If you haven’t read the blog on Intentional Living, this will add an additional layer of support for relapse prevention and I highly recommend you check it out. I will share with you two sections from the Intentional Living series.
“Among definitions of abstaining from intoxicants, Merriam Webster’s dictionary also defines sober as ‘unhurried,’ ‘calm,’ and ‘earnestly thoughtful character or demeanor.’ These are our definitions moving ahead: A sober mind means an intentional mind (We will use the terms ‘sober’ and ‘intentional’ interchangeably).”
“Sobriety teaches us that focusing on the present is key to increasing fulfillment, connecting with healthy relationships (like learning to let our guard down when we’re so used to being invulnerable), and overcoming challenges. It’s a lifestyle that understands, and embraces, that we can only take life one day, one hour, or even one minute at a time. Actually, even one second at a time! When you shift your focus to what you need right now–whether it’s attending a meeting, calling a friend, or just taking a deep breath–you can make decisions that align with your recovery goals without getting lost in fear or anxiety.”
When it comes to living intentionally with a sober mind, it is also incredibly important to be honest and I’ll tell you why. Be prepared, I am about to share a sobering truth. Earlier in this series, I shared about the Greek concept of being “double-minded.” Many people keep finding themselves in a cycle of harming behaviors or substance use relapse because they are double-minded about their view of sobriety. Frankly, their view of sobriety is just trying to control how much and how often they engage in a behavior. They want to feel like they are in control, and they will go to great lengths to perform outward actions to give the illusion that they are in control and are accomplishing many things. The truth is, they remain double-minded and often feel internal conflict because in their heart of hearts, they know that they don’t have control. They may resign themselves to a complacent life with these behaviors and rationalize that at least their bills are paid, so they feel entitled to do things that help them relax and have fun. “It’s not that big of a deal,” said every complacent person ever.
Complacency is relapse’s best friend. You are learning to be intentional. You are not resigning yourself to anything that is going to take away from your self-worth, value, potential, stability, goals, or dreams. You are learning that you are worth the intentional effort to direct your life into a powerful realm of possibilities- without harming behaviors or substance use.
