Sober life meaning
What is Sober Living? | Turnbridge
What is Sober Living?
Sober living means maintaining a drug- and alcohol-free lifestyle. It involves a daily commitment to yourself, to abstinence, and to self-care. While detox is the first step, sober living goes well-beyond just stopping the substance use. Sober living requires a person to change their attitudes and actions – transforming bad habits into positive, healthy behaviors.
How do you do this? To reach a state of sober living, you must first dig deep within yourself and understand the root of your substance use. You must find your truth – why you started using and why you continue to, despite the negative consequences. From there, you will discover what needs to change. And this will put you on the path to a successful, sober life.
As you might imagine, sober living is not always easy. It takes time, patience, dedication, and constant check-ins with yourself: Are you taking care of your health (mind and body)? Are you getting support when you need it? Are you doing things that make you happy? Sober living also requires a lot of outside support. Recovery is not something you should ever tackle alone. Close friends, family members, counselors, mentors, and support groups will be some of your greatest assets in maintaining a sober life.
What Does Sober Living Look Like?
When you are living sober, you are more aware of yourself – your emotions, interests, desires, and triggers. You know what you need to be happy and abstinent, as well as what to do when the hard days hit. Recovery is a marathon, and there will be obstacles along the way. When living sober, you will know what your “triggers” are and how to cope when they arise. You will also have a better idea of the people you want in your life, and those you need to step back from. This will allow you to surround yourself with healthy relationships and avoid the toxic ones.
When living sober, you will attract many other sober and like-minded friends (in treatment and beyond). You may repair bridges that were once “burned” by your addiction. You will also have a greater sense of accountability in relationships and in life. You will have goals, maybe a career, and other responsibilities that keep you going. You will become more independent. You will become a stronger and healthier person. You will enjoy more of the little things in life, and you will remember them. These are just some of the many benefits of sobriety.
Living Sober vs. Getting Sober
Living sober is different than “getting sober.” As noted above, sober living goes beyond the detox phase. While removing substances from your body is an important part of the recovery process, it is only the first step. Living a sober life requires you to:
- Fully commit to yourself and your health
- Face your demons (i.e. root of your drug abuse)
- Find the courage to change your life
- Trust others in the recovery community
- Transform negative outlooks into positive ones
- Replace drug-using behaviors with healthy habits
So, after detox treatment, it’s important to find a longer-term program that teaches you the skills to truly live sober. (A long-term drug treatment program of at least 90 days is recommended by the National Institute on Drug Abuse.) This type of treatment will provide you with the counseling, therapies, and resources to succeed. Not only will you get to the root of your drug abuse, you will also learn how to cope with it. You will learn how to handle difficult drug cravings, tough emotions, and toxic relationships as they come and go.
A residential treatment program is also a keystone to sober living. In residential substance use treatment, you will be provided a safe and sober place to heal, away from outside temptations. In addition, you will establish the life skills needed to live independently, when it comes time for living sober on your own.
What are Sober Living Homes?
Much like it sounds, a sober living home is a substance-free residency for people in early recovery. Typically, sober living homes are designed to bridge the gap between treatment/rehab and the “real world.” They provide residents a safe space to live independently, away from drug-using peers, while they get back on their feet in the community (finding a job, attending school, etc. ). As a result, sober living homes are often called “halfway houses” or “transitional homes.”
There are several types of sober living homes available. Some are owned by private organizations, and some are run by drug treatment professionals. Some have highly-structured house rules, while others are more flexible and social in nature. If you are seeking professional treatment, you may find structured sober housing as an extension of your rehab program.
For example, Turnbridge enacts a three-phase reintegration program, in which residents progress through the stages of treatment and establish more independence with each. In the final phrase of their treatment, they are able to live independently in the community, with other sober residents, but still have close access to our facilities and resources, including 12-step meetings, counseling sessions, and clinical care.
Sober living is a lifelong journey, that takes time and dedication. It is also one that will enrich your life for as long as you stick to it. To learn how to start your sober life, or to learn about our sober living programs at Turnbridge, please do not hesitate to reach out. Call 877-581-1793 to learn more.
Finding the Meaning to The Sober Life
Through today’s blog, discover what sober life means to you and what things in life hold significant meaning. Doing so can give you the purpose and renewed passion you need to succeed and maintain long-term healing from substance use disorders.
