Living a sober life will give you way more time than living with addiction. This is because when you suffer from addiction, you become consumed with getting more alcohol or drugs and that alone. But, when you become sober, you get to have all the time that you would have normally used to obtain substances while suffering from addiction.
You’ll Improve Relationships
I had a period of time where I had to get used to going out with friends and not being a part of the drinking activities. In 2016, something snapped, and I realised I didn’t want to be doing this anymore. Unfortunately, this well-intentioned method didn’t work out too well for me; after one or two glasses, I almost always wanted more. This resulted in a couple situations where I got a bit too drunk and woke up feeling awful. There are Apps you can download to track your progress.
- At some point after college, it just didn’t matter if someone had a meal that was four dollars more than mine, or if they ate more edamame, or even if they had one more drink than I did.
- If you suffer from an alcohol use disorder, you’ve likely spent large amounts of money on alcohol.
- When frequently using alcohol or other substances, life can become chaotic, making it challenging to stick to a schedule.
- Alcohol and drugs aren’t conducive to good sleep – they can keep you up late at night, make it hard to fall asleep when you want to, or make you sleepy during the daytime.
- This is especially true since you’re likely not taking care of your physical or mental health as it is while suffering from addiction.
Longer Lifespan and Improved Quality of Life
I’ve mentioned this in a previous post, but in case you missed it, did you know the average person spends TWO YEARS of their life hungover? Or hey, I’ve been feeling low-energy and bummed out lately. Now, I can deal with them the same way you would deal with any chronic disease. I continue to suffer from anxiety and have to amphetamine addiction treatment manage it, but it doesn’t ruin my life like before. If I do something that requires an apology these days, it comes from a place of genuine misunderstanding. That is much easier to handle than drunk shenanigans that got out of hand.
Increased Energy and Vitality
As a result, you develop a better understanding of the world around you, how it impacts you personally, and what actions you can take to stay sober for the long-haul. Leading a sober life is a journey filled with challenges and triumphs. It requires understanding, commitment, and the support of a compassionate community.
You don’t need substances to numb anything anymore, and that gives you a lightness and confidence that’s unbeatable. Addiction can wreak havoc on relationships, but sobriety helps you rebuild the bridges you thought were burned. You’ll laugh harder with friends, reconnect with family, and create relationships that actually feel good.
- Sobriety may look boring, difficult, and unappealing, but the drinking or substance use might be starting to impact the rest of your life, making things even more challenging to manage.
- Jumping into sobriety isn’t just about cutting out alcohol – it’s also about unlocking benefits that make life a whole lot sweeter.
- You have to believe that there is something out there that can fuel your sober life in a meaningful way and actually care about finding it.
- Maybe you’re newly sober and the pink cloud never showed up for you or you’re struggling to adjust to a sober lifestyle.
- You may want to build a closer relationship with your loved ones.
- You’re more likely to surround yourself with other people who also misuse substances, and that can mean you never really get to know people without the influence of these substances.
Much of our social behaviors involve the use of substances in one form or another. Even if you’re is life better sober not an addict, living a sober lifestyle can seem like a difficult feat. That being said, you might not be at a place where you want people to know you’re not drinking, and that’s OK. You can provide an excuse, like that you’re on antibiotics, or you aren’t feeling great or want to feel fresh for something you have going on the next day. It’s important to remember that you never have to give yourself up to make other people comfortable—ever.
I used to believe that sobriety was the ultimate goal. If I could get sober, I would effectively eliminate 90% of the problems in my life and shut down the internal war that had been waging in my brain. If I just stop drinking alcohol, my life will turn around. Life after addictionmight 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. Our Treatment Advisors are available 24 hours a day to help you or a loved one access care.
#7: Focus and Achieve Your Goals.
Without the cycle of planning, engaging in, and recovering from drinking activities, hours once dedicated to alcohol become available for other pursuits. You’ll probably start noticing more free time immediately as your evenings and weekends are no longer spent drinking or recovering from drinking. Usually noticed within the first few weeks into sobriety as energy levels and motivation begin to improve. 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. Usually apparent within the first month, with continued improvement over the following months.