Living in a city has a lot of perks. You generally will have the opportunity to get out and do something, both day and night. There are celebrations, festivals, events, and all kinds of fun things to do. Most cities are so full of personality that you can allow yourself to be consumed with the culture found in your city – no matter what type of arts you may want to indulge in.
Unfortunately, as much as you can gain by living in a city, you may also find yourself in some tricky situations if you are trying to live a sober lifestyle. Cities offer you a lot of chances to interact in social engagements. Combine this with a multitude of people who come from all walks of life and all backgrounds and you may find yourself face to face with many opportunities of temptation.
If you want to remain sober in the city, then you are going to need to get connected, make some friends, get a routine and stick with it, develop a healthy lifestyle, and learn tricks for surviving the nightlife.
Get (and Stay) Connected
While living in a city, connections are important. That is, connections to the people and organizations that can benefit you. This is incredibly important for someone who is in sobriety. You will want to know where you can find meetings, help, and guidance throughout the city. Once you do associate yourself with an organization, acclimate yourself to their meeting times and locations, so you always know when and where you can turn.
By getting connected with sober communities, you open yourself up to new – sober – opportunities. For example, participating in social functions and outings – such as attending movies, playing mini golf, enjoying a beach day, etc. These positive, sober activities allow you to get out there and meet new people without the fear of facing temptation.
Expand Your Social Circle
It is important to make friends since positive social interaction is necessary for a full and healthy life. Therefore, in a city full of thousands of people, you should be able to find a couple of friends.
Of course, it is not necessary that your friends are sober, as well. However, it may make your life a bit easier if you find yourself engaging with a few individuals who view drugs and alcohol the same way you do. By connecting with sober organizations and engaging in social activities, you can easily meet others who are dealing with the some of the same obstacles in life that you are.
Sometimes it is easy to get lost in a big city if you are all alone. For someone who is trying to succeed at sobriety, this loneliness can build recovery roadblocks and detrimental impacts.
Stick With a Routine
When you think of a routine, you may think of an elderly individual or even the movie, Groundhog Day. Neither of those lives likely sound overly exciting. However, believe it or not, developing a routine in your life and sticking with it can make your life in a city more manageable.
- Frequent neighborhoods that you are familiar with. If you have to go to places that are new to you, then do your research on the area before you go.
- Drive yourself or take public transportation to and from your destination. Do not accept rides from people you don’t know – as this can land you in unfavorable situations.
- Go to bed and wake up at the same time every day. This ensures that you are getting a full night’s rest which is very important. A full night’s rest contributes to both your physical and mental health. Make it a habit so you can make wise choices each day.
Certain situations or circumstances can make someone in sober living quite uncomfortable, causing an increase in stress and emotions. Sadly, questionable choices can occur. Consider this: you are
Develop an Exercise Regimen
Exercise is incredibly important for your well-being and your sober-living success. Not only does it get your heart pumping and your blood flowing, but it also relieves stress and makes you feel good. In your city, there are many things that you can do with your exercise routine. These include:
- Spend time going for a run, jog, or walk at a local park.
- Discover new hiking trails on the outskirts of the city.
- Join a gym.
- Join a fitness group.
- Sign up for adult league sports, such as softball or soccer.
Exercise is crucial for your sobriety. Use your city to make exercising seem less like a chore and more like an exciting activity – and something you look forward to doing. Get out there and discover all that your city has to offer you and your health.
Beware of Nightlife Temptations
Nightlife is something those in sober-living tend to shy away from – and for good reason. After all, finding fun and social activities that include bars, clubs, or other types of nightlife usually involves alcohol and easy access to a plethora of other substances. If you don’t see that flashing red warning sign yet, you should.
Immersing yourself in these types of environments can lead to great temptation and a high chance of encountering hurdles in your sober life. Take caution using these suggestions:
- Suggest spending time at coffee shops, rather than bars.
- Consider activities, such as miniature golf, bowling, movies, etc.
- Choose a non-alcoholic drink as your new drink of choice.
- Spend time with friends who are also sober.
You can still have fun and experience life in the city without spending your time in bars. Don’t feel like you have to explain yourself and don’t feel obligated to attend social functions at places that may make you uneasy.
There are a lot of things that you can do to help maintain your sobriety while living in the city. The important thing is to develop a healthy routine with healthy connections – and make some awesome friends along the way. Don’t shy away from the city – embrace it and all that it has to offer you.
Dr. Deena is the Chief Clinical Officer of Westwind Recovery®, an award-winning outpatient treatment center in Los Angeles where she oversees the clinical and administrative program and treatment methods. Dr. Deena is a doctor of psychology and licensed clinical social worker since 1993. LCSW #20628. Originally from the East Coast, Dr. Deena has worked running treatment centers, worked as a therapist in psychiatric hospitals as well as school settings and currently has a thriving private practice in the LA area. Dr. Deena has appeared regularly on the Dr. Phil Show as an expert since 2003. She has also been featured on many other TV shows, podcasts and has contributed to written publications as well as podcasts.
