, and San Antonio, Texas. We are proud to offer detox and inpatient treatment options designed to treat addiction. After inpatient, we encourage all of our clients to complete outpatient and sober living as aftercare. Using the tools we teach you during inpatient, sober living will be one of the most important parts of your recovery journey. Give us a call today.
Addiction: a commonly heard word that is often misunderstood. Addiction knows no prejudice and can manifest in many ways. Some people may currently be sliding down the path to addiction and not know it. Other people might be stuck in the cycle of drug abuse and addiction with no idea of how to escape.
The first step on the road to recovery is admitting you have a problem and ask for help. We know this is easier said than done. To help you get started, we want to let you know what to expect when deciding to get sober.
What To Expect During Addiction Recovery
Addiction recovery is a challenging and exciting journey for those who have been struggling with drug abuse or alcoholism. It’s normal to be nervous and anxious during this time. Using drugs has become your new normal and facing sobriety, the unknown is scary. Below are a few things you can anticipate on the road to recovery:
A New Life: One of the first things that everyone should expect during this journey is that there is going to be a new life. In order for people to truly conquer their addiction, they need to figure out the root of the problem and eradicate it. As a result of this, you’ll feel like your entire life has been turned upside down. And that’s ok.
Better Relationships: You can also expect better and stronger personal relationships. Many of your old relationships with friends will be left behind and that’s also ok. During this process, the bad friends will be weeded out and the good ones will stick by your side during recovery. You’ll also have the opportunity to meet like-minded people who will support your recovery.
Gratification: Finally, people who make the decision to get sober should also expect a hard but worthwhile challenge. Nobody ever said that beating addiction is easy but you’ll feel a sense of gratification once you achieve it. No one can hand you your sobriety, it’s something you earn on your own. You won’t regret making the decision to get better, find sobriety, and become happy.
How to Get Started on the Journey to Sobriety
If you want to get sober and don’t know where to start, a good first step is admitting you have a problem to someone and asking for help. There are friends and family members who are going to be there no matter what. They’ve been there through the good times and the bad. If you don’t feel like there is someone in your life you can currently lean on, you can turn to a trained treatment center professional. They can answer any questions you have and point you in the direction of the right course of treatment for you.
Allow Us to Help You!
At Soba recovery, we’re a drug and alcohol recovery program that offers treatment from our Soba Mesa rehab center in Mesa, Arizona as well as our Soba Texas rehab center in San Antonio, TX. We’ve expanded our capabilities to ensure we offer both detox and inpatient treatment for addiction. We are here to help people get started on the journey to sobriety. We offer a unique program that combines traditional treatment with modern therapies. We have found that this helps our clients overcome substance abuse for good. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you!
Recovering from drug and alcohol addiction doesn’t have to be boring. In fact, you can still rehabilitate your life and have fun. You can abstain from drugs and alcohol and enjoy concerts, the great outdoors, festivals, and fairs. This is especially true if you’re recovering in Texas.
Everyone is familiar with the saying “Everything is bigger in Texas”, so we are sure that you will be pleasantly surprised to find out that applies to even our tourist spots. Texas is as diverse as it is huge. There is quite a lot to see and do inside the Alamo City no matter what time of day it is. In addition to the state’s many cities, coastal beaches, mountain ranges, deserts, and state parks, the Lone Star State also has a wealth of activities to enjoy. Whether you choose to explore their lovely zoo with more than 750+ species within 56 acres or the state’s historic sites, esteemed museums, rodeos, country music festivals, or its wide range of other attractions, it won’t take you long to realize that there’s a lot to do in Texas.
Being under the influence isn’t the only way you can enjoy yourself. Albeit, finding activities or entertainment that doesn’t revolve around being under the influence can be difficult if you don’t know where to look, and to help you narrow down some of your options, here are a few of the Lone Star State’s top sober activities.
The Top Sober Activities You Shouldn’t Miss In Texas
1. Discover New Adventures at Natural Bridge Caverns
If you enjoy exploring the great outdoors, channel your inner Indiana Jones and visit the Natural Bridge Caverns. These caverns, which were discovered more than 50 years ago, feature more than 10,000 unique geological formations.
In March 1960, four St. Mary University students were convinced that large underground passages existed under the 60-foot limestone bridge from which the caverns are named. After obtaining permission to explore the area, they climbed and crawled into the darkness and discovered 2 miles of vast caves and cavern passages. Eleven years later, the passageways became a national natural landmark.
