By prioritizing sobriety, individuals can continue to build strong connections with loved ones, fostering a supportive and fulfilling social network. “Lowering alcohol intake can help improve function, cognition and health,” says Deborah Freeland, M.D., an assistant professor in the Department of Internal Medicine at UT Southwestern Medical Center. Cutting back, she adds, can also help reduce one’s risk of falls, driving impairment and cognitive decline, which are already high-risk conditions in older adults. And alcohol, she warns, can also interfere with numerous medications, which can be problematic, so you may notice some improvements in how prescribed medications affect you.
You’ll Still Have Fun!
A person who is getting sober may be getting sober from one substance or all substances. Their process of getting sober will depend on numerous factors, including the severity of drug or alcohol use disorder and long-term goals of sobriety. The basic disease model of addiction says that plenty of people use drugs or alcohol to medicate their problems away. If this sounds like you, you might be surprised to find out how much more effectively you can deal with things sober. It might feel like drinking or using drugs makes your problems go away, but as anyone who’s struggled with addiction knows, this is just an illusion.
What Is Sobriety, Anyway?
You’ll enjoy general health and wellness that you can’t necessarily achieve if you’re drinking or using drugs. When you’re sober, you’ll be able to experience life with greater clarity and positivity. https://ecosoberhouse.com/article/how-alcohol-can-affect-relationships/ The cloud of substance abuse will lift, allowing you to see things in a more positive light. Addiction takes away your joy, relationships, self-esteem, finances, mental wellness, physical health, etc.
How to Get Help With a Drinking Problem
Besides saving all that money in the first place, you’ll be in a better state of mind to make good financial decisions. And having that extra cash opens up a whole world of new opportunities – you could decide to save for a house, take a vacation, or go back to school, for example. 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.
The Positive Impact on Personal Relationships and Career
- I wanted to blend in nicely with a crowd who understood that sometimes you just want to drink your face off, or one that didn’t think anything was weird about a glass of noon wine.
- It’s not just your drinking buddies and drug dealers who can get you into trouble—sometimes those who are closest to you can contribute to a relapse.
- “Lowering alcohol intake can help improve function, cognition and health,” says Deborah Freeland, M.D., an assistant professor in the Department of Internal Medicine at UT Southwestern Medical Center.
- “If you want to maintain the friendship, see a movie or do an activity with them that does not involve alcohol,” says Hafeez.
- Addiction to drugs or alcohol has devastating impacts on your physical health and causes many chronic illnesses, cancers, and other diseases — and even death.
This is a JOYOUS and wonderful thing because it easily sorts out the ones that have a weird relationship with alcohol, or the ones that just aren’t for you. It will hurt (pretty bad at first), but in time you will come to see it as the gift it is—and you won’t waste time getting to know the wrong person. It may also be helpful to get to know yourself on your own, first. Spending sober time becoming familiar with your body intimately can help you better communicate your needs to someone else when you feel ready for that step. Thankfully, there have only been a few times when someone at the table hasn’t pointed it out on my behalf and adjusted accordingly.
Are Your Parents to Blame for Your Addiction?
The sober curious movement has gained steam recently, such as with the rise of interest in “Dry January” — a time when participants decide to not drink for the month of January. If you’re questioning the role alcohol plays in your life, you might be curious about what it’s like to lead a “sober life” without alcohol. You may want to start an exercise routine — exercise releases brain chemicals called endorphins, which can make you feel good. Or you might rather spend time volunteering for a good cause, like an animal shelter or children’s hospital. Whatever it is, new activities can lead to new friends with interests like yours.
You’ll Feel Better
When you’re in recovery, you don’t have to think about the effects of hangovers or blackouts. All of the above drug-related school and work issues can lead to smaller paychecks than non-users. For example, the National Bureau of Economic Research has shown that people who invest more in their education also make more money. Drug users are also two and half times more likely than non-users to have absences of eight or more days, which can result in a loss of over a quarter months earnings for each instance. Because of drug-related physical and mental health problems, addicts can be rendered unable to work, relying on welfare to survive. Substance abuse can have a profound impact on your mental clarity, affecting how you think, feel, and make decisions.
Digital Health and Wearable Devices
However, the road to recovery can be difficult, and many people struggle to quit on their own. Addiction to drugs or alcohol has devastating impacts on your physical health and causes many chronic illnesses, cancers, and other diseases — and even death. By getting help and reasons to stay sober finding recovery, you can avoid developing life-threatening complications from substance abuse. Sobriety brings about positive changes in both physical and mental health. One of the benefits is improved sleep patterns, leading to a reduction in instances of insomnia.
People in recovery generally agree that abstinence is necessary but remains just a starting point for a new, sober life. This article will describe sobriety in more detail, the challenges a person faces while working to stay sober, the options for treatment, and tips for building a sober lifestyle. Sobriety can be a particularly challenging pursuit for someone with an addiction like alcohol use disorder.