Drugs like opioids, stimulants, or even marijuana can cause respiratory, neurological, and cardiovascular issues. Quitting these substances allows your body to heal, increasing your energy levels, improving sleep, and reducing your risk of life-threatening conditions. In recognizing the dangers of addiction and the power of community, we come to understand that forming supportive connections and relying on prayer can significantly aid in our walk toward sobriety.
For some, it means complete abstinence from all substances, while others may focus on quitting a specific substance, like alcohol, while still using others like nicotine or caffeine. What’s important is that sobriety represents a conscious choice to live without substances that negatively affect your physical or mental health. Reputable, research-based treatment programs select therapies and interventions to match your personal needs. For example, a Veteran with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) who misuses cocaine, doesn’t have the same needs as a stay-at-home mom struggling with alcohol use. What type of treatment you need depends on several factors, including the severity of your addiction. For instance, if your substance use disorder is diagnosed as mild, an outpatient program might be recommended.
Real and Authentic Relationships
In these moments, I have to remind myself that recovery isn’t just about not drinking; it’s about remembering that I am first and foremost responsible for advocating for my own well-being and boundaries. This is an opportunity to assert for your needs, and therefore assert your worth. Thankfully, there have only been a few times when someone at the table hasn’t pointed it out on my behalf and adjusted accordingly. However, when it has happened, I have to speak up to point out that I didn’t drink and I’m not subsidizing their drinking. I have always hated the feeling that I’m putting people out or being difficult. The cost of alcohol adds up quickly, financial savings are one of the most tangible benefits of staying sober.
Drug Addiction and Pregnancy
Research shows that women tend to have lower levels of alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH), the enzyme responsible for metabolising alcohol in the stomach. This leads to higher concentration of alcohol entering the bloodstream, so women are more susceptible to its effects. Another study found that women have higher blood ethanol concentrations than men and are more likely to suffer alcohol-related liver diseases. Susan G. Komen also finds that alcohol consumption has been linked to an increased risk of breast cancer, as it can raise oestrogen levels and contribute to hormone-sensitive cancers. The freedom to drink pints, do shots, and be a ‘loud-mouthed mess’ was an act of rebellion and defiance; a declaration that I wasn’t afraid to take up space. When I quit, I worried that I’d confirm every stereotype about women being too uptight, too worried about being out of control and un-ladylike.
About Samba Recovery
This is one of the pivotal benefits of being sober from alcohol, as it fosters a clearer state of mind and promotes emotional stability, making it easier to cope with daily stresses. Thebenefits of being soberinclude real relationships and experiences that you might otherwise miss out on, along with many other goodreasons to be sober. Sobriety cannot be traditionally measured or given a numerical value. However, working with treatment professionals to personalize treatment programs can help you to find a longer lasting and more well-adjusted sober lifestyle. While an individual may have a certain end date with sober living or inpatient treatment programs at a treatment center, the journey to a sober lifestyle never truly ends. If you’re having the thought that you want to get sober and want to know how to get clean, there’s probably already an underlying motivation.
Instead of just getting by, sobriety allows you to strive toward your full potential. I wish I could promise that if you don’t drink for four months or six months or twelve, then you’ll have reached some magical number where all your hopes and dreams come true. A lot of people are surprised by just how much they would spend on their drinking.
Hydrocodone Addiction Is on the Rise
According to Drink Aware’s 2019 study on drinking behaviours in the UK, year-olds were the most likely to be teetotal, with 26% refraining from drinking. Shift the focus from what’s in your glass to the connections you’re making. Experiment with no- and low-alcohol drinks until you find options that genuinely excite you. From botanical spirits to craft alcohol-free beers, the choices are endless.
- These get replaced by hours reclaimed for hobbies, projects, and personal growth.
- Alumni programs play a pivotal role in supporting individuals after they complete their rehab treatment.
- Do not be discouraged if you have PAWS — it is completely normal when detoxing from alcohol.
- And stay in touch with your sponsor and call them if you’re feeling anxious or uncomfortable.
- There’s the sense that if you’re not usingdrugsor alcohol, somehow life is boring or uninteresting.
If people press that response, I’ll either stare at them and hold an uncomfortable silence (this is enjoyable at some point), or just change the subject. There are exceptions to this, like if someone alludes to their own struggle with alcohol, and then I might offer up a bit more of my personal experience. You are a mirror now, a flashlight of sobriety in a society that is laced with the judgment that it’s abnormal to abstain from alcohol. People will assume you drink and will be very curious about why you don’t have a drink in your hand when they do. This isn’t to say that all of your friends will be threatened, or that all of your friendships will change. Some will certainly remain, but even those aren’t necessarily long-game friendships.
The first step is to commit to a reputable addiction treatment program. Contact us today to learn about the admissions process and explore how The Recovery Village can help you or a loved one begin the path to recovery and lifelong sobriety. The journey to get and stay sober may have ups and downs, but the rewards far outweigh the sacrifices. From improved health to personal growth, a strong sense of purpose and lasting freedom, recovery from addiction transforms lives. Whether someone is just beginning to consider becoming sober or has been on the path for years, these benefits are a powerful reminder of why maintaining sobriety is worth every effort.
#2: Know Your Triggers
If you make the decision to drink less or take a break from https://appsychology.com/living-in-a-sober-house/ alcohol, how do you get started? Knowing how much you drink, in what environments you drink, and who you usually drink with can help you create new habits and routines that don’t center around alcohol. Sobriety turns mornings from something you dread into parts of the day you can actually look forward to. Waking up without a hangover means you get to start your day feeling good, not trying to piece together the night before or chugging water to battle dehydration. The enjoyment of mornings without hangovers can be one of the first benefits enjoyed, often within the first week of sobriety. Similar to being more productive, you will also find an abundance of free time.
The preparation stage lays the groundwork for successful engagement in the subsequent action stage of the recovery process, promoting a better chance of long-term sobriety. I’ve mentioned the importance of therapy in sobriety before, but I want to talk about it again. There will be days when the feelings are overwhelming like it’s all too much. When I was drinking, it never occurred to me that I was an introvert. I would have classified myself as someone who loved to be around people and go out with them at night.
Is Sobriety Date the Last Drink?
When frequently using alcohol or other substances, life can become chaotic, making it challenging to stick to a schedule. Although we may often hear this from medical doctors, it is hard to internalize unless we experience it first-hand. Your mind may tell you it’s hopeless and that no one will ever trust you again. It may feel hopeless right now, but trust can be rebuilt over time.
Celebrating sobriety means not just championing how long they have been without engaging with addictive substances but also the personal goals accomplished along the way. Sobriety is about sober house finding a healthy and sustainable lifestyle where you feel more like yourself, have more energy, and feel capable of reaching your goals. Remember to set achievable goals that can help you build confidence in your ability to overcome your addiction. Feelings of failure and shame can act as triggers for substance use. However, there are various goals you can set for yourself to measure your success.