For many people, life can be challenging enough as it is. However, individuals who live with an addiction to drug and alcohol use who proceed to enter treatment may feel that the world they return to after treatment is formulaic and fragile, and they may end up feeling lost. While remaining sober may be their goal, where is the meaning in their sober lifestyle?
Some people may feel like they can’t navigate their daily activities or responsibilities without the familiar effects of their choice substances. Although you may always feel the pull of these temptations, meditating on your reasons for choosing a sober lifestyle will help ground you in your commitment and latch onto something bigger than yourself that you can hold onto.
What are the steps to live a sober lifestyle?
- Discover the things in life that matter to you
- Define sobriety in terms that are meaningful to you
- Identify the reasons you want to be sober
- Understand why having purpose can matter so much in sobriety
Discover the Things in Life That Matter to You
When committing to any critical lifestyle and behavior change, such as ceasing substance use or participating in addiction treatment, it’s essential to understand why such drastic measures are needed and what impact they will have on your life. Knowing who you’ll be before and after the change is a big enough unknown that can hold you back from fully committing to the process.
Taking the time to identify people and things that matter to you can help you determine why you want to get and remain sober. For example, suppose you’re passionate about your family, friends, faith group or the work you do in school or on the job. Or perhaps, you want to give back or contribute any talents, gifts and abilities you have to your community. In such cases, you may want to get treatment and maintain sobriety because your substances of choice interfere with these relationships and responsibilities.
Define Sobriety in Terms That Are Meaningful to You
In general, the term “sobriety” refers to the condition of not being intoxicated. While a general idea of what sobriety is may exist, it can mean different things to different people. For some people, being sober may mean not experiencing any measurable effects of drugs or alcohol. To others, it could mean more than just avoiding using recreational or prescription drugs or drinking alcohol, but achieving good mental health.
Define sobriety in a way that makes the approach you take to healing from substance abuse as realistic and practical as possible. Ultimately, determining what sobriety means to you can shape how you respond to the idea of living a sober life and the amount of work and dedication you put into achieving and maintaining recovery and healing.
Identify the Reasons You Want to Be Sober
Just as your definition of sobriety and idea of a sober life can differ from other people’s, your reasons for wanting to live substance-free may vary, too. Any person dealing with drug or alcohol dependency or addiction should develop a personal list of reasons why staying sober is a worthy goal. This list can help you put in perspective what you find so valuable that it’s worth the dedication, hard work and effort you put into ceasing alcohol consumption and walking away from drug use.
You may want to achieve sobriety long-term because:
- You think living substance-free can help you look good and feel good physically and mentally
- Sobriety can help you eat, sleep, and think better
- You’ll feel better about yourself and enjoy enhanced self-esteem
- Cravings and body aches caused by a need for substances are too painful to deal with again
- Being substance-free can restore relationships with your loved ones once ruined by drug or alcohol use
Without taking the time to consider why you want to pursue sobriety, you may decide not to begin at all. However, identifying such reasons to be sober and anticipating an improved life quality and enhanced interpersonal relationships can help you stay motivated to work hard during treatment and recovery.
Understand Why Having Purpose Can Matter So Much in Sobriety
Substance abuse and addiction can result from several factors and have many causes. Common reasons people start using drugs or alcohol include:
- Peer pressure
- Curiosity
- A desire to feel good or “get high.”
- A want to stop feeling bad or lose one’s inhibitions
- Attempts to perform better at work or school
In many cases, a person may use drugs or alcohol because they feel aimless or have misplaced aims. Frequent and prolonged substance abuse can slowly dismantle an individual’s life and the hopes they have for their future. The purpose they once had in life seemingly gets lost and contributes to deep anxiety or depression.
Working toward sobriety through participating in detox and addiction treatment programs gives individuals the opportunity to pick up a new purpose for their lives and continue their efforts and stay sober. Finding the purpose in your life and the meaning of a sober life enables you to establish a clear context for your day-to-day. Individuals can persevere through hardship and resiliently endure challenges if they have a sense of purpose because purpose reminds them why fighting for sobriety is worth it. Individuals in recovery can learn to ignore temptations and stay focused on living an improved, more meaningful life by pushing forward each day.
Purpose has a way of allowing individuals to be accountable to themselves and others and responsible for their thoughts and behaviors. It can encourage people to work hard for and pursue success as they define it.