Today, people from all over the world come to see the cavern’s unique mineral formations. You can also explore newly uncovered passages. Whether you choose to go on a discovery expedition, explore hidden passages, or take a private tour, Texas’ premier natural attraction will give you a look beneath the earth’s surface that’s sure to leave you in awe. You can also find a wide range of sober activities to enjoy above the caverns. The surface attractions include:
Ziplines
Mining and panning for gems
A 5,000-square-foot maze
A treetop climbing adventure
You can also check out the Natural Bridge Caverns’ event page for a list of upcoming activities as well.
2. Get Physically Fit and Reconnect With Mother Nature At Big Bend National Park
You can commune with nature and get some exercise by walking and hiking through Big Bend National Park. The park, which borders Mexico, has some of the most dramatic and beautiful scenery in the state, including 1,200 different plant species. Big Bend National Park also offers spectacular views of canyons, the Chisos Mountains, and the Rio Grande River.
Even though Big Bend is known for its hiking and backpacking trails, the park is also a perfect place to:
Birdwatch. The park is home to more than 450 different species of birds.
Stargaze. As a certified international dark sky park, Big Bend has one of the darkest skies in the continental US, which makes it an ideal place for stargazing enthusiasts.
Go camping. If you love the outdoors, you’ll feel right at home on Big Bend’s beautiful campgrounds.
Paddle along the Rio Grande River and spend a little time wading in the water on warm summer days.
Picnic. Whether you choose to enjoy a healthy snack off the beaten path, near the campgrounds or along a walking trail, Big Bend is a wonderful place to sit back, enjoy the weather, reconnect with mother nature, and count your blessings.
Scenic Drives. If you’re not in the mood to hike, you can also hop in your car, hit the road, and explore the park’s gorgeous vitas on one of Big Bend’s many scenic drives.
3. Unleash Your Inner Artist At Cadillac Ranch
Even though Cadillac Ranch was created all the way back in 1974 by a group of unconventional artists known as the Ant Farm group, today, the Texas attraction is more popular than ever. This seemingly odd attraction consisting of 10 Cadillac cars covered in multicolored graffiti which are half-buried in the ground is now one of Texas’ most iconic sites. Because everyone adds their own creative mark to the Cadillacs in the ground, the artwork on the vehicles is an ever-changing canvas. The site is free to visit and you are more than welcome to unleash your inner artist or tell your own story on the Cadillacs themselves. In other words, feel free to spray paint your own design on the cars. If you’re feeling especially creative, bring your own spray paint. If this is an impromptu trip, you can find spray paint cans of all colors left on the ground from thousands of other people who have also shared their artistry at Cadillac Ranch.
4. Enjoy Your Sobriety at Sans Bar, A Sober Bar In Austin, Texas
Created by addiction counselor Chris Marshall, Sans Bar is the first sober bar in Austin, Texas. After setting up a GoFundMe in 2015 because he grew tired of watching people he loved die from addiction, Marshall created Sans Bar, Texas’ first alcohol-free bar.
“Over and over, I watched clients and friends struggle and relapse, returning to alcohol, in part because they felt socially isolated,” Marshall explained. “Sometimes, tragically, it ended in death.” Today, Sans Bar helps adults socialize while staying sober. The sober bar offers mocktails and a wide range of entertainment such as karaoke nights, live music, sober sports viewing, and drag shows. But Sans Bar is more than just a place with great drinks and good food.
Sans Bar also remains open throughout the day for the local community in Austin offering services that can improve your physical, mental and spiritual health. Some of the bar’s community-oriented recovery services include:
Designed and built in 1929, the Majestic Theater was the largest theater in Texas for many years and the second-largest motion picture theater in the country. Today, the Majestic Theater is considered to be one of the most elaborate theaters in the country and is San Antonio’s premier performing arts facility. Even though the theater is known for its Broadway shows, you can also enjoy a concert, comedy show, and other live events taking place in the heart of downtown San Antonio.
The Majestic Theater is also nestled in the heart of San Antonio’s famed Riverwalk area, where visitors can wind past restaurants and shops following the San Antonio River. Just steps from the Riverwalk is the legendary Alamo, arguably the most famous historic site in Texas, as well as other attractions such as the Briscoe Western Art Museum and Artspace San Antonio.
