Leaving an Inpatient Treatment center can be a very anxiety ridden and overwhelming time. You are just starting to pick up the pieces of your life and finding out how you can put them back together in a healthy manner. People don’t stay sober because they got lucky or because they wanted it enough, they stay sober because they put in the correct actions. For myself, I have been to treatment several times and I found out the hard way that there is a path that has been laid out for you already, you must choose to now walk it. I’d like to lay out some essential things I did in early recovery that helped set a solid foundation and has kept me sober for 4 years now. 

Work On Your Humility

Humility can become a complicated topic, somebody could write a whole book on the subject. For me, I like to keep everything simple and humility to me is that act of being teachable. Coming into early recovery I HAD to acknowledge the fact that I was clueless on what I needed to do in order to stay sober. So many times previously, I thought I knew what to do and it ended horribly every single time! Clearly, I was in need of direction, not only in parts of my life but all of it. Once I acknowledged that fact, and completely listened to someone I trusted who had been where I had been before, my life took off like I couldn’t imagine. If you’re like me you have tried your way many times, and it hasn’t worked, try someone else’s way this time. Someone who managed to get out of the situation you are stuck in. 

Get A Support Network 

A problem I suffered from majorly in previous attempts at sobriety was trying to do everything myself. It was so hard to open up to another man not only about my life, but admitting that I was really suffering on the inside. I always wanted people to think that I was doing good, even if I was dying on the inside. That had to change, the good thing is I got to choose who I opened myself up to, I found people who I respected, that were sober, and had what I wanted. I brought everything to them, all my problems, my joys, my sadness and they were more than happy that I did. There is something about genuinely talking to others about my problems that makes them seem more possible to solve. Fortunately for me, my treatment center had an alumni program, which brought a very large sense of community to me right away. Regardless of your circumstance, find a meeting and meet some people. There is going to be a big part of you that does not want to do that, ignore that part, it is the part of you that has kept you in pain and suffering for years. 

Action Is Vital

Ultimately in early recovery, we are working on building a brand new life. We pretty much need to change everything, which is a tall and sometimes overwhelming order. If that’s the case, then there are actions we can take everyday to improve and build this new life. Whether it is finding/starting a new job, finding a sponsor, doing stepwork, going to a homegroup, eating healthier, exercising, finding a new hobby, the list could go on and on. When you wake up each day, just create a small task to accomplish. Not only will completing it feel good, before you know it you will have a nice, new little life you have built that is only going to get better. 

Guest post by Daniel Wittler