How to Get the Most Out of a Sober Life

When an individual leaves rehab, it can be difficult to re-learn how to lead a fulfilling, sober life. If you or a loved one is in this situation, the list below can help give you some direction in how to get the most out of your new life!

1. Plan Not sure what the next step is? Perhaps you should give some thought to your short-term and long-term goals – write out a plan. Having a “destination” in mind is a good way to keep moving forward instead of being tempted to return to the past. It can also help to keep you accountable by regularly evaluating how much closer you are to accomplishing your goals.

2. Learn From swing dancing to photography to karate to politics to how to design video game software, you have the opportunity to learn about anything that interests you! Get a book from the library, take a class at your community college, or even go back to school to get a degree!

3. Practice Find something that you really like or are good at? Practicing your new skill will bring you closer to mastering it, which can bring a sense of pride at your accomplishments! You will likely develop friendships with others who have similar interests, and this is a great way to find and cultivate a new social community. The more you know, the more you can teach and be an inspiration to others, some of whom may be struggling with past issues that are similar to yours.

4. Be Creative The course of addiction has likely produced some highly emotional memories. Finding a creative outlet like painting, sculpture, music, film, dance, or photography can be helpful for self-expression. If you aren’t particularly inclined to artistic things, try inventing something! You might surprise yourself at the possibilities!

5. Reconnect with Family & Friends For years, perhaps even decades, the family’s spotlight was on your addiction. How well do you really know your family and friends who supported you during that time? People like to feel valued, so plan special activities with individuals to show them how much you care and are interested in learning about them. Apologize for anything you may have done to hurt them, ask for their forgiveness; then move on, and rebuild your relationships. Try to be sensitive to the fact that the addiction likely damaged their sense of trust, and be open-minded about their suggestions and needs (like family therapy, etc.). If you feel frustrated or discouraged, remember that they really do love you: look how much they sacrificed for you to get better!

6. Volunteer Feeling sorry for yourself? Don’t let yourself get stuck in a rut of self-pity! You may start feeling depressed and return to your substance of abuse! Making a contribution to your community helps both others and yourself. Yes, it is very likely that you have faced serious challenges in your life. However, very few people lead perfect, easy lives. Volunteering may show you the enormous range of challenges that everyone faces – that you are not alone.

7. Travel Never been to Italy? Maybe Yellowstone intrigues you. Or perhaps you’ve always wanted to check out your city’s art museum but never had a chance. Whether you go around the block or around the world, leaving your comfort zone will increase your awareness of other cultures and ways of thinking.

8. Appreciate Try to be more aware of those people and things in your life that have affected you positively. Because thoughts often can profoundly affect emotions (Read How Addicts Think), thinking positively – and developing a conscious ritual of appreciation – will likely lead to positive emotions like increased self-esteem, positivity, and hope.

9. Experience When you’ve done all of these things, give yourself an opportunity to passively be. Listen to music at a concert or on CD, meditate, or sit in silence in a beautiful, natural setting. Looking for other unique experiences – both active and passive – will help you to fill in the gap that you may feel was left by the addiction with wonderful, healthy, positive life experiences.

10. Repeat Once you make it through this list, go back to number 1 and start all over again! Keep your life exciting by trying new activities and by recognizing the value of what you have!