6. Visit the Farmers Market at the Pearl
Think of the farmers market at pearl as a Boston creme donut enticing and inviting on the outside, but absolutely amazing on the inside. With almost 20 friendly merchants and dealers selling things like hot food for on the go-to standard jewelry, there is undoubtedly something for everybody inside. The pearl district is not lacking in picturesque beauty in the landscape and design so you can never get bored with the layout while you explore. This community gathering is actually dog-friendly, kid-friendly, and fun for the entire family without being horribly expensive. Feel free to wake up and start your day there, coffee in your hand, and central downtown just a few blocks away if you would enjoy more solidarity. There is something for all kinds of people in this market.
7. See a Rodeo
You don’t have to be a farm-raised cowboy to enjoy a rodeo and some good ole fashioned roughhousing. Make your way over to the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo during the month of February and March, or perhaps the Teja Rodeo which is from the spring to the end of fall; to enjoy bull-riding, barrel racing, and calf roping. Live music is also happily included with the admission price, along with the chance to ride an infamous mechanical bull or you could get your shoes shined if you aren’t one for roughhousing. There are still activities available for those who aren’t seeking a quick thrill and prefer to relax in their downtime, like the hayrides or an armadillo race.
8. Visit The Esquire Tavern
The Esquire Taverns is just as mysterious and mystical as the name suggests. They distribute alcohol of course but there is still plenty to do for those who don’t drink! There is delectable food waiting for you at the pub, so don’t be hesitant when it comes to grabbing a seat! Food and drinks aren’t the only things that await you at the pub either, be sure to catch a fantastic musical act for the night before heading home. Whether you are here accompanied by your loved ones or for business, you are undoubtedly going to enjoy your visit to The Esquire Tavern.
9. Get your game on with Knight Watch Games
San Antonio is happy to cater to all tastes and if your tastes happen to be competitive cards/board games such as Dungeons And Dragons or Game Of Thrones in a hall that could make the most professional of game designers jealous-Then Knight Watch is definitely down your alley. With an amazing combo of a gaming hall for you to play to your heart’s content, a game shop for you to purchase your own games to play in the future, and a clothing shop to dress the part of any renaissance role you see fit-Knight Watch is a personal getaway for anyone who enjoys thoughtful games and trials that kicks the brain into motion. Knight Watch accepts all visitors with open arms whether you come by yourself or with friends.
10. Explore your artistic side with ArtPace
Are you on the artistic side? Find yourself marveling at art? Then the ArtPace is the place for you! The museum is definitely an acquired taste, full to the brim with contemporary art. Nine artists are invited to live there and work throughout the year, three from different parts of Texas and others from different parts of the United States and the world. One of their most recent partnerships was with Austin Eastciders in “Cider Sessions” where they distributed free cider and visitors were invited to see just how artists were able to create their pieces. ArtPace does not charge any admission money and prides itself on being open to all parts of the public. All in all, if you lean more on the creative side ArtPace will be a memorable trip to take.
San Antonio is primarily known for the Alamo, however, that does not mean that there aren’t other fun things to do when moseying through town besides drinking. It is also the home to many amusement parks such as Six flags, the wet and wild SeaWorld, as well as the famous river walk. Addiction recovery can be difficult, but we are more than willing to show you the best of the best in San Antonio; So you can reward yourself and take the vacation that you deserve while maintaining your sobriety.
Other Ways to Have Sober Fun in Texas
One of the biggest challenges that people are going to face on this journey is figuring out how to have fun. Let’s face it: drugs and alcohol are often used at parties to facilitate fun. The good news is that there are plenty of other ways to have fun in sobriety.
The area around San Antonio, TX is filled with great ways to have fun. Now that people are sober, this is a time to take risks appropriately, having fun without breaking the rules. This is very different (but fulfilling!) from the type of fun people have while drunk or under the influence of drugs.
San Antonio is known for its natural beauty. You can go hiking for the first time and explore the great outdoors. If you’re an adrenaline ‘junkie’, take a trip skydiving in the local area. Why not also take a risk and try to meet new people? One of the most important things people have to accomplish when they attain sobriety is finding new relationships that are going to help them maintain that sobriety. Meeting new people is a great way to do exactly that.
In general, people can have fun in sobriety by doing the things that “normal” people do. While “normal” is just a social construct, we’re talking about the stuff you probably wouldn’t have done while you were getting high, like riding a bike. You probably weren’t going to the movies either with friends while you were using but it’s actually very fun. You’ll be surprised at the joy that ensues while picking out candy and popcorn.