Finding Value in Sobriety Can Help You Stay in Tune With Your Recovery Efforts
Participating in a treatment program at a treatment and counseling center like Washburn House equips you with information and healthy coping mechanisms that allow you to handle daily stressors or more intense anxiety or depression without turning to addictive substances. When you feel sobriety means having a chance to enjoy an improved, healthier and more fulfilling life, you’re more likely to do everything you can to keep up with the practices you learned in treatment.
You may reflect and ask yourself if you’re staying in tune with the replenished version of yourself that no longer needs or craves substances to make it through the day or if you’ve been overindulging with replacements like food, sex or television. Additionally, you may ask yourself if you’ve been staying in touch with your loved ones, mental health professionals, or peers from group sessions, who can support you and keep you accountable, or if you’ve become disengaged in your progress.
Finding meaning and value in sobriety and staying in tune with yourself and your progress can help you be present in your emotions and thoroughly process and release the pain you may feel. Healing with such awareness can help empower your recovery. Likewise, feeling supported and loved can help you be more likely to stay committed and avoid behaviors that could compromise relationships that mean a lot to you. Staying immersed in connections you forged during treatment can keep you motivated, present, and invested in a successful, substance-free future.
Allow Your Goals for Sober Living to Direct Conversations About Your Recovery
If you think a substance-free life will mean feeling better, thinking clearer, having higher self-esteem and communicating more effectively, be honest and deliberate in practicing behaviors and thinking in ways that align with these outcomes. Just as addiction treatment requires you to confront the reality of your situation, working toward sobriety after completing professionally guided treatment requires you to take a good look at the ways you express yourself and the boundaries you set to protect your recovery.
Ask yourself if you stay silent even when you don’t want to, or you speak up when you’re comfortable doing so. Think about if the things you say represent what you truly feel and want. Likewise, observe if you use hard words with others to prevent vulnerability or protect yourself. Ultimately, honest communication can keep you in tune with yourself, your feelings, and your recovery progress. If your words match your actions and feelings, you can stay in alignment with your recovery and sobriety goals.
Achieve the Sober Life at Washburn House
Being comfortable with communicating can empower you to reach out and seek guidance and assistance from your peers, support system, and addiction treatment specialists, and mental health professionals.
The experts at Washburn House understand that your ideas of what’s essential in life and what sober living means to you can differ from others’ ideas. The therapists, clinicians, and specialists at this center know that a one-size-fits-all approach to treatment is ineffective and can’t reach clients as individuals. Professionals at this center implement research-based and holistic, individualized treatment programs, including:
- Medically monitored detox
- Inpatient rehab
- Intensive outpatient rehab
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy
- Group therapy
- Yoga therapy
Calling Washburn House at 844. 929.2737 is the first step to receiving the thorough, judgment-free treatment and care you need to overcome substance abuse and live the healthier, more fulfilling, meaningful life you strive for and deserve.
Sobriety is the choice of the strong
T SPEED is the natural and creative state of a person, family, society - the basis of personal development. She is a great value given to a person from birth!
SOBRIETY is a conscious rejection of any intoxicating substances: alcohol, tobacco, other psychoactive substances.
In a broad sense, sobriety is understood as the rationality and spirituality of life position. Sobriety is the achievement and maintenance of general control and balance in life, freedom from painful addictions. Sober means alert, strong, conscious, purposeful.
Sobriety is the most important basis for a healthy life, it preserves the physical and mental health of a person, a high intellectual level, and good relations in the family.
Over the past 100 years, world medical thought has created Theory of Sobriety , which is commonly called SOBRIOLOGY - the science of ways to sober up a person and society. We know little about it, as it is often hushed up, ignored. In their research, such leading scientists as I.M. Sechenov, V.M. Bekhterev and others proved that even the most minimal level of alcohol consumption leads to the degradation of the people.
Alcohol, radioactive particles of tobacco smoke (polonium-210, lead-210, radium-226, thorium-228 and potassium-40) cause numerous genetic breakdowns - mutations, congenital diseases and deformities. As a result, the proportion of hereditary changes increases from generation to generation. This destroys the integral human genotype, adjusted over millions of years of natural selection. Mutations activate the decrease in the birth rate, the health potential of the people and the possibility of its intelligence.
The widespread use of alcohol and tobacco in the 20th century in Russia significantly reduced the level of health and intelligence of a large part of the population. Therefore, it is so important for people to realize the need for Sober lifestyle as a great value for themselves and the whole society.
Principle of the European Charter on Alcohol, adopted by the delegations of all European states, reads as follows:
“All people who do not wish to drink alcohol or who are unable to do so for reasons of opinion or health have the right to be protected from pressure and coercion to drink and to have their sobriety supported.”
