The most important step to staying sober is a desire to be sober. That may sound obvious, but too often people try to deceive themselves into believing that they are ready to give up their addictions when, in fact, they are not. When you find within yourself a strong desire to be sober, then you will be prepared to go through the challenging process of staying sober.
Don't Use
The most obvious thing that you must do to stay sober is to not use. This may sound like a stupid statement, but when you are fighting a serious addiction, your mind will tell you all sorts of lies in order to get its fix. If you have ever been an addict and want to stay sober, then there is never an excuse to use, no matter what happens, or what excuses your mind can come up with.
Find a Partner in Recovery
Staying sober can be a difficult process that no one should attempt alone. Find someone who understands what you are going through, preferably someone who has dealt with an addiction similar to your own. This person will be able to support you in tough times, keep you accountable and help point out to you where you may not be seeing things clearly. A support system is essential to staying sober.
Serve Others
It can be hard for people who are struggling with addiction to focus on something other than their addiction, but forcing yourself to go out of your way to serve and help others in need is one of the best ways to stay sober. Addicts relapse when they become stuck in their own minds and habits. Selfless service is an easy way to free yourself of your negative feelings for a while. The good feelings that you get from helping someone will go a long way toward easing your own suffering. Try to find someone worse off than yourself to shed some perspective on your own struggles.
Exercise Regularly
The fastest way to cleanse yourself of internal negativity that often accompanies the recovery process is to transmute those feelings with rigorous exercise. The release of endorphins can help to ease cravings and to make you feel better physically, which in turn improves your self-esteem and willpower. Any form of exercise can work. If you can't get to a gym, go for a run in the park or a long walk on the beach, or climb a long flight of stairs as fast as you can. Simple exercises are just as effective as weight training or organized sports.
Eat Healthy and Rest
Addicts in recovery go through a period of time when their immune system becomes extremely compromised as their body adjusts to sobriety. It is extremely important during this period of time to eat balanced meals at the proper times and to get plenty of rest. Many recovering addicts need extra sleep, and that's fine; allow yourself as much sleep as your body needs. As your body regains a new equilibrium, your sleep demands will normalize as well.