Try Picking Up an Old Hobby
There are plenty of people who still wish they could do something from their days as a child. This might mean an old sport, playing a musical instrument, or learning a second language. These are all great sober hobbies that you can do with your new free time that’s no longer being monopolized by addiction. It’s also important to reconnect with hobbies that remind you of what you were like before you started using drugs or alcohol.
Why Having Fun in Sobriety Matters
The journey to sobriety is challenging. Tears, anger, and hurdles to overcome are usually involved but it’s worth it. People in recovery work extremely hard for their sobriety and deserve to have fun. Happy and healthy individuals are less likely to relapse as well.
Let Us Help You Find Fun in Sobriety!
Here at Soba Recovery, we’re proud to call Texas home. We wholeheartedly believe that with professional addiction treatment you can thrive in every area of your life: physically, emotionally, psychologically, financially, and socially. Participating in sober activities can help you:
Relieve stress
Improve your physical fitness
Meet new people with similar interests and values
Change your outlook on life
Improve your overall well being
Reduce your risk of relapse
We provide a wide variety of detox and inpatient treatment options for substance abuse. We also offer a unique luxury program that combines traditional treatment and modern therapies to assist clients on the path to addiction recovery and sobriety. Please contact us today if you would like to learn more about our service!
If you are thinking about getting sober, then you need to check out the story below. Addiction is a serious disease that impacts countless people all over the world. It has a way of slowly, gradually wrapping its claws around someone before it swallows them whole. Often, there is collateral damage that goes right along with addiction. This comes in the form of family members, friends, career problems, and a damaged reputation. Fortunately, when someone makes the decision to get sober, there are major changes that take place in that person’s life. If you are thinking about seeking addiction treatment and trying to find sobriety, it is important to think about the major changes that take place when you seek help for substance abuse.
Your Friendships Are Going to Change
Anyone who spends time drinking or doing drugs inevitably will surround themselves with people who do the same. This is simply the law of attraction. If you drink on a regular basis, you likely hang out with people who do the same. There is a reputation during high school and college that people are more fun when they drink. They call alcohol the social lubricant and it can help people stand out. This is also a nice way to blend in with the crowd.
On the other hand, too much alcohol can destroy someone’s life. People need to be sober. This is where people find meaningful relationships, build a career, and enjoy their family. Therefore, if you make the decision to stop drinking, you are going to find new friends. Some people might be a bit skeptical about your decision to stop drinking entirely; however, those who support you will continue to stand by you. Along the way, you will make new friends as well.
You Will Split Checks More Often
When you drink, you might find that you care more about splitting the checks evenly. When you drink, the bill ends up costing about the same all the way around. Alcohol is expensive and, when everyone drinks, the cost has a way of evening out. When you stop drinking, you will find that you spend way less money.
As a result, when you go out to eat, you are going to care about splitting the check a bit more. You might even find that you are hesitant to fund the alcohol industry. You may develop a moral opposition to this. There is nothing wrong with this. When you make an effort to find sobriety through addiction treatment, your life is going to change. That is what is supposed to happen. You should embrace this.
You Will Find New Hobbies
Those who like to drink tend to go out in the evenings and do exactly that. If you have an addiction to alcohol, you might also spend your days doing this as well. The point of addiction treatment is to find a way to break this habit. This means trying to find the root causes of why you were driven to drink (or use drugs) in the first place. As a result, your hobbies are going to change as well. Instead of spending your time drinking, you are going to spend your time doing other things. Prepare to find new hobbies.
At first, you might find that you are an introvert. You may spend more time doing things like watching Netflix. That is fine. You are learning to branch out and find new hobbies. Over time, as you make new friends and spend time with your family, you might be pushed to try other things. Do this. Embrace it. This is the chance for you to experience life without alcohol.
You Will Be Asked Why You Don’t Drink
Finally, be prepared for this one. People are going to ask you why you don’t drink. After all, most people who don’t go through addiction cannot imagine suffering from it themselves. They think, “that will never happen to me!” You know all too well that addiction can swallow anyone. Therefore, be prepared when people ask you why you don’t drink. At first, you might find this uncomfortable. You may even decline to answer. That’s okay! That is your right. Over time, you will become more comfortable coming to terms with why you can’t drink. This is all a part of the recovery process. Once people understand, they will support your decision. They will even watch out for you. Embrace this support system.
