Sober Isnt Boring: Reasons to Love Sobriety Benefits of Soberiety
For a more complete description of the study design and collection of data see Polcin et al. (2010), Polcin et al. (in press) and Polcin, Korcha, Bond, Galloway and Lapp (in press). Some houses have a “residents’ council,” which functions as a type of government for the house. Alcoholism strips people of their ability to be trusted, seeing as they will go to any lengths to continue supporting their habit. You’ll find that when you get sober people actually start putting faith in you once again… which feels truly incredible. Things like taking a walk through the park on a nice day or waking up before noon will start to seem amazing.
Improved Immunity
- If you or someone you care about is struggling to live independently because of a substance use disorder, Options Residential Inc. is here to help.
- Sobriety can be a fixed-term goal like staying sober for a set period (such as Dry January), or a lifelong goal of staying sober from all substances.
- Your doctor can recommend medications that can help with alcohol withdrawal symptoms and cravings during your recovery.
- Friendships can be tricky things in early sobriety, especially when all of your friends are drinking buddies.
- Another way sobriety enhances your life is by giving you more time and energy to pursue hobbies and passions that bring you joy.
Now that you are sober, you may have discovered that some of your past relationships were not only unhealthy but downright toxic. It’s not just your drinking buddies and drug dealers who can get you into trouble—sometimes those who are closest to you can contribute to a relapse. One of the many benefits of sobriety is improved sleep quality. Substance abuse can significantly interfere with sleep quality and exacerbate insomnia, leading to fatigue and impaired functioning during the day. By choosing sobriety, you can enjoy better sleep patterns and overall restfulness.
Cognitive Benefits of Quitting Alcohol
The fact that residents in SLHs make improvement over time does not necessarily mean that SLHs will find acceptance in the community. In fact, one of reasons to stay sober the most frustrating issues for addiction researchers is the extent to which interventions that have been shown to be effective are not implemented in community programs. We suggest that efforts to translate research into treatment have not sufficiently appreciated how interventions are perceived and affected by various stakeholder groups (Polcin, 2006a).
- Nine of those are listed here if you need some inspiration to get sober or to assist you with a battle against temptation or difficulty.
- Six-month abstinence was a dichotomous yes/no regarding any use of alcohol of drugs over the past 6 months.
- Getting sober is a sprint, staying sober is like running a marathon without a finish line.
- Alcoholism and substance abuse stifles the beautiful person that you truly are.
- Developing a social network that supports ongoing sobriety is also an important component of the recovery model used in SLHs.
- Everything in your life can feel more manageable without the effects ofalcoholand drugs.
How To Stay Sober At Social Events
Some are structured in programs, such as the 12-step approach used by Alcoholics Anonymous and similar addiction recovery programs. There are common setbacks to getting and staying sober like withdrawal, craving, and pressure to use. Relapse rates for substance use addictions are around 40% to 60%.
Spend Time With Real Friends & Family
You’ll never finish everything you want to do, but if you set strict timelines, you’ll keep yourself on track for staying sober. Blog your progress or post in sober-friendly discussion forums (or reddit). While it’s true, people on the internet can be cut throat, if you find the right community, you’ll find nothing but support. 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. For many people who complete their stay at a rehabilitation center, therapy becomes part of the outpatient program.
- Time that may otherwise be spent heading out and buying alcohol has to be spent taking your dog for a walk — they need to go out.
- One of the more immediate benefits of getting sober is a surge in energy.
- Sobriety doesn’t mean that everything is going to go your way and that life is going to be perfect, but by staying sober today, you get to chart a new route and truly live.
Curfews and requirements for 12-step attendance are reduced. All residents, regardless of phase, are required to be active in 12-step recovery programs, abide by basic house rules, and abstain from alcohol and drugs. A “Resident Congress” consisting of current residents and alumni helps enforce house rules and provides input into the management of the houses. Although the owner/operator of the houses is ultimately responsible, she/he defers to the Residents Congress as much as possible to maintain a peer oriented approach to recovery.
Clean and Sober Transitional Living (CSTL)
- By the end of my drinking days, it was a wonder to me that I could do anything.
- When you catch yourself thinking of drinking, of wanting nothing more than to have one glass of whiskey, then stop and close your eyes.
- Sobriety can actually lead to improved emotional regulation.
- Drinking was an excellent painkiller and it worked really well for a long time.
- When you stop drinking, it can also reverse the negative effects alcohol has had on your cognitive functions like problem-solving, memory, and attention.
They help fill the void left by substance use and create a fulfilling, sober life. By setting achievable goals and pursuing personal development, you’re not just staying sober—you’re thriving in sobriety. If you find it difficult to make new, sober friends, try joining a support group. Spending more time with supportive loved ones and planning activities for the entire family can also help you develop a healthier lifestyle and avoid situations in which you would normally drink or use drugs. Programs like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA) have proven to be invaluable support systems for those seeking sobriety.