- \n
- Don\u2019t be so hard on yourself<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Even if you slip up, it doesn\u2019t mean you can\u2019t pick it back up the next day<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Attend both one-on-one therapy and group therapy<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- If you have access to it, go to rehab<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Make connections with other recovering alcoholics<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Do sponsorships and build a network of people you can rely on<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Reside in sober living housing<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Focus on how decisions today could benefit your future<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Take any steps towards a larger goal<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Establish a practice or ritual <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Find something to believe in (a higher power)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Try meditation and mindfulness<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Use positive affirmations to rebuild self-worth<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Find a form of self-care: yoga, workouts, nature<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Tell anyone and everyone what you love and what you\u2019re working towards<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Love ALL of yourself; embrace your flaws while working to improve them<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
![\"On](\"https:\/\/www.imaginarygardens.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/unnamed-8-900x1200.jpg\")
The Pathfinder\u2013a fermented and distilled non-alcoholic spirit | Sierra Berry<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n Find Your “Why”<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The most important tip is to have the desire to change. Your efforts should be rooted in a reason that you constantly remind yourself of, especially when the temptation creeps in. Your “Why” can be anything you feel passionate about, whether it\u2019s to better your health, heal your relationship with yourself, or mend relationships with others. Delve deep into your mind until you can remember how it felt to trust yourself, and in moments of weakness, summon that trust to guide you through temptation.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Chosen Drug<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Whether you want to admit it or not, alcohol is a drug, one that we have chosen as society to accept, normalize, and celebrate. I will acknowledge that the process of fermentation and hand-crafted brewing is truly a beautiful process. However, the relationship that we, as a society, have with alcohol is unhealthy and contributes to this endless cycle of pain. The accessibility and marketing of alcohol is the perfect example of the government capitalizing on human weaknesses purely for economic benefit. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"Against](\"https:\/\/www.imaginarygardens.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/unnamed-6-1200x798.jpg\")
Super Discount Liquor store in Louisiana | Steve Snodgrass, Super Discount Liquor, Louisiana June 2010, CC BY 2.0<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n The Shame<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Whenever I\u2019m procrastinating, I typically find myself staring out the window with my cat, spying on my neighbors in a totally not creepy way. For months, I watched my neighbor across the street struggle with alcoholism, until the day he got evicted. Up to that point, I watched him get arrested multiple times and charged with multiple DUI\u2019s, along with peeing himself, drooling on someone\u2019s car, and walking home from the liquor store with a bottle in hand. In all of those moments, I felt the need to help him in some way, but chose to not involve myself. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was a hot summer day when all of his belongings were thrown out onto the sidewalk as he stood there watching. Eventually, he laid down in the grass and passed out with his bag still on his back. I couldn\u2019t just sit there and watch him wallow away, so I made a peace offering with a red Solo cup filled with ice water. I could see the shameful sweat rolling down his face, and I could feel the embarrassment in the air that surrounded him. Soon, he was able to muster the words, \u201cI am so embarrassed,\u201d and he repeated that phrase maybe 20 times. In the end, I wasn\u2019t able to help him and have not seen him since.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The shame<\/strong> you may feel surrounding your relationship with alcohol is valid and very real; though, it should not be given power over you. Shame is not an emotion we typically talk about, and because of that, it is even more likely that it can eat away at you. Overcoming the shame, embarrassment, and disappointment is a way to take back your power and rise above alcohol.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Alternatives to Alcohol<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Since sobriety is trending, there are many alternatives to alcohol that don\u2019t carry the adverse effects. Some alternatives just mimic the taste of alcohol without any psychoactive stimulation; for instance, N\/A beers<\/a> mimic the ritual while also containing herbs that help calm the nervous system while some alternatives have psychoactive effects that alter your state of consciousness. For example, Kava<\/a> is a root from the South Pacific islands which contains lactones that induce relaxation. Though it is now common to find non-alcoholic drinks, mocktails, and alternatives at your local bar, make sure you love<\/strong> being sober before taking part. Bar atmospheres and even N\/A drinks that taste similar to alcohol may be triggering for some folks, while others enjoy being able to socialize without being intoxicated. Either way, it’s nice to have options that move us towards a society that doesn\u2019t celebrate drinking culture.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"Against](\"https:\/\/www.imaginarygardens.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/unnamed-7-1200x900.jpg\")
Bowl of Kava\u2013a drink that originated from the Pacific Islands | Sierra Berry <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n Breaking the Cycle<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n
\u201cAlcohol became my lover, my best friend, and my only comfort. But, I lost everyone I ever loved because of that. It’s a hard road to recovery, but the other side is filled with love and joy. You find yourself again, you find your loved ones again, and you\u2019ll see the world in a different way. Colors are more vivid and life is more amazing than you could ever imagine.\u201d \u2013 Anonymous Recovering Alcoholic<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
In the depths of addiction, it can feel as if you are permanently stuck in a never-ending cycle of self-sabotage. Don\u2019t let the shame eat you alive. There is a way out. You have the strength to summon self-control and learn how to trust yourself again, but it isn\u2019t a journey you should take alone. There are online support groups, encouraging subreddits, and counseling services<\/a> here at Pellissippi State to help you throughout your journey. You don\u2019t have to make a New Year\u2019s resolution to stop drinking; you can start today!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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