Rely on the Trained Professionals at Soba Recovery
At Soba Recovery, we are a substance abuse, drug, and alcohol treatment program with locations in Mesa, AZ, and San Antonio, TX. We provide professional detox and inpatient treatment for addiction. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you and your loved ones.
Addiction is a serious issue that impacts countless individuals and families across the country. Fortunately, the attitude towards addiction and mental health issues is starting to see a shift. This has allowed countless people who are impacted by addiction to seek the help that they deserve. Once someone is able to achieve sobriety, this is an occasion that deserves to be celebrated. When it comes to an addiction to opioids, this is an impressive achievement. Sadly, a large percentage of people who achieve sobriety are going to suffer a relapse. The relapse rate during recovery may be as high as 60 percent. Before someone makes the decision to use opioids, there are a few thoughts that need to enter the head.
1. Why Do I Feel to Urge to Revert to Substance Abuse?
First, people need to ask why they are feeling the urge to use opioids once again. While a relapse after a period of sobriety is not uncommon, it is also important for people to know why they are doing this. During the road to recovery, one of the goals is to address the root cause of the reasons why someone decided to use opioids in the first place. Have these causes changed? Are the roots the same? Figuring out why someone is feeling the urge to use opioids again is an important part of avoiding a relapse. Even though relapse can impact more than half of all individuals in recovery, there are still steps people should take to stay sober.
2. What Was My Top Priority During Addiction Treatment?
Next, people need to ask themselves whether or not sobriety is really their top priority. Sure, there are lots of pulls on people’s time. This includes personal relationships, professional relationships, job obligations, and personal hobbies. On the other hand, unless someone gets clean for themselves, they are not going to be able to stay sober. Without a complete and total dedication to long-term sobriety, relapse is going to happen. This means that people need to be willing to put in the hard work. Is the hard work getting done? Are meetings being attended? Are sponsors being called? Or are counseling sessions being capped? This can help people stay sober and avoid relapse.
3. Where Is My Addiction Treatment Support System?
In addition, everyone needs to ask whether or not they have a strong support system. Addiction is a disease. It should be treated as such. At the same time, addiction can be beaten. In order for someone to overcome addiction and stay sober, a strong support system must be in place. Someone who has newly achieved sobriety needs to rely on the support network from day one. This can make a difference in helping someone stay sober or relapsing back into the claws and reaches of addiction. Anyone who is thinking about using opioids needs to reach out to the support system. This might include friends, family members, spiritual leaders, and support groups.
4. Why Did I Make the Decision to Quit Substance Abuse?
Next, people need to make sure that they are quitting for the right reasons. As mentioned above, everyone needs to make the decision to quit for themselves and their long-term well-being. Anyone who enters into treatment in order to make friends or family members happy is bound to fail. If they aren’t committed to themselves, they are not going to be able to commit to treatment. This is one of the biggest reasons why people think about using opioids again. Everyone needs to make sure they are quitting for the right reasons. This can have a long-term impact on someone’s overall health, well-being, and future desires. Remember, before making the decision to use again, the impact this is going to have on one’s own life.
5. Am I Ready?
Finally, before making the decision to use opioids, people need to think about all of the work they have done to get to this point. When someone achieves sobriety, they had put in a tremendous amount of work in order to get clean. All of this work has been done to rebuild a regular life and avoid a relapse. Is it really OK to destroy all of this work at the altar of opioids? Is it really OK to return to the world of social isolation and damaged personal relationships? Remember to think about this before making the decision to use opioids again.
Rely on the Professionals at Soba Recovery
At Soba Recovery, we are dedicated to helping everyone find the drug and alcohol addiction treatment they need. With locations in Mesa, AZ, and San Antonio, TX we provide detox and inpatient treatment for numerous types of addiction. If you would like to learn more about our services, please call us today to learn more!
One of the things mentioned during nearly every addiction recovery program is how important it is to eat right and exercise throughout your sobriety. Not only do these things help get a body that has been beaten down back into shape, but exercise also offers other benefits that can ease cravings and keep you back on track. Let’s take a look at some of these benefits.
The Benefits of Exercise On Addiction Recovery
Exercise Can Provide Structure
One of the biggest things you learn in addiction recovery is that it helps to have a structure in your days because you need to fill in all that time previously spent imbibing. Joining a class that meets at a specific time, exercising with a group, or even creating your own daily schedule will all add more structure to your life.
