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Women's Recovery

10 Positive Mantras To Get You Started In Sobriety

1. If you want what you’ve never had you must do what you have never done

Trying new things can be so intimidating. We are comfortable in our way of life. As addicts, we need completely new results. You cannot get different results by doing the same thing over and over again. We must seek help in learning new ways to cope with our demons. Becoming a sober member of society takes a series of moment-to-moment choices that are scary, but worth it in the end.

2. What other people think about you is none of your business

I can’t tell you what the key to success is, but I know the key to failure is trying to please everybody. While it’s imperative that we take the suggestions given to us you cannot please everyone. If we attempt this, we will be failing continuously and countlessly. How someone else feels about you is their problem and it is not our responsibility or capability to change that.

3. Progress not perfection

There are a lot of “shoulds and should nots” in sobriety. You are going to receive a lot of suggestions from counselors, doctors, and peers. Suggestions are there for a reason — generally because they work. However, no one is perfect and we certainly do not expect you to be a saint as soon as you stop using. I still make mistakes and sometimes I am so proud of myself for making a mistake that was far less damaging from one I made in the past because the progress was clear to see.

4. HALT: when you are hungry, angry, lonely, tired

These are common triggers for recovering addicts. When you start to feel one or all of these things… Halt! Take a step back. Sometimes when you don’t know what to do, the best thing you can do is nothing! These are good signs to look out for and fix as soon as you see them. Eat something, take a nap, call your sponsor or counselor. When we are irritable we get uncomfortable in our own skin. Drugs and alcohol have been our way of escaping for so long; it takes time to learn how to remedy these things in a healthy manner and a sober state.

5. Grow through what you go through

No one said it would be easy! We are still dealing with life, it’s not easy. The things that hurt the most tend to make us stronger. The things that almost broke us are what makes us who we are today. I am thankful for the people who hurt me and the hardships because they made me strong. Everything in my world today is exactly as it should be. Things have not turned out the way I once wanted them to and I am eternally grateful for that.

be positive

6. Revealing is healing

Learning new things about yourself is one of the greatest experiences in sobriety. We are essentially getting to know ourselves all over again. However, sometimes the things being revealed are not so easy to accept. Becoming aware is the first step. If you do not know, then you cannot change. Understanding our past and our present is essential in order to make decisions about our future. The most unpleasant revelations will be your most powerful healing processes.

7. One day at a time

This is maybe the most popular mantra in sobriety. It’s well known and widely accepted from AA to treatment centers. Deciding to stay sober for a lifetime is a terrifying idea for someone who doesn’t know how! Instead, we wake up every morning and decide that only for today I will not use drugs or alcohol. Anyone who has been sober for years will tell you that they didn’t stay sober a year at a time. They stayed sober 24 hours at a time because that’s all they could manage. This is an excellent way of not getting ahead of yourself.

8. You can’t think your way into right action, but you can act your way into right thinking

A quote from the great Bill Wilson himself. We have so many ideas, so many dreams. They only stay dreams if you do not take action. Even if you don’t believe in what you are doing you have to take action in order for your brain to catch up with you. We see this a lot in recovery by being of service to others. Our goal is not to be successful, but to be of maximum service to others after the damage we caused in our time of using. Being of service to others will give you a glimpse of the empowering feeling it gives to help another person which is said to be imperative to sobriety in the program of Alcoholics Anonymous.

9. Do the next right thing

We all get stuck sometimes. Stuck wondering which move to make, what path to take, and what our next step is. We over complicate our lives so much as addicts. Sometimes we need to simplify our decisions by asking ourselves, “What is the next right thing to do?”  When I ask myself this, the answer is usually something so easy like eat or do my laundry. After I’ve wracked my brain for hours on my next 20 moves, all I had to do to start moving was just decide my next step. One foot in front of the other.

10. And acceptance is the answer to all my problems today

This is a quote from page 417 of the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous. It goes on to say, “Until I could accept my alcoholism, I could not stay sober; unless I accept life completely on life’s terms, I cannot be happy” How true this has been for me. I can easily see that anytime I am seriously struggling, it stems from me finding some person, place or situation unacceptable to me. As soon as I find the strength to accept those things as exactly the way they are meant to be, I can move on. This is a page in the book I am constantly referring back to because I often find things in my life that I think should be different. I can easily tell you that it is not up to me, yet somehow, I find myself feebly wishing things were a different way and this page brings me back to reality.

Staying sober is much easier than getting sober. These are a few of the sobriety mantras that I have reminded myself of to stay sane and sober. It’s important to remember that being sober is not a one-time decision. We must remind ourselves of these things constantly because it is simply in our nature to forget. Using drugs and alcohol is the ease and comfort we use when we think we cannot handle life on life’s terms. Keeping these mantras in mind when the road to recovery gets bumpy!

Getting Help at Wayside House

If you are a woman struggling with addiction and mental health issues, Wayside House can help. We offer a women-only program and provide a safe, supportive environment to recover in. We have outstanding treatments and therapies that are often only found in more expensive programs. We offer inpatient rehab with various therapies, relapse prevention education, outpatient, and aftercare, as well as services for medical professionals and veterans. Contact Wayside House at 561-278-0055 to learn more.

