Licensed counselor Laura Louise Green, Med, LPC, has developed a weekly series of prompts for people who are re-assessing their relationship with alcohol. The following has been edited and republished with permission. It is part two of a four-part series. To read part one, click here. To learn more, visit www.healthypour.org.
Moving into the second week [of sobriety], you’ll find yourself getting more into a rhythm, creating new structure in your life, and seeing some immediate effects of shifting your relationship with alcohol.
These prompts are meant to help you process and navigate those experiences. No matter how hard you stick to it, it is helpful to process what you’re experiencing. Even if it’s a struggle to keep on plan, process it anyway. If you find that you need help and support, please call the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Helpline: 1 (800) 622 HELP.
If this is your first week of sober living, check out these prompts that are geared to where you are in your journey.
- How have I been sleeping? Has it changed over the last week? What about falling asleep? Waking up?
- Are there any new or unfamiliar feelings? Are they different from last week? What are they? Where do I think they’re coming from?
- Have I been social? What is that like? If not, is there anything holding me back? What feelings come up around that?
- Who have I been able to rely on for support? Who isn’t as helpful? Is there anyone I’ve been avoiding? What does that feel like?
- How have my relationships been shifting in this time? Are some things easier? Harder? What do I think that’s about?
- Am I experiencing challenging moments this week? What are they? What brought them on? How am I coping?
- What does my body feel like? What are my energy levels like? How is this different than before?
Laura Louise Green, MEd, LPC is a licensed professional counselor and organizational consultant from Chicago, IL. After working in the hospitality industry for nearly 20 years, she utilizes her knowledge and skills as a trained and licensed mental health professional to facilitate training, growth, and healing within the hospitality sector. She is the founder of Healthy Pour, a consultancy seeking to improve the mental health and well-being of individuals, communities, and organizations within the hospitality and hospitality-adjacent industries through thoughtful education, coaching, future-building, intervention development, conflict resolution, and research. Find more information here.
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