Tell your story, address your struggles and don’t be afraid to be open with others. You can always reach out to the I Am Sober app community and receive some healthy support there as well. When you feel yourself needing a drink, start reminding yourself what you’re thankful for. You can do this out loud or silently to yourself, but start reciting all the things you’re thankful for and appreciative of. Studies have shown that gratitude can improve your mental wellbeing and actually help you make better decisions.
- Start with something manageable, like one alcohol-free weekend or a dry month, and see how it feels.
- In 2019, he founded the video blog “A String Of Hope,” a platform that has become a beacon of inspiration and positive change for individuals seeking recovery, reaching millions worldwide.
- Studies have shown that gratitude can improve your mental wellbeing and actually help you make better decisions.
- Embrace this journey with an open heart and mind, and watch as your world transforms into one filled with possibilities, health, and happiness.
- How do you feel about yourself when you’re drinking or using drugs?
- Each individual will have their journey with addiction and sobriety, but typically, the first six months of sobriety are considered the most difficult.
Are Sober People Healthier?
Thebenefits of being soberinclude real relationships and experiences that you might otherwise miss out on, along with many other goodreasons to be sober. Taking charge of your life and committing to long-term sobriety is one of the best decisions you could make for yourself. When you go sober, you’ll have better physical and mental health, stronger relationships, and improved overall well-being.
The Challenges of Achieving Sobriety
One of the first things you discover after getting sober is how much time you have. Addiction devours your time which is a factor in many people’s relapse. They get bored and wander back to what they “think” they’d rather be doing. Something simple like working at your local (walking distance) deli.
Spend Time With Real Friends & Family
But people are diagnosed with these diseases every day, and if you abuse alcohol or drugs regularly, chances are high that you’ll eventually be one of them. When you’re sober, you don’t have to worry about developing life-threatening complications from your habits. When you are in recovery, you can overcome thesymptoms of addictionand instead have ahealthy lifestyle. You can replace substance misuse with exercise and physical activity. Thesober lifecan also give you the opportunity to think aboutnutritionas well. You’ll enjoy generalhealth and wellnessthat you can’t necessarily achieve if you’re drinking or using drugs.
It’s about rediscovering life without the haze of substances, where every emotion and experience is raw and real. Acknowledging and celebrating the hard work of recovery is helpful for keeping you motivated and reminding you why you took this brave step toward sobriety in the first place. Instead, focus on things, experiences, and activities that will support your new, healthy lifestyle. Many people use the terms “sobriety” and “abstinence” interchangeably, but they are not the same.
How Sober Living Homes Are Funded: Key Financial Insights
- If you often drink out of routine (like pouring a glass of wine after work), try swapping it for a different ritual, like making an alcohol-free cocktail or brewing a special tea.
- Shame is having negative beliefs about yourself and your self-worth.
- Vince ultimately got off with a $2.6 million compensation payment and three weeks in jail.
- Your mind may tell you it’s hopeless and that no one will ever trust you again.
- Alcohol is a depressant that can leave you feeling lethargic and fatigued.
You might face penalties Living in a Sober House: Fundamental Rules like losing your driver’s license or other legal issues, depending on local laws and regulations. Sobriety is a commitment to a new lifestyle and something that should be celebrated for years to come. Individual reasons for becoming sober range from everything from wanting more energy, to having contraindicated medications – such as Adderall and alcohol. Sobriety fatigue can vary from person to person but typically lasts around a month before newfound energy levels, routines, and therapeutic practices are in place.
Without the influence of substances, you have the opportunity to enjoysober relationshipswhileending toxic relationships. You can formauthentic relationshipsbuilt on mutual respect, interests, and understanding rather than just who is willing or available to drink or use drugs with you. 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. Again, if you’re fearing a relapse due to guilt, distress and shame, then close your eyes and imagine this scenario.
Freedom from continually impending withdrawal means having a significantly greater amount of choice in one’s life. You learn to deal with https://appsychology.com/living-in-a-sober-house/ life in a way that isn’t going to kill you. Being sober means you’re always in the clear to help out with a late-night lift.
It’s not about abstinence but about choosing a more mindful, intentional relationship with alcohol. The sober curious method is an approach to exploring life with reduced or no alcohol consumption without necessarily committing to permanent abstinence. It’s not about adhering to a strict program or set of rules but instead cultivating a mindset of mindfulness and intentionality regarding alcohol use.
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. One of the most obvious things you’ll love about being sober is the health benefits.
Support can also look like joining in-person and online support groups. One 2020 study found potential benefits of combining in-person and online support methods. So here’s a deep dive into the many reasons people struggle on their unique paths to sobriety as well as insights on how to overcome the fears and challenges they’ll likely meet along the way. 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. Sobriety refers to the physiological and psychological state of being unaffected by intoxicants.
