You may have relied on alcohol or other substances to relax in social settings, and you might wonder if all the fun and exciting times of your life are behind you. It's possible to learn to enjoy yourself without alcohol, but it may take time and practice.
Over time, your body can begin to recover from the influence of alcohol, and you can expect: A healthier heart and cardiovascular system. Decreased risk of cancers. Fewer illnesses due to your immune system improving.
Long-term benefits
And by taking the decision to stop drinking, you could reduce your risk of developing many serious alcohol-related diseases. Alcohol is linked to seven different types of cancer including bowel cancer, breast cancer, liver cancer and mouth cancer.
The truth is that no one needs alcohol to live, so regardless of what you've heard or want to believe, alcohol is not essential in our diets. We consume alcohol to relax, socialize, and/or celebrate.
You Need Stimulation. One of the reasons you might find you are bored without alcohol is because you need more stimulation. For the longest time, you numbed your brain rather than engaging it. Now it is suddenly fired up and engaged, yet you're not doing anything with it.
Even though the initial phase can be hard, most people who stay sober for the long haul will tell you that they feel more joy and fulfillment than they ever felt when they were drinking. People get their health back, and have the time and energy to pursue careers and relationships that fulfill them.
- Caffeinated Energy Drinks: Caffeinated energy drinks are some of the most popular functional drinks on the market. They are packed with caffeine and other stimulants, which can give you a quick buzz.
However, the fact is that exercise releases endorphins that are responsible for feelings of euphoria and happiness, just like alcohol. In fact, many people refer to a good workout as a “runner's high.” Exercise's physical and mental effects can actually mimic that feeling you get when drinking alcohol.
In sobriety, the fallout from alcoholism comes into sharp focus, which can be pretty depressing. Boredom and loneliness. When just starting out in recovery you may struggle with feelings of loneliness and boredom. Drinking took up such a huge chunk of real estate in your life, so without it life looks quite different.
When you're sober, your life doesn't end. In fact, many people feel that it's just beginning. Life after addiction allows you to feel more in control of your activities and your relationships. Everything in your life can feel more manageable without the effects of alcohol and drugs.
Recovery doesn't disqualify you from going to a party, game or concert, if those are activities you enjoy. However, it's important to create a new definition of what's fun for you when substance use isn't involved. “People need to remember that we can still have fun even though we're sober,” Campbell said.
Excessive drinking can increase your risk of serious health problems, including: Certain cancers, including breast cancer and cancers of the mouth, throat, esophagus and liver. Pancreatitis. Sudden death if you already have cardiovascular disease.
A sober life allows you to cultivate a deep and meaningful relationship with yourself. You learn new skills, interests, and learn just how much you can overcome when you put your mind to it. This is one of the most beautiful things a sober life can offer you.
Being in control of yourself is way more appealing than being inebriated on a first date, but learning how to date while sober is a challenge of its own. It can be extremely nerve-wracking to show up and meet someone new without the crutch of substances to open you up or calm you down.
After Six Months: After half a year without drinking, you will really start to reap the rewards. Your risk of developing cancer will decrease, and your liver function will have greatly improved. 2 You'll also have more energy and stamina,1 and you may notice that your skin looks healthier.
In the first 6 months of your sobriety, your body will start getting rid of toxins in order to become healthier. By the 6 month mark, your skin appears healthier. People around you notice your eyes are clearer. You've been taking care of yourself and bathing regularly, so your hygiene has improved.
It may take a full month of not drinking alcohol to feel better. Although positive changes may appear earlier, 3 months of not drinking can not only improve your mood, energy, sleep, weight, skin health, immune health, and heart health. It can even reduce your risk of cancer.
Mood problems.
Your mood should get better within 3 to 6 weeks. Tell your doctor if it doesn't. You may need treatment for long-term symptoms or an undiagnosed mental health condition.
Do true feelings come out when you're drunk? True feelings may come out when you're drunk, but this isn't necessarily true all the time. Instead, alcohol can make people make fake stories and react with emotions they don't feel.
Drinking any amount of alcohol can change the way you think, act, and feel. Drinking a lot of alcohol for a long period of time can affect your mood, your relationships, and your priorities. Alcohol may not fully change your personality on its own.
High blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, liver disease, and digestive problems. Cancer of the breast, mouth, throat, esophagus, voice box, liver, colon, and rectum. Weakening of the immune system, increasing the chances of getting sick.
Alcohol is a depressant which affects your brain's natural level of happiness chemicals like serotonin and dopamine. This means that although you'll feel an initial 'boost' the night before, the next day you will be deficient in these same chemicals, which may lead to feeling anxious, down or depressed.