Life after substance addiction treatment is challenging to navigate as you are reintroduced to what life was like before recovery. However, you do not have to go back to your old patterns, behaviors, or circle of friends. When you decide to change your life, you also commit to opening yourself up to new experiences.

While new adventures, places, or people are sometimes intimidating, so was entering detox and substance use treatment. Now you know you have the power to embrace healthy habits and block unhealthy relationships. In order to embrace life without alcohol or drugs, consider investing time into sober trends that work for you.

There are everyday hacks for living a sober, happy life. The key is to look for opportunities to use or engage in them. Of course, there are times when you invest your time and learn that a new habit is not for you. However, there will be times when you expand on newly discovered hobbies and passions. Before you can do either, find a sober system to support your recovery. With their help and a few hacks, you can navigate sober trends that can help you make a strong commitment to your overall health.

What Is a Sober System?

Sober systems consist of meaningful relationships that guide your recovery progress. Your friends and family are a part of this system. If you find guidance in groups like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or Narcotics Anonymous (NA), those are also a part of your system.

Specific groups of people do not define a sober system. You may find a solid, sober network through activities like surfing, yoga, running, and the arts. The point of a sober support system is to find a way to channel harmful energy or thoughts into constructive energy. A sober system aids in maintaining recovery.

How Do I Find a Sober System?

One way to build a solid foundation in recovery is to look around you and identify those who want to see you succeed. Let them in on what you want to achieve in your recovery journey. Set goals and allow yourself to open up to new possibilities if your goals are obstructed or change for any reason.

Next, look outside of your social circle. There are social groups that focus primarily on maintaining sobriety and having fun. Perhaps the simplest way to find a group that shares your interests while maintaining sobriety is to search the internet for local or online groups.

What Is a Sober Trend?

A sober trend is anything popular and new in the recovery world. You may find that social networking provides the support you need to maintain sobriety. It is possible to use social media to find and follow similar people in recovery. There are many platforms like Twitter, Facebook (Meta), TikTok, and Instagram to do so. You can even find sober groups on Reddit or Clubhouse.

Once you find an organization, page, or person that resonates with you, connect by following them. Over time, you can slowly start to engage in their posts. Engage with them through comments or private messages if something they post impacts your life.

Sometimes, even the most innocuous post can change how you see the world. Think about the last time someone posted something and it made you re-evaluate things. Use that revelation to go forward and make small or profound changes in your life. You can even start posting your own thoughts and get others to engage in your recovery process.

What Are the Pitfalls of Sober Trends?

Like anything else, there are drawbacks to trends. For example, look at your wardrobe from ten years ago. Some things are evergreen, and other items are downright cringe-worthy. The same goes for sober trends. In-person social groups can provide a base for friendships and support.

However, face-to-face groups can be toxic if you associate with toxic people, such as those who are not supportive of your recovery. Over time, you can outgrow people, places, or activities. Life changes, and so will you. Find what is healthy for you in the moment and evolve with time.

Social media is another give-and-take aspect of your life. Spending vast amounts of time on social media engaging on multiple platforms or pages can detract from face-to-face interactions. Every once in a while, step back and assess how many people online you know personally. If you cannot find one person on any of the sites you follow, put down your device and get out of the habit of finding validation or support in faceless groups.

Sober trends include sober systems, in-person interactions, or social media. You have the choice to follow, create, or build on anything to make your recovery process a positive trend for you.

When you leave substance use treatment, find what is suitable for you and your recovery. Sober trends are fun and easy to engage in once you discover them. Through searches or word of mouth, you have the opportunity to try out and throw out trends that work for or against your recovery. In-person groups that share an interest are great ways to build a healthy, sober system. Social media is another way to discover new ideas, stay on top of trends in the recovery world, and interact with others who understand what you are going through. Monte Cristo Recovery takes you through the detox process and guides you to find a healthy sober system. We believe you can achieve sobriety when you're comfortable both mentally and physically. That's why our center is conveniently located in Santa Ana and provides the best care at an affordable price. For more information, call (714) 824-9896.

Sobriety is a life-long goal. You can tell yourself you're going to stop drinking or using drugs, but like any goal, once you achieve it, you realize there's more to accomplish. Being clean and sober takes patience, commitment, and realizing that you don't know what it takes to be sober. Maybe no one does.

