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Why You Need Structure in Sobriety

Getting sober is not a process that gets completed overnight. Instead, sobriety is something that people continue to work on for the remainder of their lives. That is because addiction is not curable, rather treatable. With the appropriate treatment, individuals can build a strong foundation in their sobriety that will allow them to keep tending to themselves with effective skills for a lifetime. One of the most important elements of sobriety is structure. You might wonder why you need structure in sobriety, which is normal. Structure helps keep you stable in your sobriety so that you can continue to live a happy, healthy life that is free of active addiction. 

What Should You Expect in Early Sobriety?

If you are newly sober, you are probably wondering what you can expect from this time in your life. Chances are you are venturing out on a path that you have not traveled before and are already starting to engage in changes that, while appreciated, are unfamiliar. Early sobriety can be an extremely vulnerable time, which is why knowing what to expect can help take the edge off. 

You will experience high and low points in your early sobriety, just as you would with most other things in life. But it is important to remember that you are on a journey that will help you fill your life with positive energy and progress. One of the first things you can expect during early sobriety may be an overall sense of uncertainty. As mentioned before, many things are changing in your life and it often takes time for these changes to go into effect. You can prepare yourself for this by relinquishing control to the process and taking each moment as it comes. 

Since you are putting forth such effort to establish your sobriety, you may experience some fatigue. This is completely normal, especially because you are working hard to adjust your mental, physical, and spiritual well-being. You may even see that your days get a little bit harder before they get easier, however, it is imperative to remember that they do get easier. 

You may experience temptations to use again or triggers that make you want to revert back to old behaviors at this time. This is one reason why you need structure in your sobriety, as structure can help you combat these challenges that develop early on. 

Why You Need Structure In Sobriety?

There are countless reasons why you need structure and routine in early sobriety, especially considering that this time in your life is highly delicate and transformative. Structure and routine offer a number of benefits. 

Encourages Good Overall Health

When you have structure in early sobriety, you are laying the foundation for overall good health. That is because the structure allows you to be prepared for what comes next, helping to reduce stress and the unexpected. When you are in control as a result of the structure and regular routine, you can benefit from good sleep patterns, a healthy diet, exercise, and strong interpersonal relationships. 

Prevents Boredom

Boredom is easily one of the most critical reasons why you need structure in sobriety. It can be easy to get bored when newly in recovery, especially since you may not fully know what to do just yet. You have likely spent a great deal of your time immersed in substance abuse, allowing your interests, relationships, and overall sense of being to slip away. As you work on your sobriety, staying active and preventing boredom is an absolute must. Structure and routine can give you that outline to follow so that you stay focused on your goals rather than get distracted.

Improves Self-Esteem

There is no doubt that after surviving drug or alcohol addiction, your self-esteem might be at an all-time low. This is one of the most important reasons why you need structure and routine in sobriety. When you build a structure for yourself, you are setting goals and expectations that are achievable. When you achieve your goals, even the smallest of ones, you immediately boost your self-esteem. The structure you follow in sobriety can help you to improve upon your self-esteem one step at a time. 

Establishing New Routines In Sobriety

There is great benefit in establishing new routines, especially routines that support the goals you are looking to achieve. As you adjust to your new life of sobriety, there are more reasons than ever why you need structure. Some of the most tried-and-true elements of routines that people in recovery have benefitted from include, but are certainly not limited to, the following:

  • Going to Meetings – Meetings, such as Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous, are the foundation for many people’s sobriety. These meetings are free, available every single day, and at many times throughout the day. In these meetings, you can continue to work on your recovery while building a strong fellowship with others in recovery.
  • Seeing a Therapist – Just because you are not in treatment anymore does not mean that your therapy needs to stop. Therapy may be one of the key reasons why you need structure and routine in your sobriety, as it allows you to keep making progress on your mental, emotional, and spiritual self. 
  • Meeting with a Sponsor – If you attend AA or NA meetings, you can get a sponsor. A sponsor is someone who is also in the program who can help guide you through the 12-Steps all while offering 24/7 support any time you need. 

When you put routines such as going to meetings and seeing a therapist regularly into your schedule, you are setting yourself up for success as you continue to navigate your newfound sobriety. 

Structure in Sobriety Is Important Get Addiction Treatment in Nashville, TN

At Detox Nashville, we fully support structure and routine in sobriety, as we see it as a key component to a successful recovery. Not only do we provide top-of-the-line detox services, but we also offer medication-assisted treatment, aftercare services, and sober living options that are designed to help stabilize you as you get sober. 

Our team of dedicated professionals focuses on helping you establish the right type of schedule and routine for yourself so that you can start living a happy life that is no longer controlled by drugs or alcohol. If you are ready to get the help you need to make these and other changes, call us right now at (615) 845-4747 or visit our website to learn more. 

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24/7 Help Is Standing By, Call Us Now.