 

Testimonials

  • “Thank you Wayside for being there for her when she needed your help the most!!!”   Woohoo!!! 

  • Wayside taught me how to be a woman and live life clean & sober!

    Alexandra N.

  • “Wayside is more than treatment. It is a home. I grew up emotionally in that little house. I was there for 9 months and they were the best 9 months of my life. To have time to learn about yourself and take the time to focus on yourself is such a blessing. The plants I planted are still there. I see them in the photos. Such a special place!!”

    Amanda O.

  • This is an excellent treatment facility and all women down in Delray Beach, FL. …if you have anything you can send to help these young/older women, believe me anything is appreciated. This place and God did wonders for my girl.

    Amy G

  • Wayside House is where i went to rehab & they are AMAZING!! Its a 90 day program & alot of the girls have absolutely nothing when they move into the house. If your feel generous, or just want to help, it’s a worthy cause!!  Mandy W.

  • “What a rich heritage Wayside House has!”

    Allen S.

  • “It was so nice to hear from Wayside House.  I am still employed and I love my job!!! I will have 9 months on the 21st of October…..All thanks to Wayside and you ladies at the Posner Center!!!!🤗”

    Rita P.

  • “Tonight’s Wayside House Anniversary meeting and listening to the journey’s with 1,2,6,22,29 and 33 years in sobriety empowered my heart! So happy for one of the girls I sent to Wayside House.”

    Katrin O.

  • “Wayside does such good work in our community.” 

    Jan S.

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      What People Are Saying

      • “I have always supported Wayside House — I know women who have come through their program and support all they do. If you don’t know about this fabulous place I encourage you to become involved and find out more — they are an anchor in Delray Beach and their history speaks for itself.” 

        Nancy S.

      • “I went through Wayside House & it was the first place that actually felt like home to me. The staff actually care about their clients and their sobriety. I worked through so much here without fear of being judged. I love wayside & it will always have a special place in my heart along with ALL the amazing women who work there.”

        Mandy W

      • I so wish I could tell the girls how much Wayside saved my life,  and after 31 years sober, it still is just “One Day at a Time” and “The Serenity Prayer.” I will always remember those first days of being at Wayside and how the girls , the counselors , and the House put me back on track to living a fulfilled and Sober life . I followed the AA steps, got a wonderful sponsor and have followed that path ever since. — Pamela R.

      • “Thank you Wayside for being there for her when she needed your help the most!!!”   Woohoo!!! 

      • Wayside taught me how to be a woman and live life clean & sober!

        Alexandra N.

      • “Wayside is more than treatment. It is a home. I grew up emotionally in that little house. I was there for 9 months and they were the best 9 months of my life. To have time to learn about yourself and take the time to focus on yourself is such a blessing. The plants I planted are still there. I see them in the photos. Such a special place!!”

        Amanda O.

      • This is an excellent treatment facility and all women down in Delray Beach, FL. …if you have anything you can send to help these young/older women, believe me anything is appreciated. This place and God did wonders for my girl.

        Amy G

      • Wayside House is where i went to rehab & they are AMAZING!! Its a 90 day program & alot of the girls have absolutely nothing when they move into the house. If your feel generous, or just want to help, it’s a worthy cause!!  Mandy W.

      • Allen S.

        “What a rich heritage Wayside House has!”

      • Rita P.

        “It was so nice to hear from Wayside House.  I am still employed and I love my job!!! I will have 9 months on the 21st of October…..All thanks to Wayside and you ladies at the Posner Center!!!!🤗”

      • Katrin O.

        “Tonight’s Wayside House Anniversary meeting and listening to the journey’s with 1,2,6,22,29 and 33 years in sobriety empowered my heart! So happy for one of the girls I sent to Wayside House.”

      • Jan S.

        “Wayside does such good work in our community.” 

      • Leah J.

        “I just wanted to thank you for how you and the team make the world a better place.  I won’t claim to understand the things you sacrifice, but you are truly wonderful for doing so.“

      • Janine T.

        “I  highly recommend Wayside Women’s in Delray Beach. My daughter completed their wonderful program, she’ll have 2 years July 1st. They have an active alumni. I couldn’t say enough good things about them, they’ve been doing this since mid70’s.”

      • Stacy J.

        “ Thankful for my sobriety and for Wayside! “

      • Susan B.

        “Wayside House was and is an amazing place to me. I am on a journey that is better than I could have ever imagined. The strength of the women that came before me, that are beside me, and those that are there now teach me how to live “.

      • Lisa D.

        “Wayside saved my life and I will never be able to repay them for everything they have done for me.”

      • Dolores A.

        “Wayside house saved my daughter’s life. She transformed into the beautiful woman I knew she could be. It’s only been a few months but one day at a time she and I are enjoying her recovery journey!!!”

      • Jeanne H.

        “We appreciate all that you do to help individuals in recovery, demonstrating God’s love in our community. Your staff at Wayside House continue to help in so many ways, women and their families that need the love, care and support that you are able to provide. Thank you so much for all you do for them.  May God continue to bless you, your staff and your volunteers each and every day for the light you provide for our community.”

