Life after addiction might also mean you have more professional success and new creative outlets that you discover when drugs and alcohol aren’t occupying all of your time. Any big life change naturally brings a sense of fear or unease. That said, while “recovery” and “sobriety” are different terms, they’re also used interchangeably in some instances. Plus, being in recovery typically involves maintaining sobriety, so the two are somewhat intertwined. While sobriety is well worth the effort required to achieve it, choosing sobriety is a significant endeavor that requires courage, difficult conversations, and significant life changes.
The impacts of substance abuse on your mental and emotional health can be severe and debilitating. If you suffer from depression, anxiety or other mental health issues, drugs and alcohol will significantly worsen your condition. https://ecosoberhouse.com/article/how-to-rebuild-your-life-after-addiction-how-to-regain-trust/ Addiction blocks mental clarity, prevents healing from trauma and causes emotional instability. In fact, drug and alcohol abuse can cause mental and emotional health issues that did not exist prior to using.
Sober Isn’t Boring: Reasons to Love Sobriety
Chronic substance use can impair your ability to think quickly, clearly, and retain information. Depending on the substance, the effect can vary, but I’ve personally talked to many people who noticed a significant negative impact on their brain function. Your mind may tell you’re worthless and that you don’t deserve a better life. However, others striving for or in sobriety may find themselves asking “Why is sobriety so hard? ” Lifestyle modifications can be uncomfortable and perhaps even generate anger and resentment.
Drinking was an excellent painkiller and it worked really well for a long time. In sobriety, we come to terms with our childhood traumas, abuse we’ve suffered and emotional pain. The 12-step recovery plan is a one-size-fits-all painkiller.
Finding Help to Get Sober
If these emotions become excessive, they can hold you back from recovery. If you are trying to maintain a sober lifestyle, those feelings can become toxic and contribute to relapse if you don’t deal with them properly. People in recovery from a substance use disorder frequently have problems meeting work-related responsibilities, maintaining employment, and managing money. If you were active in your addiction for a period of time, you may have developed financial problems. Now that you are sober, you may have discovered that some of your past relationships were not only unhealthy but downright toxic. 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.
When you are in recovery, you can overcome the symptoms of addiction and instead have a healthy lifestyle. You can replace substance misuse with exercise and physical activity. The sober life can also give you the opportunity to think about nutrition as well.
Avoid Old Routines and Habits
Without the influence of drugs and alcohol, the impacts of depression, anxiety and stress lighten, freeing you to appreciate all that you have. Check out our Recovery Stories from alumni to read how sobriety has affected their lives. Maintaining sobriety requires a combination of strategies and tips that can help individuals stay on track toward their recovery goals. Building a strong support system is crucial, whether it’s friends, family, or fellow sober individuals who understand the challenges of addiction. In addition, sobriety can boost your self-esteem and self-confidence. By staying sober, you prove to yourself that you have the strength and willpower to overcome addiction, which can greatly improve how you perceive yourself as a recovered alcoholic.
Over time, and with hard work on myself, I have become much more comfortable in the present moment. I am not especially cursed with the hardships that life throws at me. Issues like politics, God, health and personal life choices would get me so angry. I just couldn’t fathom how people thought differently than I.
You can rebuild relationships.
Exercise increases endorphins, which are the “feel-good” chemicals in the brain. It can be a good replacement for the release of endorphins caused by drinking alcohol. If you are invited to a bar or restaurant for a social gathering and want to take this approach to being sober curious, try to only attend events at places where alcohol isn’t the main focus.
- These mechanisms will pave the way for overcoming hardship without relying on a substance.
- However, if they’re still opening and actively consuming substances in your presence, you may still need to separate yourself.
- If you are trying to maintain a sober lifestyle, those feelings can become toxic and contribute to relapse if you don’t deal with them properly.
- If this is you, counseling may be a helpful way to work through difficult thoughts and painful emotions driving the urge to use substances.
- Sometimes having faith means knowing that everything will be ok.
They can also prescribe medications that can help with withdrawal, cravings, and abstinence. It can be helpful to talk to other people interested in being sober curious. Having a friend who is also sober curious can make it easier to navigate social situations where drinking is encouraged or expected. Drinking frequently or heavily has several serious health effects.
Pay Attention to Your Alcohol Consumption
Alcohol use disorders, according to studies, affect one in eight adults in the United States, and for many sobriety is the only option for overcoming the disorder. By Michelle Pugle
Michelle Pugle, MA, MHFA is a freelance health writer as seen in Healthline, Health, Everyday Health, Psych Central, and Verywell. I have my family, I have my health, I have my dream girl, I have my dog who has been with me through all of this and still wags his tail when I walk in the door. No matter how much I disagree with someone, I am able to stay open minded and put myself in their shoes. I have learned, through time and through self analysis, that the world is gray.
When a better, happier, longer life is the payoff, it makes a strong case to give up alcohol for good. Acknowledging and celebrating the hard work of recovery is helpful for keeping you motivated and reminding you why you reasons to stay sober took this brave step toward sobriety in the first place. Just be sure that your rewards don’t involve drugs or alcohol. Instead, focus on things, experiences, and activities that will support your new, healthy lifestyle.
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