Getting sober for a new year

How has this year been for you? It's something we are all considering as we look back at how we've lived over the last 12 months and with a new year on the horizon, we might be thinking about what we want to change next year. Getting sober for a new year is always a good idea.

Hard habits to break

Most of us have a few vices, whether it be eating too many unhealthy foods, not exercising regularly or not getting enough sleep. Unhealthy patterns and habits are always hard to break but they are mostly possible to shift with the right support, motivation and timing.

When it comes to drinking alcohol, you'd be hard pressed to find any regular drinker that hasn't overindulged occasionally. It's easy to have a few too many at times but most people will pull back and regulate their consumption to healthy levels when needed.

What if you have lost control of your drinking?

But what if your drinking isn't like that? What if you can't stop once you start? What if you always drink more than you intend to? What if you're constantly breaking promises to yourself and others about slowing down or stopping alcohol altogether? What if you hide what you're drinking? What if you have lost control?

Why getting sober for a new year can start right now

If you have a serious problem with alcohol, stopping drinking is not simple. Just waking up on 1 January and deciding that you'll turn over a new leaf and never drink again is highly unlikely to work in the long term.

Getting sober for the new year is something to celebrate, without alcohol.

Instead of thinking of getting sober as a 'one-and-done' event, consider thinking of it as a process. Here are the main stages of the sobriety process:

• Fully accepting that you have a problem with alcohol and that your own efforts to stop drinking haven't worked.

• Making a decision that abstinence from alcohol is your goal.

• Visiting your GP for medical assessment. This is important if you drink heavily - you may need medical support to stop drinking safely.

• Sorting your personal support - this could be asking your family and friends to support you in making sober choices.

• Enlisting education and support from qualified professionals. If you're unsure of where to start, Ocean Hills has a staff of qualified clinicians who are highly trained in supporting people to build sustainable sobriety.

• Starting the daily practice of sobriety. This is where detailed plans and ongoing supports are crucial, and why it's so helpful to work with a professional on giving yourself the best start to sobriety.

So, if you are thinking that the new year will be a good time for you to stop drinking for good, don't wait until 1 January. You can put plans in place to get yourself ready for a sober start that will actually work, and keep on working.

If you're looking for support to get sober for yourself or someone you love, give Elaine a call on 027 573 7744 for a confidential chat.