The Theory of Sobriety encourages both the adult and the younger generations, and in particular young people, to consciously switch to a sober lifestyle. This means that healthy young families that will raise healthy children will enter adulthood.
Adherence to a sober lifestyle enables a person to maintain his natural strength, health, allows you to save and significantly increase the internal reserves of the body, give birth and raise healthy children.
From birth, a child has natural barriers to alcohol and tobacco use. Thus, under the age of 7, all children (92%) have a negative attitude towards cigarettes and alcohol.
An exception may be "nicotine" and "alcoholic children", children with certain psychosomatic disorders.
Raising in an environment of "open" smoking and drinking parents also contributes to the breakdown of the biological protective barrier. Children become defenseless against the effects of tobacco and alcohol poisons.
Every person is born sober. The family plays a major role in maintaining the innate sobriety of children. For this, it is necessary that Sobriety become a habitual way of life for every family. Of course, we ourselves can do a lot to promote Sobriety. The best place to start is with yourself, giving up substances that artificially stimulate the body and adopting a family sober lifestyle .
A sober lifestyle is a way to meet your needs in healthy ways, without the use of doping.
These days, SOBRIETY is becoming more and more fashionable and popular.
“The sobriety of the people, as in a mirror, was reflected in the army. The Russian army has always differed in this matter from other armies of the world. Such commanders as Suvorov, Skobelev, Brusilov very strictly adhered to sobriety in the army. As a result, the Russian army was distinguished by high discipline and "the ability to win," as Suvorov wrote. Sober warriors, returning home, carried high morality and nobility to families, to the people.
Russian surgeon, academician of the Academy of Medical Sciences — Fedor Uglov
“I deliberately do not drink alcohol, because my personal example of sobriety is the least I can do for my children and my people” Four-time world champion, wrestler, Russian athlete - Fedor Emelianenko.
About a third of young people today choose SOBRIETY. They expect this choice both from their parents and from everyone who lives next to them in their country.
What is the meaning of a sober life?
#1
2021, 10:15
#4
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#9000
#10
Amaterasu-Hatshepsut
Today my sober life began, author. To begin with, I will clean the apartment, because I have dirt everywhere, and it has also dried up on the floor.))))) The dust is there, that's all. Then I’ll wash the linen, because I slept these days only on one sheet - everything else was over, and I didn’t have the strength to wash things. Even in the machine. Then I will plan all my work tasks and complete them, which means I will earn money. Then I can finally think more or less, which means I will solve all the other global problems. Then, finally, I will be able to do English, exercise, etc. every day again. With a drunken lifestyle, it’s impossible to keep up such a pace, and don’t even tell me.)
#11
Guest
in binge or something?)
9009
#12 9000
#13
#14
Guest
It is sober and interesting to
#15
AmateraS -Hatshepsut
Today my sober life began, author. To begin with, I will clean the apartment, because I have dirt everywhere, and it has also dried up on the floor.))))) The dust is there, that's all. Then I’ll wash the linen, because I slept these days only on one sheet - everything else was over, and I didn’t have the strength to wash things. Even in the machine. Then I will plan all my work tasks and complete them, which means I will earn money. Then I can finally think more or less, which means I will solve all the other global problems. Then, finally, I will be able to do English, exercise, etc. every day again. With a drunken lifestyle, it’s impossible to keep up such a pace, and don’t even tell me.)
#16
Amaterasu-Hatshepsut
Today my sober life began, author. To begin with, I will clean the apartment, because I have dirt everywhere, and it has also dried up on the floor.))))) The dust is there, that's all. Then I’ll wash the linen, because I slept these days only on one sheet - everything else was over, and I didn’t have the strength to wash things. Even in the machine. Then I will plan all my work tasks and complete them, which means I will earn money. Then I can finally think more or less, which means I will solve all the other global problems. Then, finally, I will be able to do English, exercise, etc. every day again. With a drunken lifestyle, it’s impossible to keep up such a pace, and don’t even tell me.)
#17
Canal
Panties do not forget to sweep away, or at least turn the yellow spot back, and brown ahead
#18
Vasilisa
Drunkards simply cannot imagine how it is to live in such a way that they never drink, after all, friends are also all drunkards, women and the world without booze are not interesting to drunkards, unlike others.
#19
Narcologist Pokhmelov A.G.
