By combining these strategies and staying committed to the process, individuals can achieve and maintain a fulfilling, sober life. If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction and are ready to live a sober life, contact The Recovery Village. One of our caring intake coordinators will be happy to discuss your specific situation and a comprehensive treatment plan to address both the addiction and any co-occurring mental health disorders. Everything in your life can feel more manageable without the effects ofalcoholand drugs. Thebenefits of being soberinclude real relationships and experiences that you might otherwise miss out on, along with many other goodreasons to be sober. One big reason people feel so afraid of sobriety is because of what they see in the media, pop culture and even from people they know on social media.
Reasons to Stay Sober: Your Ultimate Guide
When you’re focusing all of your time and energy on your addiction, you don’t have time to meet new people and build rewarding relationships. Staying sober will help you better appreciate all of the wonderful people that surround you. Even if you continue to go to work, your performance will eventually suffer under the effects of substance abuse. Think of the possibilities you can pursue when you break free from the cycle of addiction—a new career, promotions, good relationships with your coworkers, a stable routine. Staying sober will allow your body to recover, which will help you feel better in the long run, both physically and mentally.
Spend Time With Real Friends & Family
If a wedding is happening, but you’re worried about being surrounded by alcohol, then politely decline to attend. Getting sober is a sprint, staying sober is like running a marathon without a finish line. On the plus side, you have people cheering you on and giving you support at various checkpoints. On the negative side, you will have long stretches of isolation, sweating bullets, seeing spots, and feeling like your legs are going to give out as you hit the runner’s wall.
Withdrawal Symptoms
When you feel the pull to drink again, you can stay sober by reading up on what’s happening in your head that’s making you think you want to drink. My friend, if you can go months and months without drinking, you can do anything! If you’re ready to start on your path toward sobriety, American Addiction Centers (AAC) can help. Alcohol.org is a subsidiary of AAC, a nationwide provider of addiction treatment centers offering a combination of proven therapies and services to meet your individual needs.
In addition to improving your mental well-being, it may lower your risk for some mental illness and contribute to better sleep. Triggers for using drugs and alcohol typically are people, places, and things that remind you of your addictive behavior or encourage the use of substances you’re avoiding. Sobriety can be a fixed-term goal like staying sober for a set period (such as Dry January), or a lifelong goal of staying sober from all substances. The cost of alcohol adds up quickly, financial savings are one of the most tangible benefits of staying sober. Money that was once spent on alcohol can now be redirected towards more rewarding and fulfilling experiences, such as vacations, hobbies, or savings for future goals. Abstaining from alcohol can dramatically enhance your physical health.
New instances of mental illness
Healthy boundaries are a critical part of self-care, especially during the holidays. Can you sincerely say that you’re actively attempting to make the world a better place? Addiction is a selfish disease, one that disallows you from thinking of anyone else’s needs. Getting sober will allow you to help others in ways you may never have deemed possible. You’ll be able to develop and maintain lasting relationships.
These benefits can be seen in many aspects of life, from improved job performance to better decision-making. Additionally, sobriety can lead to a greater sense of self-worth and a more positive outlook on life. Substance abuse has been linked to an increase in criminal activities, such as violence and theft. By staying sober, you can reduce the likelihood of engaging in criminal behavior, making your community a safer place for everyone. Open and honest communication is essential for maintaining healthy, sober relationships. Substance abuse can impair your ability to communicate effectively and cause misunderstandings or conflicts.
- But this time of year can also be a great time to reflect and remember why you started your recovery journey.
- Because he is a member of a support group that stresses the importance of anonymity at the public level, he does not use his photograph or his real name on this website.
- We provide customizable rehabilitative services to help people struggling with addiction learn the skills they need to live independently.
- A big part of getting sober is plugging you into a new environment, detached from your usual acquaintances, and receiving constant guidance from trained professionals.
- This is one of the reasons, the I Am Sober app focuses on celebrate your milestones, so you see the immediate reward as you build to longer and longer milestones.
Just for today, you don’t have to be a slave to alcoholism. Your doctor can recommend medications that can help with alcohol withdrawal symptoms and cravings during your recovery. Naltrexone is one type of medication that can help reduce alcohol cravings, making it easier for some people to stop drinking.
The 10 Benefits of Being Sober and Why It’s Worth It
Other medicines, counseling, and psychosocial support can also help to abstain or reduce unhealthy drinking. The important point is that one must be aware of the bad consequences of drinking and take steps to stop or reduce excessive drinking. According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 9.2 million U.S. adults had both mental health disorders and a substance use disorder in 2018, yet nearly 60% did not get treatment. When you quit drinking, you’ll probably notice that the colds, flu, and other illnesses you always seem to catch happen less often. When you do get sick, you’ll probably feel like you recover more easily when you’re sober. Quitting alcohol has a number of important mental health benefits.
- 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.
- If you need extra support on your recovery journey, we can help.
- Adopting a sober lifestyle comes with numerous health benefits that can significantly improve your overall well-being.
- You’ll enjoy generalhealth and wellnessthat you can’t necessarily achieve if you’re drinking or using drugs.
When you feel the pull of alcohol, stop and check in with what that feels like. Don’t try reasons to stay sober to fight it or curse yourself for “letting” it happen, see if you can interpret how it feels; the quality of the urge. Think of how the feeling is affecting you and try to ride it out. Some of the most creative people used artistic expression to showcase what they’re feeling. Being sober can be stressful, but it doesn’t need to be — and it certainly won’t be forever.
