Sobriety as a New Year’s Resolution

Ready to embrace sobriety as a New Year’s resolution? We’ve got 5 tips that will help

1. Share your sobriety resolution Don’t keep your decision to yourself – share your resolution to start the New Year sober with your loved ones and friends! This can be a bit scary, but it can really help you in your struggle to maintain sobriety over the coming year. You’ll gain the support of those around you and create a degree of accountability that can provide a powerful incentive to maintain your sobriety.

2. Develop a sober support network. Maintaining sobriety when you are around people who are using drugs and alcohol can be difficult, especially if they are the same people you regularly used with. When you develop a sober support network that is filled with people who are invested in your recovery success, your chances of sticking to your resolution increase significantly. Instead of having to resist the temptation offered by your peers, you will be surrounded by people who will reinforce the positive steps you make as you realize your goal of stopping your addiction in the New Year. Reach out to the contacts you’ve made in twelve step and other self- help groups, and call on your mentors and sponsors. You can join faith-based initiatives in your community, and contact family members who are supportive of your sobriety efforts.

3. Attend meetings. Attending twelve-step and self-help recovery group meetings can help you have the courage and determination to keep your sobriety resolution. You gain access to a dedicated community of peers who have been where you are and have experience dealing with the struggle to remain sober. Twelve-step and peer recovery groups are available every day of the year, so you can attend anytime you find you need an extra boost of sobriety support. 4. Volunteer Getting involved in helping others in your community can help you stick to your resolution to maintain sobriety in the New Year. Instead of focusing on your own needs and shortcomings, you become part of a community of hope, a positive move that will help you regain your self-esteem and feelings of self-worth as you help others rebuild their lives.

5. Don’t hesitate to ask for help If you fear that you’re going to break your sobriety resolution and start using alcohol or drugs again, don’t hesitate to seek help at an addiction treatment center. You certainly won’t be alone in entering treatment for alcohol abuse. An estimated 1.5 million adults and 679,000 adolescents received treatment for an alcohol use disorder at a specialized facility in 2014, according to a survey by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. There are a number of options that can help you regain control of your sobriety. If you are having a difficult time staying sober, entering an inpatient or outpatient addiction treatment program may be the best solution. If you just need some help managing the hassles of daily life without relapsing, residing in a sober living community may be the best environment to learn the skills you need for long term sobriety.

If you would like some help finding addiction treatment programs, or if you are looking for a sober living community that will help you maintain a sobriety resolution this year, BetterAddictionCare can help you in your search. Call (800) 429-7690 today to speak to someone about your options.