Are you enjoying your retirement (maybe a little too much)? Do you have too much time on your hands, and you are finding yourself with some new bad habits? Are you drinking too much? Are you taking medications to help you get through the day? Is this how you want to be remembered when you are gone? Too much drinking and medication can really affect you, both physically and mentally. For this reason, there is no time like now to get sober.
Here are some tips to help you get sober.
Keep a Diary
If you don’t think that you have a problem with alcohol or medication, start keeping a diary. It may be a wake up call to realize just how much you are drinking. If you have a problem with certain medications, it may shock you when you realize that you are reaching for the pill bottle five times a day.
Remove All Alcohol
Keep alcohol out of your home. Many people drink because it is convenient. They just go to their refrigerator and grab a cold one. However, if you don’t have any there, you can’t drink. You may even decide not to, if it means getting dressed and driving to the bar. If you are struggling with medication, you should also keep it out of your home.
Avoid Drinking at Parties
If you have parties, don’t make drinking the main thing. Most people plan parties around the dinners and drinks that they are going to serve. Instead, focus on the food. If you have friends who like to drink, let them know that you are trying to cut back on your drinking, so you are not going to have any at the party. If someone brings you wine as a thank you, you may want to open it and let everyone else have a glass so that it is gone quickly (before you even take a sip).
Keep Busy to Get Sober
One of the best things about retirement is that you have time on your hands to do whatever you want. If you find yourself reaching for a beer with your afternoon television, it might be time to do something else. Spend more time with family and friends. Go out to dinner or the movies. Play games. Join a book club. Try a new hobby. The busier you are, the less time you will have to think about your drinking.
Be Ready for Setbacks
Just like any goal, setbacks occur. Even if you have been sober for weeks or even months, one drink can quickly derail that. If it happens, tomorrow is another day. Start fresh tomorrow and get back on the wagon!
You Are Not Alone in Getting Sober
You don’t have to do this on your own. There is no shame in getting treatment to help you enjoy your retirement with a clear head. You also have the time to devote to your sobriety, so there is no better time to seek help and get sober. Fairwinds Treatment Center has extensive experience helping senior aged people move on from their addiction to drinking. We can help you get sober and stay that way!
Get Sober, Even After Retirement
Getting and staying sober isn’t always easy. Figuring out that you have a problem is even harder. You may need to start with a diary to see that you really do need help. You also should keep it out of your home, so that it isn’t too convenient. Furthermore, you may stop and think if you have to get dressed to go downtown to get a beer. You should also keep busy. If you are just lounging around the house, you are going to just want to grab a drink. If you are busy spending time with friends and family, you won’t have time for a beer. That being said, there is nothing wrong with getting some help. You deserve to enjoy your retirement, with a clear and sober head!
If you are ready to get help and want to make the change for the better, Fairwinds Treatment Center is here to help. Don’t hesitate to contact us today to see how we can help you enjoy your retirement to the fullest!
