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Tommy Recovery Coaching

Finding Motivation in Sobriety

When health officials in the United States started eliminating COVID-19 pandemic restrictions, a trend described as “soberversaries” began to emerge on social media. A soberversary is the same as the “sober birthday” tradition of Alcoholics Anonymous. In essence, it celebrates and commemorates the day when a decision was made to stop drinking and start recovering. Celebrities such as supermodel Chrissy Teigen and cast members of the Jersey Shore reality television series are examples of celebrities who celebrate their soberversary days along with their social media followers, and they do so as part of a motivational strategy to stay sober. A positive outlook is vital in addiction recovery, and it can be achieved through the following.

The Self-Efficacy Theory of Addiction Recovery

Recovery counselors refer to self-efficacy as the rational belief that people can overcome their addictions and maintain sobriety. In a 2014 study aptly named “Where There’s a Will There’s a Way,” researchers commissioned by the American Psychological Association conducted a longitudinal evaluation of more than 300 Americans recovering at residential facilities, and the findings show that patients who can articulate self-efficacy find it easier to stay sober. More than 70 percent of patients who understand self-efficacy works recover without complication. This finding runs parallel to research that shows most alcoholics and addicts successfully recover on their own even if they need to climb back from relapse.

The “Motivation for Sobriety” Theory

Recovery motivation is an inherent psychological construct similar to self-efficacy, and it’s surprisingly stable and resilient for most patients. Unlike self-efficacy, motivation for sobriety isn’t always rational. However, the findings of the previously mentioned study show that it’s strongly tied to positive outcomes. Patients may question their ability to manage self-efficacy, but they can consistently go on long sobriety streaks as long as they’re motivated to do so, even after falling into a deep relapse hole.

Getting Therapeutic Motivation

Anything is possible with sufficient motivation for sobriety and the right therapeutic approach. The treatment of substance use disorders may require clinical, behavioral, emotional, and practical interventions. The latter two types of interventions are the most delicate in terms of recovery motivation. 

Many patients who relapse during recovery do so out of sheer exasperation. This happens when frustration grows out of practical or emotional failures and is an important reason many patients take advantage of recovery coach services in Solana Beach. The work of these recovery support professionals is strongly centered on keeping patients motivated by helping them ease into their new lives under the rule of sobriety.

Gaining Motivation from Realistic Expectations

Addiction is an ugly reality. The deep shame and guilt that affect many alcoholics and drug addicts can be hard to shake, which is the reason many counselors and sober lifestyle coaches incorporate Acceptance and Compromise Therapy (ACT) into their treatment plans. Through ACT counseling and emotional exercises, addicts understand there are certain things they need to live with. At the same time, they can formulate positive compromises to deal with them. The basis of ACT is summarized in the Serenity Prayer that AA adopted six years after the first meetings were held.

For residents of Solana Beach, addiction recovery can be easier to maintain with the help of a sober lifestyle coach. At Sober Lifestyle Coaching, we know precisely what it takes to get sober, stay sober, and live the healthy lifestyle you deserve. We specialize in working with clients with active addictions as well as those already in recovery. Our sober coaches help clients work through potentially challenging events such as going to work and attending family gatherings while providing encouragement, accountability, insight, and understanding through our own recovery experiences. To learn more about how a sober lifestyle coach can help you or someone you love, call us at 760-230-2996.

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