courage2

A lot of people are struggling or just coming in. Now's a great time to post your thoughts about what works for you to stay clean & sober!

For me:

1. A regular routine on SR
   
   • When I was new, it was my class. I came in December 2012 and it's still my class -- there's a thread for people starting out in sobriety for December 2014 and I recommend it: http://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/newcomers-recovery/352232-class-december-2014-a.html
     
   • A gratitude thread. There's lots! The Gratitude List - SoberRecovery : Alcoholism Drug Addiction Help and Information
     
   • Care to commit to 24 Hours of sobriety every day? Try this thread! http://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/...part-27-a.html
2. People I could call on when I needed help or was feeling weak against the urge to drink or use. For me, it became AA. Others might have a family member, or someone in a different program, or someone from SR, or a sober friend or churchmember. Most of us need at least one someone.
   
3. Sympathy for yourself. You're going to feel like crap for a while. Give yourself some comfort. Pretend you're recovering from a long illness -- you are!
   
4. And always, ice cream!

What works for you?

Soberwolf

Acceptance & all my friends at SR

OklaBH

Prayer and give yourself some slack! It takes time

Kochanie

Thinking about how much better my life will be when I've kicked this. The pretty clothes, the weight I'll lose and my beautiful boyfriend happy. That's all I want.

Thepatman

Ice cream, ho yes!

Fly N Buy

Daily prayer and meditation - highly encourage a spiritual development path however each person defines that for themselves. The journey for me is inward while getting out of myself. I suppose it's an oxymoron - surrender to win.

Strong ties with SR - the friendships, humor and support for our common problem.
I also enjoying the fellowship and f2f support of a program fostering emotional sobriety.


And

Ice Cream!!!!!
Great thread Courage - as always, friend !

mfanch

1. Get PLAN.
2. Follow PLAN. Everyday. Without fail.

Each plan is different. Mine is posted on SR somewhere. I'm on 5 years following my plan and it works every day. :-)

For me, failing to plan is a plan to fail.

Mark1014

I'll echo all of the above and add that for those with an interest, working out can really help. For me it's mostly weights, but I would think any routine exercise to be beneficial. The physical benefits are nice, but it's also a really good mood booster for me every morning. It jump starts my day with a good attitude that lingers for some time.

Altoids

Giving myself a break. I was really beating myself up, so being kind to myself was a big deal.

least

The biggest thing that keeps me sober is knowing that my dogs and cats are being taken care of properly. When I was drinking they didn't get the care they deserved. Now that I'm sober they are in good health and very happy.

Kensho

For last three weeks, AA meeting every day. I hang out on here. I read and meditate. I try to keep things going that interest me every day. I’m starting to exercise more (which is not a lot, though).

Frixion

I am only on Day 5 of my sobriety, but so far the things that have helped is opening up to the ppl on SR, AA, and some of my closest loved ones. Now I have people to talk to I can ask for advice, or vent, or just have a little conversation and this has made a massive difference in my quality of life. As my quality of life has been getting better, my AV has been getting quieter. Oh and I should add that physical exercise has been seriously helping with my anxiety - has been a major aspect of my recovery.

silentrun

1. Lots and lots of SR
2. Sugar can help a crave
3. Music
4. The mindset that no matter what drinking is just not an option
5. Working one little piece of the puzzle at a time
6. Play the tape through
7. Believing that the trauma of sobering up is temporary

bunnezjp

How to stay Sober. DON'T DRINK.

Bunnez

Kaneda8888

This.

It took me a few months to figure out a plan that worked for me. Then I stick to it like glue. There are some aspects that have reduced in intensity but I still adhere to each element to some degree. And I figure all plans need support.

Oh and ice cream & chocolate was crucial in the early months

DrakeCKC

Stay Connected.. meetings, SR, sponsor, pastor... whoever is with you in this journey.
If you fall... get up and try again.
Don't beat yourself up if you do slip or relapse, learn from it and try again.
Do not be afraid to ask for help.

Lance40

1. Posting and reading on SR.
2. Chocolate cake!
3. AA meetings.
4. Having a sponsor.
5. Having a plan and following it.
6. Avoid bars, nightclubs and activities centred around drinking.
7. Getting in touch with SR or my sponsor if I have cravings to drink.
8. Changing my route home from work so I don't walk by a liquor store.
9. Making a list of all the bad things that went along with my drinking and reviewing it at least a couple of times a week.
10. Be completely honest (AA, SR, sponsor, etc) with how it's going - good or bad.

soberclover

What helped me stay sober in the earlier part of the journey was to keep the hope alive that things really would get better. It didn't feel like it sometimes when I was sad, or lonely, or bored, or frustrated...but the reality was that each day I was able to stay sober it got better. Lots of self-care like eating healthy food and lots of rest helped. People may laugh about the ice cream connection but it really is true....ice cream always helps

Ultramarathoner

(1) Recognize being alcohol free is a choice, not a punishment. Avoid framing the decision negatively ("I can't!").

(2) Commit to someone other than yourself (increases accountability).

(3) Embrace "Forever" as soon as comfortable.

Mountainmanbob

the simple one that comes to mind first would be
if we are out somewhere and ones are drinking
and we feel uncomfortable
take a walk outside for some fresh air
I have noticed that no one misses me
and it gives me time to get my sober thoughts straight

plus
keep the plug in the jug

MM