A lifestyle of drug and alcohol sobriety seems like a scary and difficult thing to commit to. Those recovering from addiction have to deal with withdrawal symptoms, cravings and urges, and potential relapses. Staying sober is also a challenge for those without any substance use disorders. Plenty of our social practices involve some form of substance.
Despite it being a rough road, once a person starts their journey on sobriety, their lives will significantly change for the better.
How does it feel being sober?
Why is reaching sobriety such a long process?
The early stages of alcohol and drug sobriety are considered the hardest. The person will go through mild to severe withdrawal symptoms. They will struggle to fight temptations, urges, and cravings. In some unfortunate cases, they give in, relapse, and sometimes overdose.
In an article by Segue Recovery Group, the person will also struggle mentally and emotionally. If the individual began abusing to repress their emotions, quitting can unexpectedly bring these up along with new ones that emerged in getting clean.
Be that as it may, the benefits of sober living greatly outweigh the difficulties.
What are the benefits of staying sober?
1. Improved diet
Cravings for sweet, salty, and greasy food heighten when someone is under the influence. Being sober allows that person to eat well. They have better control over what they eat, have fewer of these cravings, and are not surrounded by the likes of bar food.
2. Stable weight
Subsequently, eating better will stabilize one’s weight. Without consuming junk food, the person can gain or lose a healthy amount of weight. More than that, drugs and alcohol are full of empty calories. Some people even skip meals when they are under the influence, resulting in dramatically losing weight.
When they become sober, they can consume healthier products and stop gaining or losing unnecessary weight.
3. Better sleep
Individuals dealing with substance use disorders do not get the sleep they need, a common side effect of many drugs. On the surface level, lack of sleep causes the person to feel irritable, foggy, and
Moreover, being sleep-deprived is generally unhealthy and brings up several health consequences.
Psychological risks include:
Anxiety;
Paranoia; and
Depression.
Physical effects include:
Weight gain;
Weakened immune system; and
Respiratory infections.
Staying sober allows the person to change and stick to a healthy sleep schedule, feeling alert and refreshed every day.
4. Prevent drug- and alcohol-related health issues
Abusing drugs and alcohol increases the chances of contracting substance-related problems like liver diseases. A sober lifestyle eliminates the possibility of getting sick because of these substances.
5. Healthier lifestyle
Drugs and alcohol weaken the immune system, and abusing them damages it even more. Addiction also significantly impacts the person’s life, making them put these substances in the center.
Removing these substances from their lives not only improves their physical health but their mental, emotional, and social health, as well.
6. Memory boost
Binge drinking and taking copious amounts of drugs often lead to blackouts. Long-term abuse gradually damages a person’s memory, making it foggy and unreliable. Without these substances in their system, the person is sharper, more alert, and is better at remembering.
7. Save money
Even the cheapest drug puts a hole in one’s pocket, especially when it leads to addiction. The constant need for drugs and alcohol hurts the person financially.
When they start a sober lifestyle, they can remove drugs from their expenses, allowing them to save and spend their money on more important things.
Plus, being of sound mind and body lets them be wiser in handling their money.
8. Stronger relationships
One factor that contributes to continued substance abuse is people enabling the problem. When a person is sober, they can surround themselves with a support system helping them in recovery. Without drugs and alcohol, people can spend more time and energy with people who matter the most.
9. Become more productive
Cutting out these harmful substances frees time and energy that can be used on better things. The person will not waste time taking drugs, nursing hangovers, or sleeping during the day. They will also have higher energy levels to stay focused on work, school, or personal activities.
10. Have a wholesome kind of fun
It’s sort of a norm that drinking and taking recreational drugs are needed to have fun. On the contrary, intoxication only brings temporary enjoyment. Without these substances, a person can find other ways to have fun and push their boundaries without being high or drunk.
How long does staying sober last?
There is no definitive answer to this question. Ideally, staying sober lasts forever, despite the many challenges and tribulations. But the length of sobriety ultimately depends on the individual.
If a strong support system surrounds them and they can say “no” to temptations, they can stay sober as long as they can.
What is the best way to get sober?
The road to recovery and sobriety depends on the individual and their situation.
For people with severe addiction problems, an inpatient rehab treatment may be the one for them. Here, they will stay in a rehab facility 24/7 and receive concentrated care. It also has a structured program made for the person that will fully guide them to recovery.
If their abuse problem is considered mild, they can opt for outpatient rehab treatment as it’s less restrictive than inpatient programs. Generally, a person in this kind of program receives individual and group counseling, education on drug abuse, techniques to cope with drug loss, and support.
Another option to consider is sober living homes. Turnbridge lists some benefits of living in these houses. Here are three of them.
1. Constant guidance and support
Sober living homes surround individuals seeking help with people who support them and hold them accountable. These homes usually have site managers that offer assistance 24/7. They are there to help when someone has cravings, down emotions, or trouble living a normal life.
2. Build sober and meaningful relationships
Sober living homes also house people with similar situations related to substance abuse. They can connect, bond, and become each other’s support systems.
3. Easier transition to mainstream society
Recovery does not end after rehab. It’s an ongoing commitment that requires strength and continued support. Sober living homes have an environment that allows people to transition back to regular life easier-- it acts as a bridge between treatment and mainstream living.
Are you someone or know someone struggling with drug abuse and looking for drug treatment centers in Oregon? Turn to Recovery Blvd Treatment Center. You can visit us at 1316 SE 12th Avenue Portland, Oregon 97214, contact us at (800) 922-0095, or visit our website here.
Disclaimer: This post serves a strictly educational use. It does not reflect the services, products, or therapeutic approaches of this establishment or its healthcare practitioners. This blog aims not to advertise the products, services, or therapeutic approaches of any other establishment that may be associated with this site. On the subject of safe or legal services, products, and appropriate therapies, recommendations ought to be given by a qualified professional on a case-to-case basis.