What’s the biggest problem when we start to create sobriety? Often, we attempt to create sobriety in environments that actually promote addiction. This environment is a key reason for low motivation in sobriety. The foundations of Addiction Alchemy are to cultivate an environment that supports sobriety. When I refer to ‘environment,’ I mean factors such as lifestyle, habits, physical health, and mental well-being.
In this article, I will share the key principles that enable you to create an environment that supports your sobriety.
The cornerstone of lasting motivation for sobriety
Let me share with you the main principle for lasting motivation in sobriety. This is the foundation of your environment. The key to lasting motivation is to approach sobriety the same way athletes approach their sport. What do athletes embody? Dedication. They commit wholeheartedly to honing their craft. Every aspect of their lives is designed to improve their performance.
That’s what we have to do when approaching sobriety. It’s about becoming athletes of sobriety. The first step for lasting motivation in sobriety is to cultivate the mindset of an athlete. The lasting motivation is the effect, and mindset is the cause of the effect.
The effects of lasting motivation in sobriety
What is our ultimate goal in sobriety? Is it simply to be without alcohol, to create a fulfilling life after addiction, or to attain lasting motivation in sobriety? All of these are commendable goals. However, there is one key element that unites them: they are all effects. We don’t get good results if we only focus on effects. We have to dive deeper and focus on the causes.
Let me share the secret to sobriety: we need to understand the causes that create the effects of sobriety. By designing our environment to encourage these effects, we set ourselves up for success.
The best part is that when you understand the effects and causes of addiction, motivation for sobriety becomes unnecessary. The harsh truth is that you can’t always rely on motivation, as it tends to come and go. What you can always depend on is discipline. With discipline, you can generate the motivation needed by taking consistent, focused actions.
Initially, you may rely on motivation to guide your journey. However, once you instill new causes within yourself, sobriety begins to emerge naturally. You won’t just try to be without alcohol; it will become a natural part of your new way of life. This is your new nature.
The number one effect of lasting sobriety is being comfortable in your own skin. This means being okay with your life and at peace with your past. When you truly embrace who you are, I can guarantee that addiction will no longer have a hold on you
The way to learn to be comfortable with yourself is to learn to understand yourself. Understanding creates compassion and acceptance. The effect of compassion and acceptance is being okay with yourself. It’s the best gift that any addict can give him or herself.
The causes of lasting motivation for sobriety
Now that we understand the effects of lasting sobriety, we have a clear roadmap to follow. The next step is to create an environment that encourages these effects. The beauty of the law of cause and effect is its impartiality; it applies to everyone equally. By consistently engaging in the right actions, success is within reach.
Let’s explore the habits that will help you embrace who you are and cultivate lasting sobriety.
Meditation
Meditation is a must for lasting sobriety because you can’t solve addiction from the same level of consciousness that you created it. It’s the perfect way to elevate your consciousness to a level where you can solve your addiction. Meditation also raises your self-awareness, and you learn to know yourself in a deeper way. There are many different models of meditation. In the beginning, it’s good to try different models and find the model that fits your lifestyle. Meditation is the foundation of learning to understand yourself because it creates a new awareness where you can learn to understand yourself in a deeper way.
Journaling
Journaling can get you to the next level of your sobriety. It brings you so much clarity in your life. Clarity is the key. No matter what you do, you need clarity. You can think of it this way. If you just keep thinking about your problems, they stay in your mind, but if you write them down, you get them out of your head. That’s what journaling does. It gets the problems out of your head. You become your own therapist and coach.
Triggers
This may be one of the most effective ways to solve your addiction. Triggers are gifts. I want you to start studying your triggers. We don’t get triggered because of other people, but triggers reveal what’s already in us. The addiction is the result of a trigger. It’s a coping mechanism of part of ourselves that has been triggered. When we start to study our triggers, we can learn the reason for our addictions. Triggers are your map out of the addiction. When we heal the part of ourselves that has the addiction, lasting sobriety is a natural outcome.
Reading
Reading is a key to lasting motivation in sobriety. Ultimately, it can lead to lasting sobriety itself. I remember when I discovered the power of reading during my own sobriety journey. I essentially read my way to recovery.
Reading helps you understand addiction and yourself better. We tend to take action based on what we believe to be true. For example, if you believe that addiction is a disease, you may feel trapped. This belief can lead you to take actions focused on merely surviving rather than building a great life.
In essence, our beliefs shape our reality. This is where the power of reading comes in: it upgrades your beliefs. When you adopt new beliefs, you create new actions. And new actions lead to new destinations.
It’s important to note that not all reading has the same impact. While reading fiction is enjoyable, it typically doesn’t contribute to this process. Instead, focus on reading about topics like addiction, psychology, health, philosophy, and mindset. These subjects can inspire change and foster lasting recovery.
Exercising
There is a saying Strong body, strong mind. When we are physically strong, we will be mentally strong also. Having a daily exercise routine helps you to have lasting motivation in sobriety. It improves your mood. It is a perfect way to reduce your stress. Everything that improves your emotional life will help you in your sobriety because, at the end of the day, addiction is an emotional problem. We do addictive behaviors because of uncomfortable emotions. By learning to enhance our emotional lives, we can create new coping mechanisms, such as exercise. This approach increases our chances of succeeding in sobriety.
Final Thoughts on the Causes of Lasting Sobriety
What is the biggest obstacle to achieving lasting sobriety? It’s often the sameness of daily efforts. Engaging in the same routines every day can become boring, and that’s where many people stumble.
Most individuals may read about these principles but never take action. Unfortunately, those who remain passive are typically the ones who struggle to achieve lasting sobriety. The question is, what will you do? How bad do you want it? Are you ready to sacrifice your comfort in the sake of your sobriety?
We need to stop merely wishing for lasting sobriety. Instead, we must understand its underlying causes and adopt the habits that support these causes in our daily lives.
Initially, it takes discipline to make these changes. Through my journey, I’ve read dozens of habit books, and one key principle stands out: micro changes are the most effective strategy for building new habits.
Begin with small, manageable steps and implement them one by one. This is how you become an athlete of sobriety
Conclusion
The main message of this article is clear: to achieve lasting sobriety, you must understand its underlying causes. Your environment plays a crucial role in this process. You don’t need endless motivation; instead, you need a supportive environment that encourages your sobriety.
Prioritizing the development of this supportive environment can be a game-changer. It significantly enhances your chances of achieving lasting sobriety. When you approach sobriety as an athlete would, you embrace a lifestyle that aligns with your goals.
You no longer have to simply wish for sobriety; it naturally flows from the life you cultivate. This principle extends beyond sobriety and applies to any goal you wish to achieve. First, understand the environment that leads to the desired results. Therefore, achieving lasting sobriety is a matter of timing.
