Staying Motivated in Long-term Sobriety

Prolonged substance abuse causes consequences – the First Law of Boundaries states that we must allow our loved ones to reap what they sow. People develop serenity by constantly facing the challenges that come their way. As they deal with each unique problem, they develop new coping strategies. These coping strategies are like tools that they have to add to their toolbox. Eventually, the individual reaches a stage where they have tools to deal with almost every eventuality.

Build up your intrinsic or internal motivation for long-term sobriety. Others need help in making the decision to change; but once decided, they need little further assistance. Still other people have difficulty with both the decision to change, and how to make that change occur.

Connect spiritually to a higher power

Having made that stride, the next step is finding the internal motivation to not quit and to keep fighting everyday for a better life. You are not the first person to seek recovery from a substance abuse disorder. Many have come before you and have fought their way to a healthier and more fulfilling life of sobriety. Seek out books, testimonies, blogs, and anything else you can find from both experts and those who have experienced victory over similar struggles. You may find several inspirational quotes or helpful mantras that will carry you through the difficult times. When you make your own decision to seek recovery, you may find that your life post-recovery starts to look a lot different. Many people who are recovering from a substance abuse disorder have to cut off old social ties, sometimes even family, move locations, find new favorite hobbies, and build an entirely new life for themselves.

You might keep pictures of your family around you, where you can see them easily. You might periodically write about why family is important to you. Studies have found that this practice–called self-affirmation–can help you make healthier decisions and improve your relationships. As you start navigating through sobriety, you will start to understand that your recovery must be the most important motivating factor in your life. Anything that comes before your recovery will be subject to be taken away again and again. Where there is a will, there is a way, and recovery is achievable for this very reason.

The Power of the Recovery Capital Index

While the process of recovery begins to restore your health, it will demand a good deal of energy to be sure you are staying motivated along the way. Motivation is believed to be a strong factor in the potential outcome of rehabilitation from substance abuse and can even predict the success of recovery. The Reasons for Quitting Questionnaire, developed for smoking cessation, has since been adapted for other forms of addiction. The RFQ recovery motivation identifies intrinsic motivation factors, such as concerns about health and self-concept issues, and extrinsic motivation factors, like legal issues and social influence. Some people suffering from addiction decide to enter recovery so they can live long enough to see their children grow up or make their parents proud. Some individuals just tire of living empty lives, hustling for their next fixes and hurting the people they love.

Meetings, step work and commitments might start to feel like a chore. You might find fault with certain things, like the people at meetings or assignments that your sponsor gives you. Some participants become demoralized and discouraged about the future when they think about unpleasant experiences in the past. Practitioners can help these clients reframe their past experiences as challenges and reframe their coping efforts as strengths. This strategy may help the participant to begin to see his or her hospital experience as a sign of strength and resourcefulness rather than shame and embarrassment.