Staying Committed to Sobriety: Practical Tips for Success

Build a Support Network

Recovery may feel isolating, but you don’t have to do it alone. Support networks offer a group of people who share your experience. Peers in support groups motivate each other’s sobriety,⁴ exchange stories, and provide emotional support. They also decrease the risk of relapse. 

You can find support groups for different needs:

• Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)
• Cocaine Anonymous
• Narcotics Anonymous
• SMART Recovery

A strong community can be life-changing. Studies show that people who feel supported by their network are more motivated to stay in recovery.⁵

Identify and Manage Triggers

A trigger is a stimulus that causes a craving response. In some cases, triggers lead to addiction relapse. Relapse is normal in recovery. However, you can plan around it by understanding your triggers. The beauty of the healing journey is that you get to know yourself better, including your triggers.

Some triggers are common and can affect anyone: 

• Environmental cues like smells, locations, items, and even people, can be strong triggers.
• Stress makes it hard to think clearly⁶ and can make you vulnerable to relapse. 

Triggers are a part of life. In recovery, you’ll learn to manage them, rather than eliminate them. Tools for managing triggers may include the phone number of a support person, a comfort object, a calming mantra, and other healthy coping strategies. 

Develop Healthy Coping Strategies

Many people turn to substances to cope with difficult or stressful life situations. Stress isn’t always bad—avoiding it altogether is unrealistic. You can learn healthy ways to manage stress. 

Healthy coping strategies may include a mix of movement, creative outlets, and other hobbies. You may find that you enjoy certain group activities, like rock climbing or yoga. Other healthy habits include art workshops, gardening, cooking, reading, and more. 

Craving management is another coping skill that supports sobriety. It teaches you to control impulses and work through urges so that you don’t fall back into harmful patterns.

A toolbox of healthy coping mechanisms can improve your quality of life. 

Practice Mindfulness

Mindfulness techniques reduce cravings⁷ and improve overall well-being. Mindfulness means being aware of your thoughts, bodily sensations, feelings, and environment in the moment. It involves noticing the here and now with gentle acceptance. 

There are several mindfulness techniques taught in both group settings and one-on-one: 

• Meditation is a tool to stay focused on the present moment. You have many different ways to meditate, whether through a class or guided podcast. 
• Yoga is an ancient practice that focuses on breath and movement. Several studies show that yoga reduces substance cravings.⁸ 
• Mindfulness walks involve focusing on sensations as you walk slowly. You may notice the ground beneath your feet, the way the breeze feels, and more. 

Mindfulness techniques help you stay sober by giving you healthy ways to cope and manage your thoughts and emotions. Some practices, like yoga, also provide community.

Celebrate Sobriety Milestones

In recovery, it’s important to celebrate the big and small wins. Acknowledging your achievements is a way to honor all your efforts and progress. Plus, positive reinforcement motivates people⁹ to commit to a substance-free life.

For some, planning milestone celebrations can be just as exciting as the experience. These milestone celebration ideas show you just how rewarding it can be:

• Connect with nature. Planning a trip to your favorite scenic spot, like the beach or a hiking trail.
• Treat yourself to a spa day with massages, facials, and pure relaxation.
• Join a new exercise or crafts class you’ve always wanted to try. 
• Explore a new restaurant or cook a special meal at home.
• Share your accomplishments with loved ones who have supported you.
• Update your milestone journal and send a kind message to your future self. 

Celebrating successes boosts motivation. Each time you celebrate, your brain releases dopamine, the feel-good neurotransmitter.¹⁰ This creates a positive association with milestones and drives you to want to achieve more. 

Practice Self-Compassion

We don’t always show ourselves the compassion that we deserve. This may have led to substance use in the first place. Learning to love yourself again is a significant part of the healing journey. For many, it’s one of the most profound parts of what happens when you get sober.  

Sobriety itself is an act of self-compassion. You can supplement it with other ways to show yourself that you care:

• Talk to yourself with kindness like you would with a friend.
• Acknowledge your thoughts without judgment.
• Treat yourself to activities that spark joy, like hikes, art classes, or relaxing quiet time.

It’s easy to show self-kindness when everything’s going great. True self-love shines in how we treat ourselves in tough times. Setbacks are frustrating, but they serve as opportunities for growth. They don’t define your progress, and how you respond to them matters. Be patient with yourself during this time. 

Avoid Overconfidence

You should feel proud of how far you’ve come. At the same time, it’s important to recognize potential concerns of overconfidence. Overconfidence, or feeling invulnerable, can lead to complacency. And you may not be ready to loosen the rules around your sobriety just yet. 

Avoid overconfidence by developing a balanced perspective. With practice, you can strengthen your ability to maintain that balance: 

• Reflect on your journey. For some, keeping a sobriety journal helps. Others may prefer to talk about their recovery. 
• Stay connected. Your support network can help you identify biases and stay grounded.
• Adjust your goals. Make sure they’re aligned with your current situation. 
• Lean on professional help when you need it. 

Find Meaning and Purpose

When drug addiction takes over, it’s easy to lose sight of life’s meaning. Sobriety is a chance to rediscover your sense of purpose. 

Finding purpose is a personal journey. Certain things can guide the process. Kendall Bronk,¹¹ a researcher on purpose at Claremont Graduate University Kelly, suggests 7 ways to find purpose¹² in UC Berkeley’s Greater Good Magazine: 

1. Point out what matters to you.
2. Reflect on your values to clarify your purpose.
3. Identify your strengths.
4. Give back. Many people in recovery find purpose through volunteering. 
5. Imagine what your best self looks like. 
6. Cultivate awe and gratitude.
7. Look to people you admire. 

Whether you rediscover old passions or try something new, take time to explore what truly matters to you. Finding meaning can make your experiences that much richer and your life in recovery that much more joyful.

Frequently Asked Questions About How to Stay Committed to Sobriety