Stages of Alcohol Recovery
By Adrienne Kaliszak
There are six stages of change in alcohol recovery. My source for learning about these changes are from Alcoholic Recovery Stages | The Six Stages of Recovery (drugrehab.com) I put my own spin, words, and thoughts on these stages. Hope it is helpful and relatable to you.
Precontemplation Stage
During the precontemplation stage people are not ready for change. They are generally in denial about how their drinking is affecting themselves or the ones they love. During the precontemplation stage people often don’t know or realise the consequences of their behavior.
They are in a state of ignorant bliss, thinking they don’t need to change or don’t know how to change.
When I was in the precontemplation stage I drank and drank not worrying about the consequences. I didn’t take into consideration what alcohol was doing to me physically, mentally, or spiritually. I was oblivious to the damage I was causing myself, my husband, and my daughter.
Contemplation Stage
During the contemplation stage an individual may start to become aware of the positive benefits of putting alcohol behind them. They may realise there are some benefits, but may look at stopping drinking as if they are losing something rather than realising all they can gain by moving forward with a sober lifestyle. People generally don’t quit during the contemplation stage.
The first time I ever quit I didn’t reach the contemplation stage until my life was in shambles and I couldn’t go on drinking anymore. I was depressed, suicidal and felt worthless.
Preparation Stage
In the preparation stage we make a plan of action to go about getting alcohol out of our lives. This may include researching what your options are. Rehab, therapy, Be Sober, AA the choices are endless.
When I reached the preparation stage, the first time I quit, I began searching the internet about quitting alcohol. Researching different options for quitting.
Action Stage
The action stage is when we start changing our drinking behavior. We begin learning about how we can quit alcohol through googling, reading quit lit, watching YouTube videos or listening to sobriety podcasts. We begin taking steps to put alcohol behind us, maybe joining a group like Be Sober, This Naked Mind, or AA. Journaling, removing alcohol from the house, creating a list of alternative actions other than drinking, creating a list of what to do if you become tempted to drink might be steps you begin to take at this time. We begin gaining sober days in this stage, rewarding ourselves along the way is important.
My plan of action during my first quit that stuck was to join an on-line sobriety program, and when finding I couldn’t do it on my own I checked myself into a hospital to gain some distance and get some extra help.
Maintenance Stage
The maintenance stage is about continuing on your sobriety journey and avoiding any hurdles or temptations. It’s keeping up with your journaling, therapy, groups, podcasts, videos, meditation or any other tools you use to live a sober lifestyle. It’s important to review your why’s of quitting often and stay on top of your sobriety. Make being sober a top priority. Never be afraid to reach out for help either and be there for others who may need help along the way.
Upon reaching the maintenance stage with my current quit, I am involved with the Be Sober community. I talk regularly with others who are also living a sober life. I reach out when temptation is strong. I read quit lit and daily affirmation devotionals. I write about sobriety and other mental health topics. I watch videos on alcohol recovery. I have interests that keep my mind and hands occupied. I help others when I can. I also stay aware of my thoughts and if they’re headed south will reach out either to my husband or others who I’m friends with in the Be Sober community.
Relapse Stage
Not everyone will go through this stage. I did though, in 2017. I had 2 years of sobriety and 4 days after reaching this milestone I was in a situation I wasn’t prepared for and drank alcohol. When I drank it was as if nothing changed from when I previously drank, I drank 8 beers no problem. This led to me drinking on and off for 3 months. I then gained my sobriety again for a 9 months stretch. After that relapse it took me another 2 and a half years to get my current quit, which is just over 15 months.
I learned from those relapses, so all was not lost. I learned I can’t have just one. I also learned not to look at it as never being able to drink again, instead I look at the day ahead and do my best to stay in the moment. I’ve learned community is so important to maintain a sober lifestyle and it needs to be your number one priority. I learned I haven’t lost a thing by being sober, I’ve gained more than I could ever imagine; my daughter adores me, my husband and I are tighter than ever, I’m able to do activities I love now, I feel more confident and I like myself now.
No matter what stage of alcohol recovery you’re in, be patient with yourself, be kind to yourself, reach out when you’re struggling, and NEVER GIVE UP! I have no doubt that
you CAN do this and you will, if you persevere and educate yourself. Rooting for you and so proud of you for doing this.
Peace, Adrienne
'Your windshield is bigger than your rearview for a reason; the mirror is there to help you glance back at where you’ve been, but if you focus too much on it, you’re going to crash.
We are ALL affected by our past and we are ALL reminded of it now and again, but we cannot live in it unless we want to repeat it over and over again. We need to learn from it, take lessons from it, know what’s good (and not good) for us, and adjust accordingly. Mistakes are only mistakes until we learn from them and then they become lessons.'
Love this from the Your Tango blog, it sums up the need for a forward focused growth mindset in sobriety and life in general.
