South Florida is notoriously known as a hot spot for recovering drug addicts and alcoholics such as myself. I am not ashamed to admit it and neither should anyone else who is trying to better their lives. Early sobriety is extremely difficult for people such as myself. I would drink and use drugs because I was not comfortable in my own skin. I also struggled with dual diagnosis which is mental illness combined with a substance abuse problem. I struggled with depression and anxiety so drugs and alcohol were my medications. They only made my life a lot more complicated and intensified my mental state. My early sobriety was challenging. I moved down to south Florida in a sober living house in an area I’ve never been to. I had no connections here. No family and no friends. I was rebuilding my life again for what seemed like the hundredth time. I later realized that I truly was not alone in the fight to stay sober.I stayed sober and continue to stay sober by keeping myself busy and occupied. I started working two jobs, exercising at the gym, I attend Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous meetings, and worked the twelve steps with my sponsor. The less free time I had, the easier it was for me to stay focused and stay sober. To sum it all up, my best advice to anyone in early recovery is to find ways to stay busy the same way I do. It is very important to build a strong support network by attending meetings, finding a home group, getting a good sponsor and working the twelve steps. The worst thing you can do is isolate yourself and think you’re capable of staying sober on your own. I also recommend exercise to improve mental and physical health.