Getting sober was probably no cake walk for you in the beginning and maintaining your sobriety really focuses on two things: having a connection with a Higher Power and having emotional sobriety. The connection with a Higher Power entails prayer and meditation. Emotional sobriety involves practicing spiritual principles which is not always easy to achieve.

A person who has battled addiction in the past and is now sober is regarded as a good person, although they could keep having problems with people, places, and things with no real insight as to why. Under the influence you were most likely selfish, self-centered, dishonest, and fearful. If you do not work on yourself in these areas of your recovery, you might be sober, but might be what is considered a “dry drunk” with no emotional sobriety.

The Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous page 99 states, “These things will come to pass naturally and in good time provided, however, the alcoholic continues to demonstrate that he can be sober, considerate, and helpful, regardless of what anyone says or does.”

This excerpt out the book really puts into perspective what a person should try and strive for every day in their recovery. By staying sober, someone has a better chance at being considerate and helpful then they would if they were loaded. Practicing these principles in all your affairs will no doubt improve your emotional sobriety and can really help you to become the person you were meant to be.

The Big Book also explains, “Of course, we all fall much below this standard many times. But we must try to repair the damage immediately lest we pay the penalty by a spree.”

You will continue to make mistakes in sobriety which will cause significant growth in your recovery if you remain sober and work on changing your behaviors moving forward. Do not be so hard on yourself because there are a lot of great things that can come out of your lapse in judgements. Compassion, tolerance, and humility are just a few promises that can come true from simply cleaning up your side of the street as these things continue pop up.

Recovery offers so many great things to come if you buckle in and learn about your character defects. By looking at yourself instead of others, you are well on your way to living the 3 words that they big book describes as the key to emotional sobriety – sober, considerate, and helpful, no matter what anyone else says or does.

If you are battling drug and alcohol addiction, The Kimberly Center can help assist you into your recovery. One of our primary purposes is to help you to restore your life free from abuse and destructive behaviors. We treat our clients on an individual basis to ensure their well-being.

Call us today to begin: 855-4-KCENTER (855-452-3683)