Self-Discipline: The Secret to Overcoming Daily Struggles

Joe has been sober for a while now, but still struggles daily with the urge to drink. Joe doesn’t want to give in, but doesn’t know if he can continue to resist.

He believes his willpower simply isn’t strong enough. He feels like he has very little self-discipline and fears the day will come when he gives in to cravings.

Do these struggles sound familiar? If you've faced similar circumstances, it’s important to develop self-discipline so you can move through these moments and stay grounded in recovery.

Developing Self-Discipline

Once you develop self-discipline in your life, these positive routines can provide healthy alternatives to your old habits. When the urge arises to fall back into drug or alcohol use, you can turn to these activities instead.

Your first two steps in this process are:

1. Plan Ahead

Decide what you’re going to do ahead of time:

• “If I get the urge to drink, I’m going to go for a walk instead.”
• “If I suddenly want a drink, I will call my friend.”
• “When I want to use drugs, I will write about it.”

Don’t wait for the moment to arrive. Once you’re in the midst of the struggle, it can be hard to think clearly, develop a plan, and act.

Think of it like planning a fire evacuation route or practicing what to do if a tornado appears. When cravings hit, your “emergency response” will already be ready. Your pre-planned action can protect you from making a decision you’ll regret.

2. Stick With the Winners

This Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) slogan offers a great tip for anyone struggling with self-discipline.

“Winners” are people who have demonstrated strength in the area you’re working on. Building relationships with people you can call during daily struggles provides the support you need to overcome them.

In contrast, try to avoid spending time with people who encourage you to return to old habits. That influence won’t help you create new, healthy disciplines.

By changing the company you keep, you strengthen the discipline of surrounding yourself with positive support. These peers have maintained strong self-discipline, and their example can encourage you in your own journey.

Find Healthy Alternatives

Once you’ve surrounded yourself with healthy support and planned your “evacuation route,” begin building healthy activities into your life. These become your go-to alternatives during moments of temptation.

Stay disciplined in keeping these habits up, and you’ll soon find yourself better able to manage daily struggles.

• Get active: Physical activity—exercising daily, taking walks, playing a sport, or trying martial arts—helps you stay disciplined while strengthening both mind and body.
• Get a journal: Writing out your struggles can be cathartic. Simply admitting (even on paper) that you’re having a hard day can be beneficial. The discipline of processing emotions through journaling helps you work through cravings and gives you a healthy outlet instead of giving in.
• Get new thoughts: Developing healthy self-talk is an important form of self-discipline. When faced with the urge to drink or use, remind yourself why you stopped. Review the negative consequences of giving in and the benefits of staying sober. Remind yourself you won’t feel better afterward, and that you have a lot to lose. It may help to write these benefits and consequences on a card and carry it with you.
• Get a friend: This is where your “winners” come into play. Call someone who has a positive influence on you. Talk, meet up, or enjoy a shared hobby together.
• Get a hobby: Your old hobby may have been drinking or using. Now it’s time to try something new. Build something. Get crafty. Study animals. Start a blog. Take up rock climbing. Try photography. The possibilities are endless. Staying curious helps keep recovery moving forward.

Find Treatment Centers That Can Support Your Recovery

If cravings and urges feel overwhelming, extra support can make a real difference. Recovery.com can help you find drug and alcohol treatment centers that match your needs, whether you’re looking for outpatient care, inpatient support, or ongoing recovery programs. Explore trusted options, compare levels of care, and take the next step toward lasting recovery.