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Accountability: The Core Element in Quitting Alcohol and Sustaining Long-Term Sobriety

Accountability: The Core Element in Quitting Alcohol and Sustaining Long-Term Sobriety

What To Know

  • I knew deep down I couldn’t do it alone, and no matter how hard I tried, in my own strength I would relapse again, and again.
  • When we involve others in our sober journey, we establish a network of accountability, and we’re likely to continue our commitment to sobriety.

The best thing I ever did for my addiction was to face my own fear, shame, and guilt and reach out to someone else.

I knew deep down I couldn’t do it alone, and no matter how hard I tried, in my own strength I would relapse again, and again.

This is why Accountability and the concept of “Burning your bridges” is a core element in overcoming alcohol addiction and achieving lasting recovery.

In this article, we’ll unpack why Accountability is so important, and how taking this leap of faith can greatly increase your chances of sustainable long-term sobriety.

The Importance of Accountability

When it comes to quitting alcohol, accountability is often the most important step (besides stopping the booze altogether).

In fact, it’s #2 in my 10 Simple Tips to Keep in Mind When Cravings Get Tough.

I talk about Accountability as the act of burning your bridges, a concept that originates from past historical events – You can learn more on this here.

The bridge of course is metaphorical, and what it really means is eliminating the pathways that could lead us back to our addiction.

It can be so easy to backpedal and is often the #1 reason why people relapse because the door is left so widely open, people turn around and “try again later”.

Close your doors, burn your bridges, cut off the path back, and kick-start your accountability now.

How to Create Accountability

To “Burn our bridges” effectively, we need to make that first leap of faith and quit alcohol publicly.

Sharing our real struggles with close friends and family can be intimidating, but it’s important to understand reaching out for support is an act of courage, not failure.

When we involve others in our sober journey, we establish a network of accountability, and we’re likely to continue our commitment to sobriety.

If you don’t have any local friends or family to support you, I encourage you to use these resources, as there are communities online willing to help!

Hey, why not reach out to us and we’ll keep you accountable in the beginning? You can do it.

The Power of Accountability

Accountability plays a pivotal role in sustaining long-term sobriety.

When we make our addiction known to others, it not only drastically reduces our risk of relapse, but also gives us a greater support network when things get rough.

Alcohol cravings are the enemy of early sobriety, which is why Clarity wrote this article to identify craving triggers before they arise! – Read it here.

Accountability tells us we’re not alone in this journey, and sharing your struggles is a powerful motivator to improve and move forward.

Accountability Helps Us Stay Connected

Staying connected gives us someone to reach out to when things get tough. Perhaps work or personal life makes your emotions fly off the rail at one point, and having someone to talk to instead of alcohol can help tenfold.

Forms Better Habits

Because we’re not spending so much time drinking anymore, we can invest more time into our overall health.

This could mean exercising more (but not overexercising), eating well and re-framing our mindset with not only just alcohol, but life in general.

Mindset is a biggie here, so if you’re just starting out, I encourage you to also read The Power of Mindset: How to Cultivate a Positive Attitude for Lasting Sobriety and read “The Role of Mindset in Recovery”

Accountability Helps Us Perform Better

Whether it be personal or professional, accountability allows us to distance ourselves from alcohol, which helps our performance overall.

Our perception of our own performance is often distorted with booze, so when we quit alcohol our life becomes a little limitless (if we allow it, of course).

Read more on The Benefits of Sober Living: How Quitting Alcohol Can Improve Your Professional and Personal Performance

The Takeaway

If you are to take anything away from this article, it’s this:

Accountability is a crucial first step, so if you’re trying to quit alcohol, start here, and if you’re not sure if you have an alcohol addiction, read the Hallmarks of Addictive Behaviour.

Accountability is a crucial aspect of quitting alcohol and maintaining long-term sobriety. Burning our bridges and eliminating the pathways that could lead us back to addiction is essential in preventing relapse.

By sharing our struggles with close friends, family, or online communities, we establish a network of support and create a sense of accountability. This network not only reduces the risk of relapse but also provides a valuable source of encouragement and motivation during challenging times.

If you have any feedback regarding this article, reach out. Help Clarity reach more people and quit addiction by following us on Instagram, it’s also the perfect place to message us and ask questions!