Exercise Increases Your Mood
Exercise causes your brain to release those feel-good chemicals, endorphins. Everyone can benefit from that. In addition, as you watch your ability grow, find yourself walking further in less time, feeling healthier, you will gain pride in yourself that will want you to continue.
Exercise Increases Brain Growth
This is a scientific reality. While addicted, many pathways in your brain shut down from lack of use. When you exercise, the brain begins to utilize areas of the brain that have been lying quietly. This then helps create more neural pathways that lead to positive thoughts and feelings. Your brain begins to grow and come back alive.
Exercise Reduces Stress and Promotes Sleep
Think about a time when you were angry or upset and started pacing. At first, you may have been doing so at a very quick pace. As you continued, your steps began to slow, your mind began to clear, and you started to feel calmer. Exercise allows you to work off any negative emotions in a constructive way. As they dissipate, you can replace them with more positive ones. Once the stress is reduced, you can sleep deeper. This helps promote healing and overall rejuvenation of your body and mind.
Exercise Can Decrease Cravings
In studies, people trying to break free from nicotine addiction have been benefited by exercising through cravings, making quitting easier. This has also been the case with marijuana. While exercising, your mind becomes distracted as you focus on your body and the movements. Exercise helps you practice mindfulness and gives you a way to distract yourself from the cravings until they pass.
Exercise Can Create Connections
Exercising alone can be boring and that is why many people give up. However, there are many others who will be interested in the same type of exercise you choose. Having this common interest can help you make connections with people that you might not otherwise meet. These will be healthier connections. There are many walking and biking clubs. Simply joining a gym and maybe taking one class is another option. There are even some groups made up of others who are on the same sobriety journey as you. They will have the same interest and understand your journey.
Success Breeds Success
The more you find yourself improving in your chosen activity, the better you will feel. The better you feel mentally and physically, the more you will want to feel this. Your success will spread throughout all the areas of your life.
Final Thoughts
Exercise doesn’t have to be hours of weight-lifting, running a marathon, or aiming for the Olympics. Your addiction recovery plan will most likely have you start slow. Start a walking routine, join a yoga group, or try Zumba dancing. Whatever gets you moving and causes you to enjoy the time will work. You can do this!
Sobriety is something you are striving hard for. You are tired of the addiction and all the negative things it has caused in your life. Your addiction recovery has you thinking positively most of the time but you are discovering that the first thirty days of sobriety are difficult. They are probably the most difficult part of the journey. You may see your body getting better, but the thoughts that pop up unwanted in your mind may have you confused, doubtful, and even scared. Know that all of this is a normal part of addiction recovery. There are some things that you can do to help you get through this difficult period and come out on the other side with more strength and determination than you may currently see as possible.
Plan, Plan, Plan
When every minute of the day is planned for, you don’t have time to dwell on the time you spent getting drunk or high. Schedule time for exercise, eating, attending meetings, and even relaxation. Start thinking about your future and make plans for what you want to do with your new-found energy, time, and money.
Attend All Meetings
Now more than any other time you need to be near people who understand what you are going through. Don’t make any excuses for missing meetings. Even if you are having a good day, go with the idea you might be able to support someone else.
Stay Physically Healthy
This includes eating well, exercising, and maintaining a good sleep schedule. It also means keeping up with any doctor visits. As your body is healing, you want to do all you can to help it along.
Take Up a New Hobby
Think about the things you have always wanted to learn. Sign up for a class, join a group, or design your own private learning system. If nothing new appeals to you right away, consider something you used to love before drugs or alcohol and re-ignite that passion. Do you feel the photography bug tugging at you? Maybe you can write that book you used to think about or start painting.
Write
Journaling is a way of getting all the negative thoughts out of your mind. Putting them on paper allows you to examine them and then push them aside, making room for different, more positive thoughts. It is often better to actually write with pen and paper but if that isn’t your thing, a computer keyboard will still serve the purpose.
Practice Forgiveness
As time goes on, you will think about all the pain you may have caused. This includes pain and damage to yourself. You can’t go back and change these things. What you can do is acknowledge these things and then forgive yourself. Know that you are beyond that place now and you can make the future better. Learn to see that you are human and humans mess up. What is important is to move forward with a plan on doing better.
Make Connections
You are not alone. It is possible that you lost all the people you normally associated with when you entered addiction recovery. Sobriety tends to make you see who really has your best interest in mind. There are plenty of people out there, however, who will support you. Go to places, meet people. Maybe start going to church if that is something that interests you. Join a club, visit places like museums and art galleries, and talk with people.