Well, what is the result? What is it all for? What will you come to?
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#21
Narcologist Pomelov Argologist.
Are you 7 years old?
#22
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#23
Amaterasu-Hatshepsut
No, I'm not addicted to alcohol. ) But it happens from nicotine.)) It's good that I don't drink, I think at such moments. 😄
#24
Guest
So, I didn't understand something... Does smoking cigarettes affect you the way you described?? Yes Consider it like a binge, only nicotine.)
#26
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The man immediately warned that all property was recorded in children
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#27
Amaterasu-Hatshepsut
I don't even notice these cigarettes.) Like water.)))
#30
Guest
Well, like smart Masha, I googled "nicotine binge"))) I didn't find anything specific...🤷♀️ This, it turns out, is not just smoking, but something like a disorder ? Amaterasu-Hatshepsut minimal mode to cope with stress. I can't deal with stress any other way. There is no desire to rush at people, fight or spoil other people's property either. Sports at such moments are also not needed. I don't cry and I don't feel sorry for myself. How else can I deal with stress?
#32
Narcologist Pokhmelov A.G.
You misunderstood me. I say what will you come to if you completely stop drinking? Why work then? What is the reward, where is the sweetie for the work?
Therefore, alcohol can only be replaced by other substances. And the human brain is so arranged that doping is needed, humanity has used something throughout its history, is using and will continue to use. Zozhniki - this is a mutation, a deviation from evolution, all the same, they eventually come to a standstill.
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#34
Amaterasu-Khatshepsut
So you read carefully, I do not drink, for the start. Something you fig special. I worry about my smoking because I destroy my body. I apologize to him and still smoke. Perhaps my way is to come to a specialist and speak out, because. it is very difficult for me to speak out, and even more so for some specialist.) True, it will cost me 100 times more than cigarettes if I come every day and speak for 3 hours, but you can try.)
#35
Amaterasu-Hatshepsut
Today my sober life began, author. To begin with, I will clean the apartment, because I have dirt everywhere, and it has also dried up on the floor.))))) The dust is there, that's all. Then I’ll wash the linen, because I slept these days only on one sheet - everything else was over, and I didn’t have the strength to wash things. Even in the machine. Then I will plan all my work tasks and complete them, which means I will earn money. Then I can finally think more or less, which means I will solve all the other global problems. Then, finally, I will be able to do English, exercise, etc. every day again. With a drunken lifestyle, it’s impossible to keep up such a pace, and don’t even tell me.)
#36
How should we understand you? Women often suffer from logic.
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9
Narcologist Pokhmelov A.G.
Well, what is the result? What is it all for? What will you come to?
#39
Narcologist Pokhmelov A. G.
Most of the planet are drunks and you are a small sect of teetotalers, you enter this sober trance of yours and tell others how good it is for you that the Lord has directed you to the true path or something like that.
#40
Canaglia
It was fashionable to drink in the post-war period, when there were no other entertainments.
In our time, you can find a hobby and friends of interest. Another thing is that for this you need to have an income above the subsistence level and work on yourself.
The easiest way to get drunk and dissolve the snot. A person is constantly in a state of stress, and what, now you can’t get out of kumatosis?
#41
Narcologist Pokhmelov A.G.
You misunderstood me. I say what will you come to if you completely stop drinking? Why work then? What is the reward, where is the sweetie for the work?
Therefore, alcohol can only be replaced by other substances. And the human brain is so arranged that doping is needed, humanity has used something throughout its history, is using and will continue to use. Zozhniki - this is a mutation, a deviation from evolution, all the same, they eventually come to a standstill.
#42
Narcologist Pokhmelov A.G.
And why are you writing about smoking here, here about booze. In addition, the harm of smoking has not been scientifically proven.
#43
Guest
pff. allow for an autopsy of a smoker, evidence is not needed)))
#45
Narcologist Pokhmelov A. G.
This is a myth and a horror story
#46
Narcologist Pokhmelov A.G.
This is a myth and a horror story
Attention
#47
Narcologist Pokhmelov A.G.
Have you been to civilized countries? There on weekends everything is in ***. And if you take Switzerland, everything is with a fumes all week.
And only impoverished Russia gathered here to improve their life by quitting drinking. It's not about alcohol, a pig and sober remains a pig.
#48
Narcologist Pokhmelov A.G.
That is, if a person in the topic about alcohol writes that he started a sober life today, then he was drunk before.