So, we’ve just seen some pros and cons of “sober bars”
And why should sober bars come with a warning? Well, one of the most successful ways to avoid relapse is by developing new habits and rituals. If bars used to be your hangout when your world was a mess, a bar-like place won’t be best for you. If sipping bourbon used to be your activity when your life was in shambles, drinking something with a similar taste – like these new non alcoholic “spirits” – won’t be best for you. All these things are too familiar. That makes them all potential triggers. And triggers serve as a gateway toward old behaviors and, ultimately, relapse. Thus, the answer is to devise a new life altogether. If you drank in the first place because you were stressed, identifying the source of that (following a medically guided detox) comes first. What thought patterns are occurring? Recruiting a licensed therapist who can help you navigate these murky waters is a highly suggested practice (especially now that the stigma’s been lifted from “getting help”). Professionals like these can equip you with cognitive behavioral techniques that will help you reclaim your life.
First, you’ll learn not to reach for external answers.
Instead, you’ll learn healthy coping mechanisms. From meditation and yoga to healthy eating and hobbies, renovating your routine can be a game changer. Habits always are hard to change for 30 to 90 days. But, after that, we acclimate. Once we get through the hard part, we begin to find pleasure in our newfound replacement rituals as well as the way our bodies, minds, and relationships feel. We’ll notice how good it feels to wake up refreshed in the morning. We’ll see how good we feel now that we look healthier and our bodies are able to heal inside out. We’ll notice all the wonderful skills we’re acquiring and things we’re learning that we did not have the capacity for before. Then, we’ll slowly start to fall in love with this new life that looks nothing like our old one – that old life we couldn’t imagine leaving at one time. Not everything will be easy. Some things may be irreversible – like health issues, broken relationships, and trauma that transpired during active addiction. Though these moments are hard and may make us want to use to blur reality, we have the choice to instead see that pain through a different filter: knowing that we are doing our best to avoid making any of those things worse – or making similar mistakes again now that we’re seeing reality for what it is.
That said, it’s okay to reach for natural means to help facilitate relaxation when we’re absolutely overwhelmed. Over the counter teas, tinctures, and tablets alike help a great many stressed out souls find peace. (Just be mindful with tinctures, as some contain an alcohol base.) Some of the most popular options include kava, ashwaganda, holy basil, CBD, and suntheanine. Some new companies are actually creating “cocktails” of this nature that mix any number of the above. The idea itself is great (and far better than an alcohol-esque taste). However, they’re so expensive that relying on them versus the basic brand at your pharmacy or fancy grocer might not be a sustainable choice. (Remember that excessive spending is the habit of an irresponsible addict; not someone recovering their life.) Supplements like these should be used occasionally – not as a crutch – as we learn to reach for means to self calm that are more active than passive. This practice communicates to your subconscious that you are in control. You are strong enough to manage addiction. You are safe because you have the tools to regulate yourself. You do not need to use… and you no longer need any remnants or reminders of your old lifestyle in this fulfilling new one you’ve worked so hard to create.
Starting a new life of being clean and sober? Don’t be afraid to reach out for help:
1-800-662-4357