Maintaining lifelong sobriety after going through an alcohol addiction treatment program isn’t always the easiest to do, but it’s worth it. Aside from the obvious reasons that come with breaking bad habits to live a better life, the health benefits of sobriety are countless, including improved overall wellbeing–both mental and physical. It can be very difficult to choose to start living sober. We know that better than anyone, but we also know that anyone can make the choice that betters their life. Here are a few health benefits you can expect with sobriety, and how to achieve your best life yet.
What Are Some Health Benefits of Sobriety?
There is no doubt that sobriety is a challenging goal, but the incredible health benefits of sobriety are unquestionably worth the effort. The benefits of a sober life far outweigh the challenges, and more significantly, far outweigh your old days of drinking and getting high. And we’re not just talking no more hangovers or embarrassing drunk texts. We’re talking about the lasting, meaningful, life-changing benefits of sobriety.
By quitting drugs and alcohol, you will look/feel healthier and better about yourself.
Perhaps one of the most profound benefits of sobriety is the physiological difference you will feel without drugs or alcohol in your system. You will sleep more soundly, allowing the body to fully recharge and heal. You will discover newfound energy and motivation, putting it towards exercise and healthy habits. You will regain your appetite and desire to prepare balanced meals. Your skin, hair, and eyes will also clear and renew. And with these benefits comes an invaluable boost in self-esteem and confidence. You will notice the difference, and others will too.
You can appreciate improved energy levels and improved sleep.
When you get sober, you may begin dealing with restless energy. You want to be doing something at all times, regardless of if it is working, exercising, cleaning, or something else. While your energy levels will even out eventually, this increase in energy may be a welcome change for you. If you have recently become sober, you may find you have more energy and an increase in productivity. Also, consider your sleep patterns when you were still using and drinking. Chances are, you dealt with interrupted and restless sleep. Alcohol and drugs can impact REM sleep, which is the deep sleep that everyone needs to function properly. A huge health benefit of sobriety is the ability to sleep more soundly. You will find it is easier to fall asleep naturally, remain asleep, and wake up without the use of chemicals. Also, hangovers will be a thing of the past.
Health benefits of sobriety – Give your liver a break.
Alcohol is one of the main causes of liver disease. Even mild drinking increases your risk of developing fatty liver disease and mild fibrosis. More serious liver diseases, such as alcoholic hepatitis and cirrhosis, often happen as a result of a lifetime of drinking. The good news is that the liver is a regenerative organ, so even if you have been drinking for a while, there is still a lot of merit to getting sober. Not only will sobriety stop your liver from getting any worse, it will also help it to heal.
Remove Toxins
When you stop polluting your body with toxins from drugs and alcohol, your body begins to detox and cleanse itself. You are no longer putting those chemicals in your body and this allows your internal systems to reset, offering our bodies the chance to work more efficiently and with less strain. This creates an environment in our body that is much closer to what it was intended to be and you will start to notice that you begin to function at a much more optimal level.
You can enjoy improved memory overall.
Drinking any type of alcohol is not good for your memory. If you blackout from drinking so much, you actually won’t be able to remember much of anything at all. Doing this regularly will impact your functioning daily, but it will also make it harder for you to be in the moment during important events like work or social occasions. You may be in a haze during the day after a long night of drinking because your body and brain are still trying to recover. This may mean you miss out on important things, like time for real self-care, keeping up with work schedules, having positive relationships, or general opportunities in your life. When you stop using drugs and alcohol, you’ll find one of the health benefits of sobriety is that you actually remember the things that happen around you with ease.
Enjoy your free time again.
Once you’re sober, it’s fascinating to reflect on how much time you really have. Alcohol messes with our rewards system in the brain, causing us to seek out substances that provide immediate gratification. This is what leads many people suffering from Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) to see all activities as a means to an end. For true addicts, it’s not simply drinking alcohol, it’s how often they spend thinking about it. When you’re sober, however, you don’t waste your time thinking of when you’ll drink again, nor do you go out of your way to drink again. Plus, assuming you’ve eliminated all your triggers, there’s a good chance your schedule has freed up tremendously, so you have time to explore or start new projects.
Health Benefits of Sobriety – Find sober activities you love.
So, you’ve made it through the hard part. You’ve completed your treatment in a recovery center and you’re ready to start building your new, sober life. But it’s not quite as easy as that. Your old hobbies, friends, and habits might not fit your new lifestyle. You need to find some fun sober activities. Don’t worry, you’re not alone. To find the healthy activities that will ensure your free time is enjoyable and productive, try:
- Making a list of ideas — When looking for sober activities that will appeal to you, think about what you liked to do before you had a problem with substance abuse. How did you spend your leisure time? It may be helpful to write down some ideas over a period rather than putting pressure on yourself to come up with several of them all at once.
- Looking for new experiences — You are not the same person you were before you developed an addiction, so it makes sense your taste in hobbies and activities may have changed. Add some ideas about activities you would like to try but have not had a chance to yet.
- Being flexible about the activities you choose — The activities you decide to put on your list of things to try in early recovery may not be the ones you decide to stick with as your recovery progresses. This phase in your life is a new one for you, a time when you will be trying some new things to see what will work for you. You may find that some of the sober activities you try out aren’t exactly a good fit for your personality, lifestyle, athletic ability, etc. You are not required to stick with a specific activity simply because you tried it or it worked for someone else you know who is also a recovering addict.
Enjoy the Health Benefits of Sobriety – Harmony Ridge is here to help!
When it comes to sobriety, there’s no question that there are more than a few benefits. Be sure to keep the information here in mind to understand what could happen to you, and the health and wellness benefits you could see when you are fully sober. Knowing what these benefits are will help you see why making this change is such a good idea. Don’t take your sobriety for granted; it is a huge gift!
