It is not a good idea to delay getting sober but some people will choose a special time like New Year to begin their sobriety attempt. This can work out well, but the problem is that by delaying their new start the individual will be delaying the end to the suffering. The other problem is that New Year is a time when people traditionally make sincere resolutions, but then renege on these within a few weeks or even days. New Year can be a real chance for a fresh start, but in order to make this a reality the individual will need more than good intentions.
The Reasons People Fail to Keep New Year Resolutions to Become Sober
When people make a New Year’s resolution to give up alcohol and drugs they will usually be sincere and determined at the time. The reasons for why the individual will fail to keep this resolution include:
- If the individual is addicted to alcohol and drugs, they are likely to suffer uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms. These are usually now worse than mild flu like symptoms, but the person knows that they can stop them at any time by taking another drink or drug – it can be very tempting to relapse. In some cases the individual will require a supervised detox in order for them to make it safely through this period – this is particular the case if the person is at any risk of delirium tremens (a potentially life threatening) form of withdrawals that can occur if people have been addicted to alcohol or barbiturates for many years. In order to make sobriety a reality the person will need to be prepared for these withdrawal symptoms and be determined enough to see it through.
- The reality is that even though the person may be sincere when they make their resolution they will often be ambivalent about recovery. This means that they are in two minds about the sober life. The reality is that most of the time they feel like they should be sober rather than really wanting this more than anything else in the world. The reason for why the person remains ambivalent is that they continue to hold onto the hope that they will one day be able to drink or use drugs again without negative repercussions. Unless the person is 100% committed to lifelong abstinence, it will be difficult for them to break away from addiction for good.
- It is common for substance abusers to really overdo things over the holiday period, and this will usually mean that they feel ill and full of remorse. Under these conditions, the desire to quit may be strong. The problem is that once the holiday season is over, and they begin to feel a bit better, they begin to question the need to quit. The sad truth is that humans have an amazing ability to forget their suffering once it has ended, and this explains how they can keep returning to the same point of suffering repeatedly.
- Some people just find it too hard to give up alcohol or drugs unless they have sufficient support. Breaking away from substance abuse is a major life-changing event, and the person may need plenty of help to make this a reality.
- It is all too come for substance abusers to make resolutions as a means to get other people off their case. They have no real intention of quitting but they use the promise to change as a way to manipulate their loved ones. The individual may even agree to enter rehab or attend 12 Step meetings, but all they are really doing is buying themselves some time.
How to Achieve a New Sober You for 2013
Here are a few ideas for how you can make a new sober you a reality for 2013:
- If you are serious about ending this addiction, you will want to get the help that you need. This means being willing to consider options such as alcohol and drug rehabilitation programs. The idea of entering rehab may sound extreme, but addiction is a life threatening condition and the majority of people who would really benefit from rehab will be oblivious to this fact. If you have previously tried to quit on your own but failed then it just makes sense that you try a different approach this time.
- If you want to make sobriety a reality you need to be willing to do whatever it takes – no reservations. Staying sober now has to become the number one priority in your life and you must not allow anything to get in the way of this. Making sobriety your priority does not mean that you have to white knuckle your way through each day, but it does mean that you always take your recovery seriously and never take it for granted.
- It can be difficult for people to break away from addiction without sufficient support. This support can come from recovery fellowships are sober networks, but it needs to come from somewhere. If the person refuses to consider any type of support then they are likely setting themselves up for a relapse.
The individual must have new coping strategies for living in order to maintain their sobriety. The reasons for why the person fell into addiction in the first place will usually be that they felt unable to cope with life. When this person becomes sober, they will be returning to this situation unless they have a new way of dealing with life. If all the person does is give up alcohol and drugs, they are very unlikely to succeed in their recovery – the things that drove them into substance abuse in the first place will cause them to relapse. The individual must develop a new relationship with life and in order to do this they may have to enter rehab or use some other addiction treatment program.
