Although challenges are a normal part of the human experience, your life doesn’t need to be boring and mundane at all. It can, in fact, be infinitely more fun than active addiction. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of Sober Recovery’s “Terms of Use”, “Privacy Policy”, “Cookie Policy”, and “Health Disclaimer”. The material on this site is for informational purposes only, and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment provided by a qualified health care provider. When you’re not hungover, chances are you’re a lot more productive. Living a sober life usually means doing more of the things you’ve wanted to do.
Sober Isn’t Boring: Reasons to Love Sobriety
First there was “Dry January,” when people could brag on social media about how they were taking a break from booze. While recovery often leads to a happier life in the big picture, many people struggle with happiness in the earlier phases of recovery. There are many good reasons why this happens, including the way alcohol reasons to stay sober use impacts the brain, and the way drinking impacts peoples’ personal lives and habits. 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.
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When you’re sober, you’ll be able to eat a balanced diet and provide your body with the nutrients it needs to function properly. You also reduce the health risks and give your body a chance to heal. The grips of drug and alcohol addiction can deny you from appreciating and seeing your self-worth. When you remove substances from the equation, you will rediscover the person you truly are — a person worthy of love, respect, and limitless potential.
The 12 Things I Absolutely Love About Being Sober
Without substances, many people in recovery report clearer thoughts and more vivid experiences of the world around them. Throughout the recovery process, you’ll also learn new skills and coping strategies to handle emotions and feelings constructively. You may find life is more enjoyable and manageable without the substances you once depended on. When you’re sober, you’ll have more time to focus on yourself and your well-being.
Things That Inevitably Happen to Your Personal Life When You Get Sober
Chris Marshall is a certified substance abuse counselor and the founder of Sans Bar, a venue for “the nightlife experience” without the alcohol, in Austin, Texas. Not too long ago, a group of women in a bar who were not drinking alcohol would have seemed kind of strange. Still, abstaining from alcohol — on a short-term basis or longer term — is becoming more common. This might seem like a terrible thing; this is not a terrible thing. 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.
- This can lead to a more positive outlook on life and an increased sense of self-esteem and confidence.
- Throughout the recovery process, you’ll also learn new skills and coping strategies to handle emotions and feelings constructively.
- After a monthlong break, researchers measured levels of a liver enzyme called gamma-glutamyltransferase, or GGT.
- Post-acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS) involves withdrawal symptoms that persist past the detox period.
- Though sobriety usually feels impossible for people before they try, seeking treatment and ending substance use is life-changing for those who set themselves up to succeed.
- Also with sobriety, people commonly report feeling more in control and proud of their appearance.
We hear a lot about practicing mindfulness, not just in the recovery community but in mental health in general. Practicing mindfulness means that you’re focused on the present moment and enjoying it for all that it is, rather than thinking about the past or the future. Spending time and connecting with like-minded people is an important part of the recovery process, just as much as finding activities to do that don’t revolve around substance use. With improved energy and motivation, you may find yourself starting to exercise and taking better care of yourself.
You want a better life.
Many 12-step programs suggest that sobriety means total abstinence, which means never using the substance again. Other definitions, however, focus on the process of recovery and coping habits that support health and wellness over the long term. For many people with a substance use disorder, it’s simply a matter of never having learned the appropriate way to manage anger. Talk to your therapist, other healthcare provider, or sponsor about how to deal with your anger in ways that won’t cause you to harm yourself or others or turn to alcohol or drugs.
If you are seeking drug and alcohol related addiction rehab for yourself or a loved one, the SoberNation.com hotline is a confidential and convenient solution. I can only speak for myself, but this is one of the best parts of being sober. I’ve learned to take my time in life instead of doing everything as fast and as hard as I can.
Reasons Why It’s Good to be Sober
Your focus and attention span will improve, allowing you to do more. You’ll also have better decision-making skills for problem-solving and time management. The side effects that perhaps only you will ever notice, but you’ll absolutely love.
Reasons to Stay Sober: What’s Your WHY?
Digestive improvements can begin within the first few weeks as your body adjusts to the absence of alcohol, with more significant changes possibly taking a month or more. This newfound time opens doors to exploring hobbies, cultivating new skills, and investing in yourself. Also, the absence of hangovers means waking up feeling refreshed and ready to make the most of each day. You’ll probably start noticing more free time immediately as your evenings and weekends are no longer spent drinking or recovering from drinking. Once you embrace sobriety, it can also bring about a transformation not just in how you perceive yourself but also in your physical appearance to others. This contributes to a positive cycle of improved self-esteem and well-being.