Staying Sober

Alcoholism is a debilitating disease that affects you and every person you know. Friends and family are especially prone to being hurt by the detrimental effects of alcoholism. It's easy to repeatedly promise to quit drinking, but taking the initiative to stop drinking and sober up for good is much harder. If you're trying to stay sober but keep relapsing, follow these steps to make your life more manageable. *Remove all temptations from your life. That means every last one. Place yourself only in situations that will help you. Don't tempt yourself. If you just quit drinking, it's not a good idea to go out to bars, pubs, or nightclubs around town, let alone to be in the same room with alcohol. *Lean on your support system. Whether it comes from friends, family, or recovery groups, you can't overcome alcoholism alone. Find people who will support your decision to sober up, and tell them about the goals you have set for yourself. *Stay committed. Don't talk yourself out of your decision. It's easy to have your doubts when you first quit drinking. But don't lose confidence in yourself! If you truly believe you can stop drinking, then you can. *Stay busy and active. If you spend all of your time alone in a dark house, it's likely you will feel lonely and depressed and will want a drink because you won't have anything better to do. If you fill your life with the things you love, you'll be less likely to want to drink. Here are some things you can do