Getting Sober

Everyone decides to become clean and sober for a reason. Take a moment to remember what was the reason you decided to stop using alcohol or drugs. In some cases, the decision stems from pain, like a break-up in a relationship. However, the change in emotional well-being can open your eyes to the reality of your substance use.

There are times when getting sober is the only choice. The legal consequences of risky or illegal behavior can force you to enter a detoxification program. Families can also play a part in why you entered a substance addiction program.

Whatever your reason for getting sober is, you took the steps necessary to reach your goal of sobriety.

What It Takes to Maintain Sobriety

During early recovery, you think you know a lot about maintaining your sobriety. You may even have the "pink cloud effect." Unfortunately, the pink cloud effect prevents you from recognizing the hardships of recovery. Eventually, the euphoria of completing treatment will end. To help avoid relapse, you need to accept the love and support of those around you. It would be best if you faced reality because there are tough times ahead.

Getting sober and maintaining your sobriety means you realize you don't know what it takes to become sober or stay sober. Addiction is psychological and physical. You can stop using substances, but until you understand why you used them, stopping forever is difficult. Throughout your stay in a treatment center, you learn healthy coping skills, discuss your triggers, and make a treatment plan to follow once you leave. When you finish substance addiction treatment, though, you re-enter the life you left behind.

Set Goals

Goals provide a point of focus during treatment and recovery. Not every goal is easy. Sometimes you take on more than you can handle. You don't have to reach the goal you set; you can readjust your timeline or the goal at any time. Also, remember that life or situations can alter how you think or feel about a goal.

To set a goal, you need to assess what you want from yourself and the plan's outcome. Does the goal line up with your beliefs and core values? Anything that doesn't reflect what you believe in or is a priority will fail.

Think about the larger picture when sobriety is your goal. Ask yourself what steps you need to take to reach the status of "clean and sober." Now outline them.
Go with the flow. Life is not linear. You will face challenges or disruptions to your sobriety. A key to coping with any obstacle is to remind yourself you're only you. Whether you relapse or are stuck in your path of sobriety, assess and process your feelings. Be ready to either find a new direction or redefine the goal. Also, start again if you relapse.
Follow the narrow path. Once you have drafted a plan to reach sobriety, remember to narrow down your goal. Saying you want to become or maintain your sobriety is excellent, but what does sober mean to you? Sobriety means what the dictionary says in the bigger picture, but in the smaller image, what is it? If you can't define what sobriety means to you, envision what life free of alcohol or drugs looks like. That's your version of sobriety.

Think of sobriety like this: when you start on a hike, the path is wide open. You head towards a specific point, but along the way, the course will change. Sometimes the terrain is smooth, steep, rocky, or washed away. Maybe the further you hike, the narrower the path becomes. During the hike, you adjust because you need to accommodate the unexpected to reach your destination.

Reaching Your Goals

Now, what happens once you reach your goal? You can stay where you are or move forward. Reaching a goal gives you the chance to set new goals that push you further. However, before you go ahead, make sure your foundation is firm, and you have the proper coping skills.

Let's go back to the hike. If your goal was to reach the midpoint of a mountain and you were successful, you can set another goal to reach the top of the mountain. Ask yourself if you have the proper skills or training before you start to go up. Perhaps you think you can make it on your own. What happens when the unexpected happens? You shouldn't hike a mountain without training, proper gear, and a support system. You shouldn't try sobriety on your own, either. Maintaining sobriety requires training, support, and the willingness to accept you can't get to the top without constantly readjusting.

Sobriety is many things to different people. To decide to become sober is a step towards the broader goal of being sober, but it isn't everything. You will learn healthy coping skills, goal-setting techniques, and when to adjust your path if needed. You should also understand you don't know what it takes for you to be sober. No one can know. An aspect of being sober recognizes your own life, and its circumstances are constantly evolving. What it took to finish a substance addiction treatment program may not fulfill your needs once you leave treatment. Your core values or environment can also shift, leaving the path you knew. Monte Cristo Recovery is here to help you start your journey to recovery. Our staff shares your goal of sobriety because we were once in your shoes. We recognize your individual needs while you are with us. If you think you want to learn about detox, call (714) 824-9896.

Sober Systems: Find What Works for You