Discover New Places
Think about all the places you have wanted to visit but pushed aside because they didn’t fit with your addiction. Now is the time to explore these places. You don’t even have to travel far from home to find some of these places. However, if travel is something you have always wanted to do, maybe you can start planning a vacation or road trip now to give you something to work toward.
You Will Make It
It won’t be easy and anybody that tells you it will be hasn’t been through the process. There will be doubts and you may even stumble but you will make it if you keep your resolve. Realize that it didn’t take you a day to get to this point and it won’t take you a day to recover. The main thing is, you can make it. Look toward some of the above things, and use them to discover others. The journey ahead is worth it. You are worth it.
Recovering from addiction is one of the most challenging things a person can ever go through. During the early stages of your sobriety, you will likely be your weakest. It is during this time that the chances of relapse at highest. This is why it is essential that you enter an addiction recovery program. Trying to quit cold turkey isn’t a good idea because it often doesn’t work, and it can also be dangerous.
In the early stages of recovery, you are almost like a ticking time bomb. It doesn’t take much to cause to turn to back to drugs or alcohol when you haven’t been sober for too long.
Stress and Relapse
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, one of the leading causes of relapse is stress. When you begin to feel stressed or overwhelmed, you will be tempted to self-medicate using drugs and alcohol. You will think about the feeling that you got when you were high or drunk, and it seems like the best way to fight the stress that you are experiencing. Many addicts who relapse during stressful times promise themselves that it will be, “just this one time,” so that they can get through the stressful situation. Unfortunately, the one time often turns back into a full-blown addiction.
Signs That You Are Overly Stressed
According to the American Psychological Association, your body has ways of letting you know that you are stressed. In some cases, it is the physical symptoms of stress that are the most unbearable. These include:
Headaches
Muscle tension
Upset stomach
Rapid heartbeat
Fatigue
Insomnia
Loss of appetite
Trouble concentrating
Jitters
Irritability
Forgetfulness
Anxiety
Trying To Manage the Stress
Unfortunately, it is almost impossible to remove all stressors from your life. Going through recovery is a very stressful situation in itself. Fortunately, there are ways that you can reduce your stress and the symptom associated with it.
Focus on your breathing: Stress can quickly lead to panic, which can cause you to feel short of breath. In cases like this, you should focus on your breathing. This type of deep breathing will reduce the fight or flight response in your body, and it can help ground you. Within a few minutes, you will be more relaxed and less likely to relapse.
Talk: Trying to keep your problems inside is only going to increase your stress level. If you find yourself feeling stressed, before you think about self-medicating, you should reach out to a friend, family member, a counselor, or go to a meeting. Just talking about your problems can significantly reduce your stress.
Let go of what you can’t control: One way to create unnecessary stress in your life is to cling to the way that things were before your addiction took over your life. This isn’t something you can change, and you need to let it go. Revisiting a time when things were going well will only make your stress worse. If you have trouble letting go, it is something that you should discuss with a therapist.
Addiction Treatment Centers and Stress
When you check yourself into an addiction treatment center, you can avoid the stressors that are out there waiting for you in the real world. Sure, the stressors will still be there when you get out, but by then, you will be stronger, and you will have been clean longer.
While in treatment, you will have one-on-one therapy, where you can get to the root of your issues. When you are getting the help you need, it can reduce your stress. This isn’t something that you can get if you try to quit cold turkey.
If you are struggling with addiction, you should consider checking into Soba Mesa, a drug and alcohol treatment program in Mesa, Arizona. We offer a detox program to help get the drugs and alcohol out of your system safely and as comfortably as possible.
When you have completed detox, you will move onto the residential program. We provide modern therapies such as one-on-one therapy, group therapy, and family therapy. These are all essential when you are in recovery.
When it is time to check out, your treatment isn’t over. To maintain your sobriety when you leave, we will help you set up your aftercare services. A few essential aftercare services include a room at a sober living facility, outpatient therapy, and 12-step meetings. We will make sure that you have all of the necessary tools to maintain your sobriety after you are released.
One of the biggest challenges that people are going to face on this journey is figuring out how to have fun. Let’s face it: drugs and alcohol are often used at parties to facilitate fun. The good news is that there are plenty of other ways to have fun in sobriety.
