Sobriety is a constant challenge for someone with a history of drinking
. It gets easier each day however. You'll feel proud of yourself and have a sense of your strength and acheivement. It is also an excellent example for other family members, children and the world around you. Old habits fade away but you still need to be vigilant. There was a weakness before in dealing with stressful situations by drinking so this is something that can be a slide if enough pressure occurs in one's life.
Support is important for many people to keep their resolve. This can mean attending meetings, keeping up with regular psychotherapy sessions and/or having a sponsor you can call. It is also helpful if you have a close relationship with people in your family for discussion when pressures in life arise.
Be aware of triggers that can stimulate internal anxiety. Try to avoid putting yourself in circumstances that you've found to be hard to handle in the past. This may mean to not spend Christmas with one's immediate family if it causes intense cravings. You know what your triggers are and what circumstances are very challenging. This doesn't mean they need to be avoided totally, but they need to be handled with more care. For instance, you can perhaps see a difficult family
member for an hour or with a supportive person that will be there to monitor the situation.
You should be very pleased that you've had success and that your resolve is strong. Sometimes life will give us lemons such as unemployment, a relationship that crumbles or a health issue. These all increase our stress levels and are potential risks for indulging again in alcohol or an illegal drug. Have some healthy steps in place each day to follow. This can include exercise, inspirational readings and doing something creative such as drawing. New habits replace old ones and your life is now your own.