Go to the profile of Liz Lazzara
Liz Lazzara
Passionate about writing. C-PTSD memoir in progress. Powerful mental health advocacy. All-inclusive lover of humanity. Coming bylines: AV Club, Hippocampus.

9 Reasons To Stay Sober (And How To Make It Happen)

Image courtesy of Orlando Recovery

Going through treatment for and recovering from substance use addiction is one of the best choices you can make — and one of the hardest.

It can be difficult to battle your cravings because addiction is a disease, and sometimes you need a little help to keep moving forward.

In my latest piece for Orlando Recovery and Advanced Recovery Systems, I listed nine things to keep in mind that will help you stay sober, including:

  • Ending or reducing trouble with school and/or work
  • Increasing your income and reducing potential dependence on welfare
  • Having better relationships with family, friends, and romantic partners
  • Improving your memory
  • Decreasing your risk of contracting an infectious disease
  • Avoiding serious health problems
  • Lowering your risk for new mental health problems
  • Staying out of legal trouble
  • Not overdosing and staying alive

There are also some great resources in there, for inpatient, outpatient, and workplace care.

If you’re in recovery or know someone who is, please read this and share it. This is information that helps save and rebuild lives, and if that’s not important, I don’t know what is.

Want more?

I’m writing a memoir about life with complex PTSD. From time to time, I’ll post other bits here, most likely published through The Coffeelicious.

If you want to read more of my stuff, this is my portfolio.

If you visit, you’ll find links to my YouTube channel, which covers my life as a writer, complete with advice based on two years as a freelancer, and information about the services I offer, including all manners of editing. I was editor-in-chief of my own magazine for over a year, and have testimonials to back up my rep.

I also created a community, A Peculiar Place, which I think every reader of mine should check out, and a newsletter that covers everything I love — great writing, mental health, a little wisdom, word news, updates about me, writing I won’t publish anywhere else, and a link to a super secret blog of my unpublished essays, fiction, and works in progress. I know — it’s too good to be true (but it is!)

If you want to support me?

I have a Patreon for monthly contributions (with new and improved rewards!) and a PayPal account if you want to make a one-time donation.

And thank you to all of my 2.1K+ supporters! Every one of you is dear to my heart ❤️💛💚💙💜