      • Susan C.

        “ Wayside is “the light”! Congratulations on the article in the Palm Beach Post
        for all you do to make the commitment to help those in need.”

      • Lynne B.

        “I will always be grateful to Wayside for giving my daughter the tools and knowledge to live a sober life on the outside. You changed her life thank you thank you thank you, may all the people that pass through your wonderful cozy house succeed in sobriety as well.”

      • Katy B.

        “I am sober and happy today thanks to Wayside.”

      • A.D.

        “Having the opportunity to go to Wayside was the best thing I’ve ever done. They lovingly deconstructed my life so I could put it back together. They are a serious program that gave me the ability to understand myself in a way I never thought was possible. They didn’t baby me and they taught me how to be beautifully authentic with myself and those around me. I really can’t thank them enough.”

      • Susan T.

        “Please keep up your wonderful work; the kids of south Florida need you.”

      • Jaimie K.

        “I am making this donation and thank you for all you do!”

      • Pam H.

        “Celebrating 29 years 7/22/2016. Sponsoring, 3-5 meetings a week, and forever grateful to Wayside House!”

      • Laura B.

        “I will be celebrating my 17th year clean and sober.  PLEASE share with the celebrants that I am with them in spirit even though I can’t be with them.  Wayside rocks!  Remind them to stay until the magic happens.”

      • BH alumni

        “I just want to give a shout out to the Wayside staff and alumni who organized and participated in the first annual gratitude dinner. The entire evening was absolutely devine! Wayside House saved my life and I am so very happy that you are at the helm.”

      • Brenda

        “Just walking down memory lane! I Love Wayside House! I went through twice!!
        LOL!! Clean and sober today! Love to all the women! XOXO”

      • Ashley

        “Thank you to Marlies and the Posner Center because without your guidance I wouldn’t have been pushed to pursue what I love and want out of a job and school. You’re amazing!”

      • Colletta D.

        “Proud to be a donor supporter of your efforts.”

      • Sara W.

        “Wayside House saved my life. It was a place that gave me a purpose to follow my dreams. And gave me a life that I never thought could be possible. It is a place where God lives in the lives of so many recovering women. Thank you.”

      • Andrea S.

        “So many miracles and beautiful souls are at Wayside. It’s a very special place.”

      • Phoebe M.

        “What an incredible gift to have gone to Wayside House.  Keep up the great work!”

      • Kathy G.

        “I’m so grateful to be a Wayside Winner 12/89 . One day at a Time.”

      • Christine D.

        “I have to commend Wayside House. They are a 1st class treatment center.”

      • Christine A.

        “I went through Wayside House in 1991 and have been clean and sober for 23 years. I have had four children, two grandchildren, and am happily married. The aftercare and parenting groups that Wayside had is something that helped me so very much as a new parent who was fairly new in recovery. I now have a Bachelor’s degree in social work and am working on a Master’s degree in counseling specializing in addictions counseling. If I had not been placed in Wayside House so many years ago I would have never been able to achieve the things that I have in my life. I am forever grateful for the blessing it has had in my life!”

      • Jeffrey Lane Esq., Weiner, Lynne & Thompson P.A.

        “Wayside is the benchmark by which I hold other similar facilities too.”

      • John Lehman, President FARR

        “I know many women whose lives have been greatly impacted by the quality support they experienced while enrolled and residing in your program. My first hand knowledge dates back to 1980 and I can attest to Wayside’s long tradition of excellence.”

      • J.L.

        “Wayside House saved my sobriety at a critical time in my life. My HP knew I needed to be there and surrounded by strong women who believed in me. Thank you!”

      • Evelyn H.

        “ My life has changed very deeply. I have been given the gift of life in sobriety and treating it like a present.”

      • Cynthia F.

        “I hated God & tried not to believe in any higher power before getting sober. Now I know that each day is a gift and
        that all things are possible through my spiritual connection. All of life is a miracle and for the ultimate good.”

      • Liz D.

        “I just wanted to send my gratitude and thanks for all you have done for me and thousands of women out there recovering from addictions.”

      • Sally W.

        “God bless your work at Wayside.”

      • T.P.

        “Thank you for all that you have done to make me experience Wayside and the true change in my life through this program. I am grateful.”

      • Cindy

        “To all of you fortunate enough to celebrate the holidays at Wayside, I hope you find peace and happiness.
        My Christmas at Wayside was one of the best ever as I received the lasting gift of sobriety. God Bless you all!”

      • Anonymous

        “ My children have been returned and I have found God.”

      • Anonymous

        “Wayside House and God have given me a life I never thought I deserved.”

      • Anonymous

        “Wayside House played a very big role in treating our daughter. We will be forever grateful for you and our blessings from the Lord.”

      • Anonymous

        “ I have restored relationships with my family and learned how to love others. I am accountable, help and trust others and enjoy living life. I have peace and I don’t worry. I know that everything is going to be OK. I also attend three meetings a week and sponsor several women.”

      • Anonymous

        “ By spending time with my awesome God every morning who saved me by touching my life while at Wayside. God continues to draw me close to him.”

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