8 Ways to Fast Track to Easy Sobriety
If you’ve asked yourself “When does sobriety get easier?” chances are you’re in the early stages of sobriety.
You’re battling withdrawal, cravings and mood swings. Triggers pop up out of nowhere and everyone wants to know “Why aren’t you drinking?”
It feels like all you can do is white-knuckle your way through the hard days – which feel like every day. Throw in night sweats, headaches, digestive issues and sleep problems and yep, you’re faced with the truth: Early sobriety is hard.
Most people don’t get through enough time sober to realize that long-term sobriety looks and feels NOTHING like this. In long-term sobriety there are no cravings, you don’t notice your old “triggers” and you start to forget about alcohol altogether.
So when does sobriety get easier?
When do you find yourself in the ‘pink cloud’ of sobriety when you are feeling physically and emotionally fantastic? You are sleeping well, bouncing out of bed every morning and no longer have ANY cravings for alcohol?
Is there a way to fast-track the process? To help get through the hard bit so you don’t give up on your sobriety waiting to get to the other side?
Yes.
Here are 8 ways you can make the process easier and more manageable.
8 ways to make sobriety easier
1. Focus on what you are gaining.
Not what you are ‘missing’. You are gaining health, clarity, confidence, freedom, better skin, extra time and money. Most of all, you are gaining the feeling of putting yourself first. No more shame, hangxiety or guilt over alcohol.
2. Get dopamine and endorphin hits naturally.
That means exercise, time with friends, time outside. Get moving!
3. Flex that sober muscle.
Go out and do the things you would normally do when drinking. Every time you do that you flex your sober muscle. Go out for dinner with friends and order sparkling water. Go to a relative’s event and bring your own AF drinks. Go to a concert and be the designated driver. Keep proving to yourself you can flex your sober muscle and watch it get stronger and stronger.
4. Manage your stress.
Stress is the biggest trigger to drink. It’s derailing. What are your personal de-stressors? Go for a walk. Unload some work commitments when there’s too much on your plate. Ask for help with the kids. Commit to weekly yoga and daily meditation. Commit to stress management as part of your life. Don’t wait for life to fall apart. Manage stress every day.
5. Stay inspired.
Read quit lit, listen to sober podcasts, join an online community of people all on the same mission to change their relationship with alcohol. You can join my incredibly support online community The Women’s Wellbeing Collective on Facebook here. Stay informed, stay curious and stay inspired by the people who can help you along the way.
6. Have a goal or a hobby.
Use the time that used to be spent drinking or moping about hungover with a new goal or hobby. Many people pick a fitness goal (hello natural endorphins!) such as running. They’ll commit to the Couch To 5km program, for example. Others take up a creative hobby that lights them up inside. Ask yourself what did you like to do when you were young? Dance? Paint? Cook? Garden? Take on a new goal or hobby and throw yourself into it.
7. Keep a journal.
Start writing down all the things that light you up and bring you joy. When people first get sober they have no idea they’ll become a Morning Person - up at 6am to enjoy the sunrise. It can be surprising, so write down the moments of joy along the way. This will become the blueprint guide for your new, long-term sober life.
8. Understand the neuroscience behind why most of us will never be happy stopping at one drink.
As we move into sobriety we can start to think “I’m fine, I can have one, I’m okay now.” But the brain is wired to want more and more of the dopamine hit that alcohol brings. It’s almost impossible to stop at one. For many people moderation is much harder than sobriety.
Can sobriety actually be easy from the start?
Yes! You may be one of the rare and lucky ones who put down their last drink and from that day forward feel better and better. These people experience the ‘pink cloud’ of sobriety very early on. It’s a feeling of euphoria and elation. You feel constantly confident and excited about recovery. Some people feel this within days into sobriety, others experience it a few weeks in.
What’s the harm of the pink cloud? Does it make sobriety easier? Yes and no. It does give you optimism and hope. Just be aware it may quickly fade when you are faced with real-life challenges and stressors. It’s good to enjoy the pink cloud while ALSO preparing for triggers and moments of weakness and stress. Because life will throw you curveballs. It’s all about how you choose to handle them – with or without drinking.
Ps: If you’ve failed many attempts to quit drinking, don’t beat yourself up. It’s not easy! If you need help giving up alcohol, I’m always here to provide support. Book a FREE Discovery Call with me and let’s see if I can help.
Xx Sarah
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