Being clean and sober is a challenge in a world that celebrates accomplishments by getting drunk and high. It’s become normalized to get “messed up” just to enjoy life. What do you do when that’s not the life you want to live? Let’s have just one convo about how you can trust God in your sobriety. 

What does it mean to be clean and sober?

Before we dive into this conversation, I want to clarify the definitions of the phrases clean and sober. I am referring to these phrases as a process of overcoming the addiction to drug and alcohol substances. Moreover, this process is the active choice to embrace sobriety as a way of life. This blog post will dive into ways to grow in love with the process of being clean and sober despite the challenges it may be. Remember, God’s power strengthens us when we are weak. This battle is easier won when you know who’s the Commander in Chief. 

How to get clean and sober?

First, you need to become aware of how your thoughts and feelings influence your actions. Ask yourself, “When do I find myself drinking or using more often?” I encourage you to journal this moment as deep self-reflection. Knowing why you partake in such activities helps you stop harmful coping mechanisms and replace them with healthy coping mechanisms. 

How is the addiction to drugs and alcohol a harmful coping mechanism? 

To clarify, addiction is defined as an inability to stop using a substance or engaging in a behavior even though it may cause psychological or physical harm, according to Medical News Today. There are many ways that an addiction disorder may start, but almost every reason someone stays addicted is because you experience temporary relief – for that moment, it makes you forget about the bad parts of life and embrace that “good” feeling.

Although it may feel good at the moment, that activity (taking drugs, excessive drinking, retail “therapy”, etc.) can cause significant harm to the quality of your life. You may not see the way these excessive behaviors impact your organs until a couple of years down the road. You may not see the way purchasing these substances is robbing your bank account. You may not pay attention to how long you’re not in the present moment. Addiction can take your life away right before your eyes. 

Try these coping mechanisms instead

There are many different healthy coping mechanism you can use to stay clean and sober. I want to share with you a few that has continued to help me along my journey.

Journaling

Writing down your thoughts is a process I swear by. I don’t believe there’s any better way to show up for yourself than to see the thoughts that occur in your head. Too many times, our most negative thoughts are stored in our heads and replayed all day long. That negativity gets exhausting – I’ve felt my mind feeling tired because of how many draining thoughts were stuck in my head. 

Empty out your mind 

In April 2020, I drove to Arizona with a college peer and we stayed in a Hippie-style AirBnB where I stumbled across the book The Artist’s Way. While I didn’t have the chance to read the entire book, I skimmed through it and found the Morning Daily Writing Challenge where you start writing the moment you open your eyes. This activity is what I consider a “Brain Dump.” You are to write whatever comes to mind, not worrying about grammar or switching topics mid-sentence. The purpose is to free up space in your mind and offer yourself a judgment-free zone. 

Talks with God help you stay clean and sober

In addition to the Brain Dump activity, I write letters to God. 1 John 5:14 says “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.” I trust that God hears my prayer when I speak to Him. It is comforting to know that God hears you and will answer your prayers. I encourage you to take some time to write to God. Let Him know what’s going on in your life – He needs your permission to come in and intervene on your behalf. Remember, God gave us free will and He wants you to choose Him. Ask the Lord how to draw closer to Him. When you follow the guidance of 1 Peter 5:7 and cast all your worries and anxieties upon God, you will feel like a weight is being lifted off your shoulders. You do not have to go through this sobriety journey alone.   

Check out this video to hear how God helped me through my addiction:

Spend quality time with people who love you

Speaking of not being alone, be present with the people who love you and show you they love you. It’s one thing for someone to say “I love you” and it means different when they actually show it through their actions. One way to tell if someone loves you is if you ask them to listen without giving advice and they honor your request. If they’re incapable of honoring your request, it may not mean they don’t love you…perhaps they haven’t learned how to honor their own requests. They can’t show up for you in a way that they can’t show up for themselves first. Spending quality time with your loved ones helps lighten the weight of stress and may experience some healing laughs along the way. 

Participate in activities that require your full attention

As a result of spending quality time with loved ones, you experience being in the present moment. Participating in games and activities that require you to move around and apply your mind pulls you away from the darkness in your mind. 

Ask for help 

Be encouraged to ask for help. The worst someone can say is no, but you’ll know that you’re one step closer to finding help elsewhere. Hearing ‘no’ from a loved one may hurt. Sometimes, people are not in a position to help you because they need help themselves. Do not let this deter you from asking for help. You can ask for help in the form of resources. Networking is a huge source of opportunity. Ask if they know someone they can refer you to. Having a support circle can elevate your life to unimaginable levels. Be encouraged to lean on them when you’re not feeling strong. 

Exercise and eat healthy

Staying active has incredible benefits on your mental health and overall health. According to a National Library of Medicine article, exercise is proven to improve mental health by reducing anxiety, depression, and negative mood and by improving self-esteem and cognitive function. Getting your body moving and your blood pumping releases endorphins, which I call happy hormones because they trigger a positive feeling similar to that of the drug morphine. These “happy hormones” released through exercise can act as painkillers. They can decrease the perception of pain. Consequently, by committing to exercise you are committing to your mental health.

Although this should go without saying, I’m going to say it anyway, you have to eat healthy to have the energy to exercise. Your body operates on the fuel you feed it. If your body does not get the nutrients it needs, then it will not operate at its best capacity. A mental health crisis can be avoided if you eat for your health and stay hydrated. Additionally, you need rest to experience safe exercising. Taking care of your mental health requires taking care of your physical health. 

God offers the relief you need

The sense of pleasure and relief you’re searching for through substances can be found in the heart of God. God never intended for you to become addicted to pleasure-seeking activities. He wants you to experience the wealth of life through a sound and sober mind. Being clean and sober allows you to fully be in the present moment where the beauty of God exists.

I pray that after this convo you are 1% more present and that you’re closer and committed to embracing a life of sobriety.

With peace,

Veronica Speaks