"Sobriety Toolkit": 10 Non-Negotiable Tools for Early Recovery Early recovery can feel like learning to navigate in a new world—one where your old coping mechanisms are off-limits, and everything feels uncertain. But here's what seasoned recovery warriors know: success isn't about willpower alone. It's about having the right tools ready before you need them. Think of recovery like building a house. You wouldn't start construction with just enthusiasm and good intentions—you'd