The 3 Keys To Achieving Long Term Sobriety
Author: Patrick Meninga

The statistics are frightening when it comes to recovery
from drug and alcohol addiction. Based on most available
data, very few will manage to achieve continuous, long-term
sobriety. While it certainly is possible, the odds are
stacked against us. Many will struggle and fail to achieve
this goal, so if you want to succeed, you need to have a
firm grip on a few key principles that can propel you to
success.

1. The zero tolerance policy

It is amazing how much this concept gets avoided and lost
in the shuffle of spiritual wisdom in typical recovery
circles. The idea is simple and powerful: you make a pact
with yourself that you will not use drugs and alcohol no
matter what, period. Then the rest of your life is simply
structured around maintaining peace, serenity, and growth
in pursuit of this goal.

But the key here is that the zero tolerance policy must
come first. You simply "cannot go there." Practicing this
can have a real impact on your overall level of happiness
as well.

For example, if you are having a rough day and are
experiencing thoughts of wanting to drink or use drugs, you
have to use the zero tolerance policy and shut this down
immediately. If you find that this isn't working, and the
thoughts of using keep returning, then you must take
immediate action to overcome your craving....before it
escalates further. Different people might have different
coping mechanisms for this. For example, some might call a
friend or a sponsor, others might go to a meeting, and
others might call a friend in recovery and share about
their thoughts of using. Whatever works for you is what
works....the key is that you need to be proactive in this
solution and always maintain the zero tolerance policy with
yourself. This means shutting down any glorification or
romancing thoughts of drinking or using drugs.

2. Holistic approach

As your recovery continues and start to accumulate more
time sober, the challenge of staying clean on a day-to-day
basis starts becoming a little easier, and actually finding
peace, serenity, and balance in your everyday life becomes
the new priority. Relapse is still a threat, and always
will be of course, but now the challenge starts shifting
away from simply abstinence and towards achieving something
greater with your life.

A holistic approach to recovery is what drives success in
this area. As your recovery progresses, life becomes
meaningful again, and the need for balance becomes
increasingly important as the recovering person mounts more
and more responsibilities in their life. There are a
number of ways that a broad, holistic approach to recovery
can facilitate achieving this balance for a lasting and
powerful sobriety.

3. Creative life with vision and purpose

Want to know what really motivates the recovering alcoholic
and has the potential to supercharge their recovery? The
answer lies in moving beyond mere abstinence from chemicals
and discovering the creative new life in recovery. This is
about finding your passion and purpose in a new life while
growing as a person and possibly helping other people in a
meaningful way. Life becomes exciting again and you start
to look forward to each new day.

Remember how exciting and fun the "good times" were when
you first started drinking and drugging? Those days are
gone forever, but you can start living with that same
passion and excitement in your life again by discovering
the creative life and applying the principles to your
recovery.


About the Author:

And now I invite you to learn more about the creative
theory of recovery. Visit
http://www.spiritualriver.com/