Remaining sober over time is about much more than willpower. In your journey toward recovery, you’re going to experience a lot of ups and downs. During early sobriety, you will have signs and symptoms – some mild, others uncomfortable. The most common ones include fatigue, mood swings, and depression. Most rehab treatment centers discuss and recommend aftercare services following initial addiction treatment.
I Saw My Nightly Glass of Wine as ‘Self-Care.’ In Reality, I Had a Drinking Problem
Caring for yourself can enable you to better support and encourage your loved one in their recovery and sobriety. Recovery can be a roller coaster of emotions for the sober alcoholic as they learn to live without depending on alcohol. Your loved one may face periods of intense emotions like anger or sadness as they learn to deal with their emotions in a healthy way. The best thing you can do in the midst of this is be ready and willing to listen to their frustrations and be sure not to blame yourself for their emotional difficulties, whether it’s anger or sadness. The supportive partner may also go through their own emotional process.
My willpower grew stronger every time I said ‘no’
Substance use within unhappy relationships can also become a downward spiral that can be difficult to get out of. One (or both) partner’s substance use can become the source of arguments. Recovery from substance use disorder can cause many changes in your marriage — not Sober House all of them positive. On my first night there, I called my husband crying, begging him to pick me up. But thank God he said no because I soon realized that I was exactly like everyone else there. We had different drugs of choice, but we all shared the same struggle.
Living With a Recovering Alcoholic and How to Be a Support System
At first, the idea that if left untreated, his substance use disorder could become a chronic condition was a lot to absorb. That being said, you might not be at a place where you want people to know you’re not drinking, and that’s OK. You can provide an excuse, like that you’re on antibiotics, or you aren’t feeling great or want to feel fresh for something you have going on the next day. It’s https://thetennesseedigest.com/top-5-advantages-of-staying-in-a-sober-living-house/ important to remember that you never have to give yourself up to make other people comfortable—ever. Whether you’re stating a one-sentence response (“I don’t drink”) or using a small excuse, the only thing to consider is whether you are comfortable, and whether your boundaries are being upheld. It’s seen as normal to drink, and quitting that drug can feel like breaking a social pact.
- If any area of your life is out of control, it will not help you maintain lasting sobriety.
- Acknowledging and celebrating the hard work of recovery is helpful for keeping you motivated and reminding you why you took this brave step toward sobriety in the first place.
- In your journey toward recovery, you’re going to experience a lot of ups and downs.
- However, some programs require patients to live in residential facilities where they receive 24/7 supervision.
- Living with someone who has substance use disorder can be difficult, and also create changes in your relationship.
- It’s about recognizing the strength within, acknowledging the need for support, and embracing a life where alcohol no longer dictates the narrative.
This is because alcoholics have been conditioned to suppress their feelings. As a result, they don’t know how to deal with strong emotions like anger, anxiety, fear, guilt, shame, etc., without drinking. In fact, many alcoholics end up relapsing into alcoholism due to their inability to cope with life’s ups and downs. Addressing a loved one’s addiction is never a straightforward path. Sometimes, an alcoholic family member won’t get help willingly, adding an extra layer of complexity to the situation.
