Reasons to Stay Motivated to Stay Sober

If you’re in recovery, staying motivated to remain sober can be a constant challenge. While the early days of recovery may be marked by excitement and a newfound purpose, it's not uncommon for that initial motivation to wane over time.

Struggling with your motivation on your journey to sobriety isn’t a cause for alarm. However, staying motivated is key to maintaining sobriety and preventing relapse. You’ll need to monitor and renew your motivation continuously throughout your recovery.

The good news is that you’re not the first person to tread this path or to find your motivation slumping. Motivation has been the subject of research and experimentation for many years, meaning there are plenty of resources you can tap into when you’re struggling.

What is Motivation?

Understanding motivation and how it works can help you navigate its ebbs and flows. At its core, motivation drives us to pursue our goals and dreams. It is the force that propels us forward, giving us the energy and focus we need to achieve what we want.

In the context of recovery, motivation is what helps individuals to stay sober and overcome the challenges they may face in their journey towards long-term recovery. It’s a requirement for successfully achieving sobriety and preventing relapse. As we know, someone with no motivation to recover is unlikely to succeed in a treatment program.

Whether you’ve begun recovery already or are just starting to contemplate it, you have some level of motivation to become or explore becoming sober.

Intrinsic vs. External Motivation

There are two types of motivation: intrinsic and external.

Intrinsic motivation comes from within, driven by a personal desire to achieve a goal or fulfill a personal need. Your intrinsic motivations to pursue sober living may include:

Personal growth and self-improvement – Many people in recovery find that overcoming addiction can guide them to further self-discovery.
Improved physical and mental health – Addiction can take a toll on your physical and mental health. Many people in recovery are motivated to stay sober to improve their health and well-being.
Sense of purpose and meaning – Becoming sober can allow you to pursue your passions and goals and to live a life that is fulfilling and meaningful. A sense of fulfillment is a strong intrinsic motivator.
Increased self-esteem and confidence – Overcoming addiction can be challenging, which may lead you to feel a sense of pride and accomplishment in your ability to stay sober.
Improved relationships – Addiction can strain relationships with loved ones, and you may be motivated to stay sober to repair and strengthen these relationships.

External motivation, on the other hand, comes from external sources such as rewards, praise, or other people's expectations. Intrinsic motivation tends to be more sustainable and long-lasting than external motivation, though both are important.

Examples of external motivations that keep you going during recovery include:

Support from family and friends – The encouragement and support of loved ones can be a powerful external motivator during recovery.
Fear of consequences – Fear of negative consequences, such as losing a job, relationship, or custody of children, can be a strong external motivator to stay sober.
Legal pressure – Court-ordered treatment or probation can provide external motivation for you to stay sober.
Professional obligations – If you’re in a profession such as healthcare or law enforcement, staying sober may be required for continued employment.
Rewards and incentives – Positive reinforcement, such as rewards or incentives for staying sober, can provide external motivation for people in recovery.

External motivation can be helpful in getting you started on the path to recovery, but it may not be enough to sustain long-term sobriety. Intrinsic motivation, or motivation that comes from within, is often necessary for lasting change.

Ways to Stay Motivated During Recovery

You may have strong reasons to stay motivated to achieve sobriety. However, the act of remaining motivated constantly is tiring. Getting creative with different motivational methods can push you forward when it feels tough.

Here are a few ideas on staying motivated in your recovery journey.

Set Goals

Setting clear and achievable goals can give you a sense of purpose and direction. It’s also a tangible way to measure and observe your progress.

Examples of goals to set during recovery include:

Eating a healthier diet or exercising more frequently
Practicing meditation or mindfulness techniques
Rebuilding relationships over time
Furthering your education or career

What kind of goals you set is ultimately up to you and what feels like a true measurement of your progress in recovery.

Celebrate Milestones

Celebrating your progress, no matter how small can help you stay motivated and committed to your recovery. Milestones can be very personal to you, or you can follow a predetermined set of milestones dictated by a program like 12-step.

No matter what milestones you celebrate, honoring how far you’ve come will motivate you to go further.

Stay Connected

Surrounding yourself with a supportive community can help you stay motivated and in touch with others. Recovery isn’t a journey you can take alone. You’ll need the help of trained professionals and your support group to make progress.

It’s also wise to have a support network of friends, family, or loved ones you can turn to when recovery feels challenging. They can encourage and cheer you on so you don’t lose momentum.

Take Care of Yourself

Taking care of your physical, emotional, and mental health can help you stay energized and focused on your recovery goals. If you run yourself ragged, you’ll be more likely to turn to negative coping mechanisms at the end of the day.

Instead, dedicate at least 20 minutes a day to self-care, whatever that means for you.

Perform Acts of Service

One of the best ways to remind yourself of your reasons for getting sober is to serve others. You’ll help others in need and realize how sobriety empowers you to be a positive force in your community.

Get started by volunteering at a local charity, like a shelter or a soup kitchen. You’ll connect with other like-minded people and get a sense of satisfaction at the end of every shift.

Get Motivated Today

Staying motivated is crucial to achieving and maintaining sobriety. By identifying intrinsic reasons to stay motivated and implementing strategies to maintain that motivation, you can successfully overcome the challenges of addiction and thrive in your recovery journey.

Remember, you're not alone in this journey. Jackson House Addiction Treatment and Recovery Centers is here to help you find the motivation and support you need to succeed. We understand the challenges that come with recovery, and we're here to help.

Our programs are designed to provide a positive, supportive environment for those seeking to overcome addiction and maintain long-term sobriety. If you're struggling to stay motivated or are looking for ways to enhance your recovery journey, reach out to us today.

14 Apr 2023

Sobriety