I Learned to Live Sober

Contributed by: Crystal Karges, MS, RDN, IBCLC, at Addiction Hope

Whatever has been your substance of choice, living under the influence of drugs or alcohol can take over your life. With continued and ongoing substance abuse, your reality in life becomes significantly altered. This can include everything from your morals, values, and beliefs to your career and family life.

Being under the control of addiction means relenting the other priorities in your life to this disorder, whether you are conscious of this or not. As an addict, it can be difficult to recognize the damage that has been done to your life as the result of your addiction.

Perhaps you have been in denial about the intensity of your addiction, which is common when under the control of drug/alcohol-seeking behaviors.

The Vicious Cycle of Addiction

Even in the face of hardship, the vicious cycle of an addiction will continue to persist. This is largely a result of the powerful biological and physiological mechanisms that drive a person in addictive behaviors.

Because the body and brain become physically dependent on a substance that has been chronically abused, it is typically not possibly to simply quit or become sober, even with the best intentions to do so.

For these reasons, sobriety begins with an intervention of behaviors, and having a profession system to support you through the intervention is necessary to successfully become sober.

How Detox Is the Beginning of a Process

cat-9256_640In many instances of drug and alcohol addiction, a detox phase is necessary to effectively wean the body off the substance. This is another significant reason why becoming sober is in fact a process, one that requires professional support.

After becoming physically dependent on drugs or alcohol, the body adapts to live and function with the substance in its system.

Withdrawing from a substance too quickly can in fact be detrimental, even deadly. Medical detox is an important first step towards becoming sober and one that should occur under the guidance and supervision of professionals.

Becoming Sober as a Long-Term Goal

Learning to live sober should be seen as a gradual process that unfolds slowly over time. With dedication and commitment to the process, you can become sober and learn to maintain your sobriety for the rest of your life.

It is necessary to tap in to the resources that are available for individuals who are struggling with an addiction. Achieving sobriety may seem like a daunting process, but the rewards and benefits are worthwhile and invaluable and will change the entire outcome of your life.

Community Discussion – Share your thoughts here!

What has the path of sobriety looked like for you?

Last Updated & Reviewed By: Jacquelyn Ekern, MS, LPC on March 13th, 2015
Published on AddictionHope.com