3 Tips to Help You Stay Sober (and Actually Enjoy It)

Episode 150: 3 Tips To Help You Stay Sober

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"Your actions today with alcohol will affect you down the road. You might not see it now, but it will catch up.
Whether it’s your health, your happiness, your family life, or your career." 

Staying sober long term takes more than willpower. It’s about building habits and boundaries that protect your energy, mindset, and recovery every single day. In this episode, you’ll get three powerful tips to stay sober that you can start using right now to keep your alcohol-free life strong.

What’s inside this episode:

• How to stay sober long term by fully accepting that you can’t drink alcohol (and why that’s a good thing)
  
• Sober living tips to protect your energy so burnout and overwhelm don’t lead to relapse
  
• Support for sobriety that actually works for where you are now, and when it’s time to find something new
  

These proven strategies will help you prevent relapse, reconnect with your why, and create an alcohol-free life you’re genuinely excited to live.

If you’ve made the decision to quit drinking, you already know that staying sober takes more than just saying “I’m done.”
After 11 years alcohol-free, I’ve learned what really helps you stay sober long term, without feeling like you’re white-knuckling your way through life.

Today, I’m sharing three powerful tips to stay sober that have worked for me and countless people I’ve coached. These aren’t quick fixes, they’re habits you can build into your everyday life so sobriety feels like freedom, not punishment.

Tip #1 — Accept That You Cannot Drink Alcohol

This is the truth no one likes to hear, but it’s the foundation of lasting sobriety: you cannot drink alcohol.

Acceptance is a process, and it doesn’t happen overnight. You don’t have to label yourself if you don’t want to, but you do have to admit that alcohol is no longer serving you.

Try creating a daily affirmation, such as:

• “I am grateful for my alcohol-free life.”
  
• “Letting go of alcohol is the best decision I’ve ever made.”
  
  

Your why will change over time. In the early days, my reason was simple: I didn’t want to lose my rescue cat again. Later, it became about creating a family without the chaos of addiction. Today, my son is my strongest why.

If self-love feels hard right now, love something greater than you: a pet, your kids, your partner, your faith, and keep the promise you’ve made to them. The self-love will follow.

Tip #2 — Protect Your Energy to Protect Your Sobriety

One of the most overlooked ways to stay sober is managing your energy. Early sobriety brings clarity, and you’ll start noticing just how much certain people, places, and commitments drain you.

Overcommitting your time and energy can lead straight to burnout, and burnout can lead to relapse.

Ask yourself:

• Do I need to attend every social event I’m invited to?
  
  
• Am I working longer hours than necessary out of habit?
  
  
• Are there relationships that leave me feeling resentful or exhausted?
  
  

Your calendar should support your recovery, not sabotage it. Cut back on the “obligation” activities that leave you drained by Friday night. Set boundaries with your time, your energy, and your relationships.

Tip #3 — Find Support That Works for You

Support is one of the most important tools in maintaining sobriety, but it has to be the right kind of support.

Maybe that’s therapy, a sober coach, a recovery group, a church community, or an online membership. If your current support system isn’t helping you grow, it’s okay to move on. Comfort zones can keep you stuck, growth happens when you step outside them.

Ask yourself:

• Is my current support helping me stay sober and move forward?
  
  
• Do I need to work on emotional sobriety, boundaries, or self-sabotage?
  
  
• Would a new perspective help me break through where I’m stuck?
  
  

If it’s not working, find something new. You’re not betraying anyone by choosing the support that truly helps you thrive.

Final Thoughts on Staying Sober

These three tips: acceptance, protecting your energy, and finding the right support have never failed me. They’re simple, but they’re powerful, and they can transform your sober journey.

Don’t just read this and think, “Yeah, that’s good advice.” Apply it. Write your affirmation, clear your schedule, and check in with your support system this week.

You deserve a life you don’t want to escape from. Let’s build it, one alcohol-free day at a time.

Thank you for listening!

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Resources mentioned in this episode:

The Fix

Exact Nature, use code SV20

Next Level Sober Support Self-Guided

Other ways to enjoy this episode: Read the Transcript  
Click here to listen to episode 150 of the Sober Vibes podcast.