Making Sobriety Count: A New Approach to Long-Term Recovery
As we embark on the journey to sobriety, often the mantra we hear is “take it one day at a time.” However, what if this common advice carries an undercurrent of potential relapse?
Whether you are sober curious or actively pursuing sobriety, it’s essential to understand the pitfalls of this approach and consider a more empowering alternative.
Traditionally, the path to sobriety has been defined by counting the days since your last drink. This is a measure of progress that can create an emotional bond, a ticking clock with each day signaling another potential loss. But this is not the ideal way to manage your recovery journey. Instead, rather than counting the days since your last drink, why not focus on making those days count?
Make them days full of love, joy, excitement, and personal growth.
Understanding this shift is vital. Many people have confessed that the craving usually returns after one or two weeks of sobriety, sometimes even after 30 days. This cycle of craving and denial, driven by subconscious anxiety, is often triggered by the very act of counting days. By switching the focus to making days count, you shift from a mindset of lack to one of abundance and involvement in your own life.
When you’re immersed in living your life to the fullest, counting days becomes irrelevant. The focus is no longer on saying no to alcohol but on saying yes to a fulfilling life. It’s about being so involved in your own happiness and well-being that you naturally steer clear of harmful habits. In essence, happy people rarely need to say no to alcohol because they’re too busy saying yes to life.
If this shift from counting days to making days count seems challenging, reach out for support. As an ex-alcoholic and liver failure survivor, I’ve helped thousands of people navigate their path to sobriety. Visit Beyond Sober and Sober Not Sober for more resources and guidance.
Remember, you are not alone on this journey, and help is always within reach.
K O H D I | Beyond Sober
