This is one key difference between the sober curious movement and total sobriety. Unlike people who stay sober because of dependency or addiction, sober curious people may not necessarily meet criteria for an alcohol use disorder or intend to give up alcohol permanently. With a decade of experience in producing content for drug rehabilitation centers, Ben has developed a deep understanding of the challenges and triumphs in this sphere.
How Can Relapse be Prevented Once Sobriety Has been Achieved?
To learn more about this approach, check out the nonprofit organization Moderation Management. The new reality of Zoom hangouts might not be the most fun option, but they do reduce the need to explain your choice not to drink if you aren’t comfortable telling others about your plans. Plenty of options for alcohol-free socializing and dating exist, of course.
A Beginner’s Guide to the ‘Sober Curious’ Movement
Sobriety with MAT is about using these medications responsibly as part of a comprehensive treatment plan. Have some sober friends you can invite as your plus-one to a social event like a party or wedding. And stay in touch with your sponsor and call them if you’re feeling anxious or uncomfortable.
Recovery support programs
- It usually involves some questioning of drinking culture and your own patterns of alcohol use.
- Or you might rather spend time volunteering for a good cause, like an animal shelter or children’s hospital.
- Talk to your therapist, other healthcare provider, or sponsor about how to deal with your anger in ways that won’t cause you to harm yourself or others or turn to alcohol or drugs.
- Remember to care for yourself, seek supportive relationships, and consider seeking help from a therapist.
- To learn more about this approach, check out the nonprofit organization Moderation Management.
Anger is a normal and natural emotion, but how you deal with it will make a difference in maintaining your recovery. A structured routine will help you achieve other goals in your life, whether they are short-term (like being on time for work) or long-term (like going back to school and changing careers). It’s important to develop a structured daily and weekly schedule and stick to reasons to stay sober it. If PAWS is severe or if you’re experiencing prolonged symptoms, a medical professional can help you work through them and remain in recovery without relapse. Post-acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS) involves withdrawal symptoms that persist past the detox period. Such symptoms are often related to mood and may include irritability, anxiety, depression, sleep problems, and fatigue.
Build a Support Network
Yet because so many people consider social drinking harmless, you might feel like you’re grappling with these thoughts alone. The sober curious movement aims to help validate these questions and create a community for those curious about mindful drinking. While both sobriety and abstinence can positively impact mental health, sobriety often involves a deeper engagement with mental health issues. It includes actively working on emotional well-being, seeking therapy or counseling, and developing coping strategies for mental health challenges. Abstinence may not necessarily involve this level of mental health engagement.
- Many people use the terms “sobriety” and “abstinence” interchangeably, but they are not the same.
- If any area of your life is out of control, it will not help you maintain lasting sobriety.
- But it’s also important to recognize the difference between sobriety and the choice to go without drinking.
- This means not partaking in the addictive substance (like drugs or alcohol) or engaging in the addictive behavior (such as gambling or binge eating) at all.
- In addition to guidance and support, some of the apps also can help you get immediate help from your network or find a ride to a support group meeting.
- As someone who is personally journeying through recovery, Ben’s work is not only rooted in professional knowledge but also enriched by his own experiences.
- You may not feel a need to quit entirely, but you think taking a break might help you find more productive ways of managing challenges.
- Recovery from drug addiction is not just a one-time event but a continuous process.
- Organizations like Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous are other ways to build a support network.
- Other people won’t be able to tell the difference just by looking at your glass.
Can Someone Be Considered Sober If They Use Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)?
