When you finally get sober, it’s a new beginning and fresh start. The real work begins to rebuild your life, relationships, and trust with others. Not to mention the rediscovery of yourself. Taking responsibility for what you’ve done is a great first step. Devoting time to putting sobriety first is absolutely necessary in order to assimilate back into society. At times it may seem selfish, but in the end, it’s the best thing you can do for yourself and others.
Devoting the time to sobriety just as you did for your addiction should come first. Putting what is most important first helps to set priorities and creates a sense of purpose. Recovery is not something that just happens. It takes time and work. Putting the effort in will pay dividends later on. Putting sobriety first will keep you alive, but also give you something to look upon as an accomplishment. Being able to set goals and reaching them is amazing.
When you get sober, the urge to help others comes in your mind a lot. Before you start helping others though, you have to make sure you are healthy enough to take that on. The weight of other peoples struggles will wear on you if you aren’t strong enough.
With the addictions you had, that wasn’t the real you. Instead you were masking yourself and emotions. Sobriety lets you see things clearly and for what they are. The idea that you are nothing without sobriety is real for a lot of people. Self awareness and care is not just for you but for those around you as well.
For more on putting sobriety first, visit Sober Nation.