Top Five Recommendations For Starting Sobriety
So you want to get sober - congratulations! It takes significant courage to reflect on your relationship with substances and determine that you want to make a change. You may have arrived at this place of openness and willingness but don’t know what to do next. I hope this post helps. Below are my top five tips for getting started on a sobriety journey.
Medical attention. If you are getting off of substances such as alcohol or benzodiazepines (anxiety medications such as Xanax, Ativan, Valium and others) the withdrawal can be lethal. It is critical that you consult your doctor and be honest about the frequency and quantity of your use so that they can advise you on whether a medical detox is necessary for your safety.
Activate your support system. Reach out to friends, family, people in your life with whom you can be honest. You don’t have share every dark detail, but letting people know that you would like to make a change around substances will help with accountability and support. If you do not feel you have anyone in this category, see number 4.
Get substances out of your possession. This is a critical step, but one that should not be done alone. Ask people from your support system to help you go through your home and anywhere that you may have stored substances. It is not advised to do this alone, as it can be very triggering. Ask for help disposing of the substances properly, this can include looking for a medication disposal drop off.
Plug in to a recovery community. Being a part of a recovery community is incredibly beneficial. This will connect you with people who have been through the journey that you are embarking on and who can share what worked for them and support you along the way. There are many options for support, a few include: 12 Step support (Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, Marijuana Anonymous, etc.), Dharma Recovery, Self Management And Recovery Training (SMART Recovery), LifeRing Secular Recovery, Secular Organizations for Sobriety (SOS), Celebrate Recovery or faith based support. Recovery is not one-size-fits-all. Explore some options and find what feels right for you.
Get connected to a therapist, relapse prevention specialist or coach. Putting down the substances is the first step in recovery. Once sober, many people find the support of a professional to be beneficial in helping them learn to cope with life without the use of substances. Please seek a professional with proper training and experience.
While these are just some starting suggestions, I hope they will help you begin your journey toward freedom from substances. Feel free to reach out if you would like more support.