Despite what you may think, it’s never too late to repair these relationships. Staying reasons to stay sober sober will give you the best chance of healing and building new connections. Remember the horrible things that happened when you were using drugs or alcohol?

#4: It’s Less Expensive

• By prioritizing your well-being, you can overcome the challenges of addiction and embrace a fulfilling life.
• Free to do what you want, free to be yourself, and free to live the life you deserve.
• By eliminating substances, you can create a foundation for a healthy, active lifestyle that supports your long-term wellness goals.
• It’s common to go through ups and downs as you figure out your new sober lifestyle.
• If being sober is just as difficult as using substances, or worse, this may be a sign that some underlying issues are needing to be addressed.
• Imagine attending one of the world’s biggest sporting events, and not having to deal with cars or traffic.

If alcohol has become your default choice, pausing to make intentional decisions is the first step toward a healthier relationship. Each time you consciously choose something other than drinking, you’re practicing mindfulness. But during my break from alcohol, I’ve navigated festivals, nightclubs, work drinks and rooms full of new people with just a lime and soda in hand, and it’s been strangely empowering. Meeting new people and building lasting relationships without any liquid courage wasn’t just fun and rewarding, it also validated the fact that drink-free me has plenty to offer. For someone who’s historically struggled with self-confidence, this gave me a huge boost. Early in recovery one believes, “I need others in this journey to help me stay sober” and “Recovery isn’t easy.” Humility was displayed during this early stage as support was embraced and utilized.

What NOT to Say to Someone in Recovery

Carrie Nation was trying to transform the soul of her country. It’s easy to fall into all-or-nothing thinking, believing that the only way to benefit from Dry January is by staying completely dry. While it’s true that longer abstinence brings more benefits, one or two slipups don’t erase marijuana addiction the positive effects of the days you stayed alcohol-free.

• As I grew a bit older, the days after drinking started to feel unfamiliarly grey, and I hated how sluggish I felt.
• Although being sober has been worth it for Stephanie, along with many other individuals I’ve spoken to, there are still some people who may disagree.
• Substance abuse can significantly interfere with sleep quality and exacerbate insomnia, leading to fatigue and impaired functioning during the day.
• One of the benefits is improved sleep patterns, leading to a reduction in instances of insomnia.

Your support helps us to tell the story

The journey to sobriety is continuous, often filled with its fair share of ups and downs. Understanding what to say to a recovering alcoholic or someone grappling with drug addiction can be challenging if you have not faced these experiences yourself. Prolonged marijuana and alcohol use reduces the chances of graduation from both high school https://ecosoberhouse.com/ and college. Additionally, women who use drugs enter the workforce later than women who don’t. In general, drug use can lead to workplace theft and distraction from the job due to thinking about using or getting drugs.

Once a person stops using substances, mental clarity and emotional balance begin to return. Feeling embarrassed is a common and understandable emotion for individuals who have struggled with addiction. Addiction can lead to behaviors that individuals may later regret or feel ashamed of, contributing to feelings of embarrassment. Even those who use drugs and alcohol on an extensive level will find themselves battling embarrassment on a routine basis.

• Addiction can profoundly impact relationships with family and friends in various ways.
• Everything in your life can feel more manageable without the effects ofalcoholand drugs.
• Small amounts of alcohol make humans what they want to be.” explains Nutt.
• Even with setbacks, the act of committing to alcohol-free choices will help you cultivate mindfulness and enjoy the benefits of reduced alcohol consumption.
• These groups provide a sense of belonging and different methodologies that may resonate better with some individuals, helping them stay accountable and reduce feelings of loneliness and isolation.
• These activities can provide positive distractions and fulfillment, reducing the temptation to revert to substance abuse.

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.

• Remember, the journey to sobriety is unique for each individual.
• There are two main ways ditching alcohol has benefitted my health.
• Whether someone is just beginning to consider becoming sober or has been on the path for years, these benefits are a powerful reminder of why maintaining sobriety is worth every effort.
• For many people with a substance use disorder, it’s simply a matter of never having learned the appropriate way to manage anger.
• Anger is a normal and natural emotion, but how you deal with it will make a difference in maintaining your recovery.
• They may not have outwardly told you, but more than likely, someone you know admires you for your choice to live sober.