By abstaining from alcohol and drugs, individuals can reduce their risk of physical and mental health problems, improve their relationships, and develop a greater sense of purpose and fulfillment. They may also have more time and energy to pursue hobbies and interests and enjoy meaningful connections.
I've found that staying sober has allowed me to be more attentive, loving, and patient in my interactions with others. In my current relationship, I am far less impatient, and far more confident. I find it easier to listen, and to take the time to understand another's needs and desires.
Being sober helps you to find your true self once again. Moreover, being sober can help you rebuild relationships, thrive in your career, and find happiness that is not clouded by addictive substances.
A 2018 study Mehta worked on followed a group of moderate drinkers who went sober for a month and compared them to a control group that kept up their old habits. The most noticeable benefits for the nondrinkers included better sleep and weight loss.
Addiction takes away your joy, relationships, self-esteem, finances, mental wellness, physical health, etc. But a sober lifestyle restores all that. It frees you from these things that hold you back, giving you the opportunity to have deeper and more meaningful connections and engage in activities that bring you joy.
According to Alcohol Change UK, who spearheaded the Dry January challenge, giving up alcohol this month will help you sleep better and have more energy, improve your mental health and concentration, give you brighter skin, help you save money and feel an amazing sense of achievement.
Living a sober life after going through addiction gives you a new perspective on life. This is because it allows you to see the world through new eyes after being clouded by alcohol and drugs for so long. Recovering from addiction also teaches you about yourself.
You may lose your job. You behave in ways that you never would have if you hadn't been under the influence of drugs or alcohol, and you may end up getting arrested or having other legal problems. If you continue to drink or drug, you may develop major health problems, some of which are irreversible.
For some, staying sober forever is the only way to avoid relapsing. For others, sobriety can be flexible, and they can enjoy the occasional drink with friends or family. Nonetheless, staying sober forever doesn't have to be a curse. Sober living can be incredibly rewarding and fun when you focus on the positives.
After One Year: Congrats on making it to 12 months! At this point, your risk of developing all types of disease will be reduced and your bone density will start to increase.5 Keep in mind that everyone is different and will experience different things when they stop drinking.
There's a lot of damage to your mental health and cognitive functioning that addiction to drugs or alcohol causes. After a year of sobriety, you'll find you're thinking more clearly, you can remember things better, and you can focus and make decisions better.
Physical Changes
One of the greatest rewards of sobriety is feeling physically better and healthier. Without alcohol in your life, you'll get better sleep, and wake up without a hangover. This can lead to more energy and productivity.
For some people, being sober may mean not experiencing any measurable effects of drugs or alcohol. To others, it could mean more than just avoiding using recreational or prescription drugs or drinking alcohol, but achieving good mental health.
You're in a better mood:
You might think alcohol puts you in a better mood, and it may for the short term, but according to a study published in American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, people reported less happiness as they used more alcohol, and felt less happy the day after drinking.
It's pretty normal to feel bored in early sobriety, but it's kind of related to not being used to feeling calm or peace. The feeling of things being too quiet or empty does pass. Don't be scared. I promise you will have so much fun in life without alcohol.
But, as drinking even at low levels increases the risk of these diseases, deciding to stop drinking completely is a positive choice. Drinking alcohol also causes other long-term health problems. Stopping drinking lowers the risk of: Heart disease, stroke10 and high blood pressure.
After 30 days of sobriety, the fog starts to clear from your brain and you finally feel like yourself again. This means you'll feel more energetic, sleep better, and you won't be fighting hangovers and other physical symptoms of drinking and drugs.
Research has shown that alcoholics who continue drinking die 10 to 15 years prematurely, and that those who quit drinking extend their life expectancies. Dr. Grant said his study was the first to show how long life could be extended.
Doctors guess that chronic alcohol abuse will lower a person's life expectancy by as many as twelve years. Though many people are aware that alcohol improves the likelihood of liver complications and heart disease, many people do not realize how many other risks alcohol poses.
However, by day 4 without alcohol, most people will have got beyond any initial withdrawal symptoms. All the alcohol will have left your system by now, and your body will begin to bounce back. If you're not as focused on alcohol, you may be eating better, drinking water, moving more, and perhaps sleeping more deeply.
Week three of giving up alcohol
Drinking too much alcohol can cause your blood pressure to rise over time. After 3-4 weeks of not drinking, your blood pressure will start to reduce. Reducing your blood pressure can be crucial as it can help to lessen the risk of health problems occurring in the future.
What do you mean by heavy drinking? For men, heavy drinking is typically defined as consuming 15 drinks or more per week. For women, heavy drinking is typically defined as consuming 8 drinks or more per week.
By breaking free from alcohol I was able to develop a relationship with myself that I never had before. The sober journey was one of self-discovery. Getting through the challenges of becoming sober has given me the confidence to handle anything that comes my way. This is probably the biggest benefit to sobriety.
In recovery, feelings of loneliness are not a sign that there's something wrong with you. Instead, these emotions are often a natural outcome of walking away from the people and places associated with your addiction. The chaotic world you became comfortable with has been stripped away.