Healing Tools & Ideas

Your beliefs, thoughts, and emotions set the stage for your recovery. Give yourself the best possible outcome by continuing to care for yourself, believe in yourself, and believe that you can be (and deserve to be) healthy, happy, and free. Being pro-active and going to therapy will help you learn to accept, respect, and love yourself and give you the coping skills you need to remain healthy and sober.

Empowering Affirmations

Daily Intentions

Release Journaling

Here are a few reminders and suggestions to help you build and maintain a sober life:

1. If you haven’t already done so, get a complete physical. Your physical health is crucial in maintaining sobriety. Physical pain, poor nutrition, or chemical imbalances can quickly lead to relapse.

2. Visit a psychotherapist regularly. It is important to have a professional to talk with, help you identify triggers and underlying core issues, and help you process and move through difficulties.

3. Surround yourself with supportive, healthy, sober people. Attend meetings or any support group you are comfortable with. There are alternative recovery support groups if you do not like AA, such as Smart Recovery and Refuge Recovery. You can find them at www.aanottheonlyway.com. Be true to yourself. Be open to trying different meetings or groups until you find the right fit.

4. Create an alcohol- and drug-free environment and be smart when choosing music, movies, and activities. Keep yourself safe.

5. Expand your reading to include uplifting, self-help, and spiritual literature.

6. Stress and boredom can be huge triggers. Find ways to manage your triggers. If stress is an issue, learn deep breathing techniques; try meditation, yoga, or tai-chi. Listening to Embrace a New Life recording will help reduce stress. If you get bored easily, manage your time by planning your days with activities that support your sobriety. Balance your days with work, rest, and play, and remember to eat healthy meals and exercise.

7. Honor yourself by accepting your feelings and expressing them effectively and respectfully. Establish and maintain healthy boundaries. Learn how to say no.

8. Whenever you become overwhelmed by uncomfortable feelings, call your therapist, sponsor, or a trusted sober friend immediately. If you have no one to talk with, a healthy way to vent feelings and thoughts that are building within you is to write them down to release them.

9. Find a passion and pursue it.

10. Create a life with purpose.