Regaining Joy in Recovery: How To Be Happy Sober

Alcohol withdrawal is dangerous and it’s important to be careful throughout the process. Acknowledging and celebrating the hard work of recovery is helpful for keeping you motivated and reminding you why you took this brave step toward sobriety in the first place. Instead, focus on things, experiences, and activities that will support your new, healthy lifestyle. Attempting to drink alcohol after achieving sobriety can be a dangerous path. While some may believe they can return to social drinking without consequences, the reality is that alcohol abuse and alcohol dependence can quickly spiral out of control for those with a history of alcohol use disorder. When recovering alcoholic starts drinking again, they may struggle to limit themselves to just a few drinks, putting their continuous sobriety and well-being at risk.

Find Balance in Your Life

This is often obvious to the people in the individual’s life who support him or her the most in recovery. A sponsor or other member of a support group may notice that their How to Avoid Drinking Again After Sobriety friend has made excuses for not attending meetings. The 12-step programs emphasize the importance of showing up, being present, and holding one another accountable.

Lifestyle Changes for Long-Term Sobriety

• Growing up, she witnessed her parents struggle with alcoholism and hated it.
• She goes on to explain that while the craving might be intense, it will lessen and pass in a few minutes.
• Aftercare can consist of sober living houses, 12-step programs and ongoing therapy.
• Depending on the severity of the dependency, post-acute withdrawal symptoms (PAWS) can continue for weeks, months, or longer following unhealthy substance use.

If it’s too hard to control how much you drink each day, weaning might not be the right strategy. That said, there are now several medications that can help reduce your cravings and make weaning off alcohol easier. If these emotions become excessive, they can hold you back from recovery.

Success Stories: Inspiration from Those Who Have Quit Drinking After 20 Years

As mentioned above, we strongly recommend speaking with a doctor to ensure your plan is a safe one, and won’t cause dangerous withdrawal symptoms. The best way forward for your recovery from alcohol or substance use is to incorporate a wide variety of strategies that will help foster success. Remember to care for yourself, seek supportive relationships, and consider seeking help from a therapist. You may also experience what is commonly called sobriety fatigue, which refers to the overall exhaustion that may occur as a result of the emotional and physical stress of staying sober. So, it’s extra helpful to have a support network available to you when you need it. The more strategies you learn to identify triggers, cope with stress, and manage your new sober life, the easier it is to prevent relapse.

In the final stages, individuals may experience withdrawal symptoms when not drinking, indicating physical dependence. Drugs and alcohol essentially “hijack” the reward and pleasure centers of the brain. This makes other activities feel less rewarding, while generating strong cravings for the substance. Alcohol also disrupts natural chemicals that regulate feelings of depression and anxiety, making it more likely you will experience these symptoms when not drinking. Many people continue to drink precisely because it becomes so hard to feel good without doing so.

Cravings and alcohol use disorder

Remember, it’s never too late to quit drinking and transform your life. With determination, support, and a willingness to change, you can achieve long-term sobriety and start living the healthy, fulfilling life you deserve. The health improvements experienced by those who quit drinking after 20 years are truly remarkable. From weight loss to improved liver function and better mental health, the benefits of quitting alcohol are vast. Joining support groups, such as Alcoholics Anonymous, can be incredibly beneficial during your journey to quit drinking after 20 years. Support groups provide a safe and supportive environment for individuals in recovery to share their experiences and learn from one another.

• Cold turkey is a common slang term for quitting alcohol (or any substance) all at once.
• This section explores the concept of controlled drinking, the arguments for and against it, and the factors that may influence its feasibility for individuals with a history of alcoholism.
• When not drinking, you might begin to notice feelings of anxiety or other emotional distress, along with strong cravings for alcohol.
• It’s natural to want someone you care about to stop drinking so heavily.
• With time, patience, and the right support, you can overcome these emotional challenges and emerge stronger and more resilient than ever before.
• While it can feel upsetting to struggle with joy in recovery, there’s no real pressure to progress at any particular pace.

The Benefits of a Sober Life

• It is a good idea to stock up on alcohol-free alternatives for any social events where cravings for alcohol might be triggered.
• There are steps you can take if you want to learn how to stop drinking, no matter how long you have been struggling with an alcohol problem.
• If you’ve ever tried to break any habit, you probably know it’s often easier said than done.
• Enter into the situation with a positive attitude, and make the best of your time, even if you’re the only one not drinking.
• Such preventive techniques may include applying better stress management tools or not putting yourself in situations that may trigger cravings.

Abstinence vs. Moderation: Which Path is Right?

How Can Thoughts & Cravings for Alcohol Lead to a Relapse?