Strategies to Stay Clean from Drugs and Alcohol

Most everyone who has had too much to drink has woken up the next day with a headache and hangover and told themselves they weren’t going to do that again. Or maybe someone makes a mistake or has a lapse in judgment and gets a DUI after a night of drinking. They tell themselves they are going to stop, and maybe they do stop. But then maybe they drink or use again after a day or two, or after a few weeks, and again they are waking up with a hangover, or driving under the influence. Again, stopping is the easy part, staying stopped is where it matters.

Strategies to Prevent Relapse

There are strategies one can use to prevent relapse and “stay stopped.” The most effective strategy to prevent relapse is to stay in active recovery. Active recovery means getting and using a sponsor, actively working the 12 Steps, going to sober support meetings, hanging out with clean and sober people, developing and utilizing ones spirituality, and being of service to others. What that looks like on a daily basis is different for most people. But when a recovering alcoholic or addict stays in active recovery, they are much less likely to relapse.

Utilize a Sponsor

Relapse often happens when the person with a substance use disorder isn’t taking care of themselves and their emotional/spiritual health. They may get increasingly restless, irritable, or discontent. Having and using a sponsor is a good way to prevent relapse as it is an outside observer of one’s behavior. A sponsor can often tell that the recovering alcoholic is upset even before they notice themselves. Having someone you trust and has been through what you’re going through to bounce ideas and situations off of is very important. Sponsors are mentors, guides, lifelines, and often times an accountability partner.

Attend Support Meetings

Attendance and participation in sober support meetings is also a great relapse prevention strategy. 12 Step meetings can be an outlet for strong feelings that have built up throughout the day. Having a support system in place during hard times is vital to long term recovery. Not only are there fellow people in recovery in attendance to help the newly sober alcoholic, but that newly sober alcoholic may have the opportunity to help a person brand new to recovery. Helping a newcomer and being a service to others increases natural endorphins and other hormones which improve one’s mood.

Surround Yourself with Sober People

Hanging out with clean and sober people helps prevent relapse as it decreases the exposure to drug using peers. Peer groups are major influences on most people so when the people we hang out with are using or drinking, it is very difficult to abstain for long in those environments. On the other hand, when we spend time with other people in active recovery the benefits are mutual and the sober behaviors are positively reinforced.

Reach Out for Help

Relapse prevention does not have to be that complicated. Staying in active recovery, surrounding yourself with positive sober support, and improving yourself and your communication skills. These are all good starting points to prevent a relapse of alcohol and drug abuse. For those struggling with alcohol and drugs stopping may be the easy part. STAYING stopped is often the most difficult part of sobriety for an alcoholic or addict. Utilizing relapse prevention strategies like these can help.

If you or a loved one needs help getting or staying sober, please contact Bay Area Recovery Center today!