#keepmovingforward #positivequotes #positivity #yourtango #growthmindset #growthquotes #motivationalquotes #motivation #soberquotes #sobrietyquotes #lookforwardnotback #leavethepastbehind #movingforward #quotestagram #selfhelpquotes #positivemindset
Having an amazing time in #Japan and managed to head south out of Tokyo for a few days today to Kamakura by the ocean.
The drinking culture here is totally different to the UK, but all the bars are full, not many AF options either, but I wouldn’t want to visit such an amazing place and spoil it by boozing.
#tokyo #kamakura #tokyonight #tokyoneon #kamakuratemple #japaneseshrine #buddhisttemple #japantravel #tokyotrip #ramen #japaneseculture #japanlife
Wow! Rock Bottom & Rising has won the GOLD medal at the @nautilusbookawards for the best Addiction Recovery Memoir.
The book has 21 incredible stories by real people who have quit alcohol and turned their lives around, it is a truly inspirational read.
So this award is for everyone who contributed to the book, congratulations and thank you!
#bestbooks #nautilusbookaward #nautilusbookawards #nautilusbookawardwinner #sheldonpress #hatchettebookgroup #hodderandstoughton #addictionbooks #adictionmemoir #alcoholbooks #sobrietybooks #soberbooks
Woohoo! Just seen one of my books on the shelf @theworksstores #anxiety #anxietybook #theworks #bookshop #selfhelpbook #bookstore
Just finished recording a piece with @itvnews about the growing number of people quitting alcohol and the sobriety movement as a whole.
It airs next week, so look out for my shiny head on your TV screens.
#itv #sobriety #itvnews #sobermovement #sobercoach #tvinterview #newsstory #alcoholfree #soberlife #sobrietyrules
These two inspiring books from leading sobriety coach Simon Chapple are out today!
Read more...Repost @sheldon.press
Featuring contributions from some of the most well-known personalities in the Sober Space, Rock Bottom and Rising brings us real, raw, relatable stories from individuals who’ve found joy in an alcohol-free life.
The perfect companion to Rock Bottom – The Sober Life Journal captures the essence of journaling and provides space to grow and develop as you embark on a sober life. With hundreds of writing prompts, pages for reflection, focus, inspiration and guided exercises, this beautiful new journal supports your intention to create something lasting and meaningful to accompany you on your journey to an alcohol-free life.
Ideal for anyone contemplating a sober life come the new year, or from #dryjanuary.
Find out more in our bio.
——
#RockBottomandRising #SoberLife #Sober #SobrietyCoach #Sobriety #StopDrinking #Freefromalcohol #AlcoholFree #SoberBook #SimonChapple #BeSober #Howtogosober #quittingalcohol #teetotaller #teetotal #alcoholism #aa #cutdown #alcoholic #thisnakedmind #addiction #problemdrinking #soberjourney
Watch the best videos from my YouTube Stop Drinking Channel
Watch my video below – The Best Quit Alcohol Books
Read on for more of the very best quit alcohol books.
———————————————————————————————————–
MORE HELPFUL RESOURCES FOR STOPPING DRINKING ALCOHOL
———————————————————————————————————–
📖 GET MY NEW STOP DRINKING BOOK HERE – http://a-fwd.com/asin-uk=1529357586&asin-com=1529357586
⚠️ Subscribe to my YouTube channel – there are new stop drinking videos every Tuesday and Thursday.
Don’t miss another video – click below to Subscribe and also click on the Bell Icon to be notified about new videos.
Subscribe to my channel here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkDiUhERjbdHN0kNXbD8UBQ/?sub_confirmation=1
💡 14 Days Free – Join my Stop Drinking Program:
https://www.joinbesober.com
🌎 Connect with me on a personal level – follow on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/besoberandquit
👥 Join my awesome free private Facebook community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1960061840706240/
If you need some inspiration, check this out…
🎥❤️🔥 My Top 5 favourite videos to help you quit alcohol on your own – watch these now if you are curious about sobriety and becoming alcohol-free:
1 – How I quit alcohol after 40 years – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H0ydqjrN0AI
2 – Awesome tactic to stop alcohol cravings fast – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GedYoBZ_W2M&t
3 – 7 tips for the first week of sobriety – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pq4x0vBEwMw&t
4 – Does alcohol cause depression and anxiety – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tkrQpZPHBls&t
5 – Weight loss and stopping drinking alcohol – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xyw9jM0kj5U&t
🌞 MUST WATCH – Check out my most viewed YouTube video – 7 Big Mistakes to Avoid in Sobriety – here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NtBxWrju_ng&t
📚 Get the first 10 chapters of my first book totally free here: https://besober.co.uk/2020/08/18/stop-drinking-books-by-simon-chapple-recommended-quit-alcohol-books/
