Clean and Sober? Now What?

The big question on everybody’s mind is this.

Clean and sober, now what?

Getting clean and sober is one thing but what to do with yourself then?

Most people who join our sober house have been using drugs or alcohol for many years and their lives have completely fallen apart.  All their time was taken up with using and now there is just a huge void left to fill.

Most of our people have been to rehabs in Thailand and around the world already before joining us. A rehab programme includes mostly talk therapy and groups where individuals will work on personal issues, but a sober house is different.

Getting clean and sober is one thing but staying clean and sober long-term is another. Talking about recovery in a room is ok but putting recovery into action is better. The sober house is a big step down from the full structure of rehab programmes.

When people come to us, they must start putting their recovery into action and start building a life for themselves. This is when the real struggle starts. Initially being clean and sober is hard to deal with. Finding the motivation to do anything is a struggle sometimes as everything can just seem a little boring or unnatural to an addict.

I would say that 90 percent of our current guests are completely lost as what to do with their future and that’s why sober living after rehab is crucial. The extra time spent in a sober house where you get your freedom to come and go from the house allows you to explore the world clean and sober.

Recovery requires action! We encourage and support our guests into trying new things. They go to recovery support meetings in the community and some get sponsors and start working a programme. We encourage everyone to volunteer or join other social groups that they are passionate about.

We believe that after getting clean and sober you must start getting out and making connections with other people. Recovery is about community and that’s the beauty of being at our sober house in Chiang Mai in Thailand as it’s a hub of wellness and recovery.

We provide immense support and a very supportive community where you will feel safe. You can go out and test your recovery in the community and practise a sober life.

Clean and Sober Living

The benefits of clean and sober living are huge. The biggest and most beautiful thing is that you get your freedom of choice back. You are not caught up in the vicious cycle of powerlessness. You can wake up in the morning without the desperation of worrying about where to get your next fix from.

You must learn to do what sober people do, that’s how you stay sober. People in recovery don’t go to pubs and bars often especially in early recovery.

I suggest that you get up early and go to bed early. You must change routines and interests.

Clean and sober living in a community is a great way to initially help you through the early days of recovery.

There is a saying in Alcoholics Anonymous that I feel is very true. “You must build a life for yourself where it is easier not to drink”

Clean and sober living takes effort and action and you must get on with rebuilding your life after substance abuse.

I see people who have managed to get clean and sober for a good amount of time go on to do amazing things with their lives. It is possible to rebuild your life after the misery of addiction and people do recover all the time. You will have to draw upon all your resilience skills and take full responsibility for your recovery to get you through.

In the addiction world there is always a lot of talk about people in recovery going on to do service to others.

This takes us out of our self-pity and self-centredness. One addict helping another is powerful. It does not even have to be helping other addicts.

When individuals are caught up in the vicious cycle of addiction, they feel shame and guilt for what they are doing.

When we get involved in grassroots projects and volunteer with feel a great sense of self-esteem and self-worth.

5 Top Tips for Clean and Sober Living

I am going to give you my own personal top tips on living a clean and sober life. I am in recovery myself. I trained to be an addictions counsellor and have been doing this for 11 years now.

We specialise in clean and sober living. We have created a very special programme to help people find their way back into a sober life.

1. Recovery means action! Get off your butt and go out and get connected.

2. Get up early and go to bed early.

3. Change your routines and habits. Small changes make a big impact on your life.

4. Get involved with service. Help others less fortunate than you

5. Find a recovery programme that works for you. You do not have to make recovery meetings your life but stay connected. Build up a supportive team of people who will listen and help you when you’re struggling.

Alcoholics Anonymous has been around for years. I strongly suggest that you go to some meetings in your area to investigate the programme they have. They also have a fellowship for recovering alcoholics that can help.

Going to rehab can certainly help and going to a sober house afterwards can be crucial to maintaining long-term sobriety. Rehabs and sober houses will show you many coping skills whilst giving you the opportunity to learn about addiction through counselling and group therapy.

Getting sober and staying sober is best done with guidance from people who have done it.

The experts can show you skills and techniques on how to stay sober long-term. You will need a programme that helps you get through cravings and triggers.