7 Amazing Benefits of Being Sober Worth Changing Your Life For
For addicts, it can often be impossible to imagine a world without that constant craving. The longer you’re addicted to a substance, the harder it becomes to interact with others, perform tasks at work, and even maintain close relationships.
The scariest part about becoming sober is often having to relearn everything about yourself and others that you’ve forgotten.
However, all that hard work and determination will finally feel worth it once you’ve completed the journey to sobriety and taken back your life. If you need a few reminders of why you should consider going to rehab, ready our seven reasons why being sober is worth the fight.
1. Better Relationships
All those years of being addicted to drugs and/or alcohol have likely left you isolated from your friends and family. It will be awkward at first, but once you’re sober, you’ll be able to rebuild relationships with the people you care about.
This is especially true if you are a parent. Your children will recognize and appreciate that you can now pay attention when you’re around them and that you’re far more patient.
Being sober also gives you the opportunity to build new relationships with people who will be a positive influence. With a clear mind, you’ll be able to discover new hobbies and find people who share those interests. It’s very important to find positive friends who won’t lead you back down the path of addiction.
2. Improved Memory
When you were under the influence, days usually came and went in a blur. You had to be reminded of conversations you had and sometimes couldn’t keep track of where you were. You were never fully in the moment.
However, when you’re sober, all of that changes. Not only will you remember the conversations you had with friends and coworkers. You’ll remember strangers’ names, what people were wearing.
Every moment will mean more to you because you know you’ll be able to keep it forever
3. Look Better
Long-term addicts often suffer from malnutrition, and this can have serious internal and visible effects on the body.
Once your body stops taking in toxins every day, you’ll also begin to see changes in your appearance. You’ll notice that your skin is brighter and smoother, and deep-set wrinkles are now less pronounced. Your hair will also grow thicker and shinier over time as it absorbs nutrients instead of those harmful toxins.
You’ll also notice that your weight will begin to regulate. If you were addicted to alcohol, all those empty calories were keeping excess fat on your midsection. With a good diet moderate exercise, those pounds will finally melt off for good.
Many who were addicted to narcotics also say that they can finally gain weight now that they’re sober. Those gangly limbs and gaunt facial features will be able to fill out, and you’ll feel stronger and more solid. With that extra weight, your body awareness and muscle control will improve over time as well.
4. Get Back Time You’ve Lost
Once you’re sober, you’ll be amazed how much extra time you have in a day. Without realizing it, most addicts spend most of their time either consuming drugs and alcohol, working to acquire drugs and alcohol, or even just THINKING about them.
Once those tasks are no longer a part of your life, you’ll discover other more fulfilling ways to spend your time like spending time with friends, improving your performance at work, and finding new hobbies.
5. Have More Energy
When an addict isn’t drunk or high, their body is constantly craving the feeling they get. Then afterward, it’s in a constant state of repair as it tries to fix the damage the drug has done. An addict’s body never has time to rest.
However, once you’re sober, you can finally take a breath of fresh air. Your immune system is no longer in constant overdrive, and all that energy it was wasting can now be used to start exercising, learning that new hobby, and being more aware and present.
You’ll even find that you sleep longer and deeper, and will feel energized the next morning rather than having to nurse a hangover.
6. Save Money
You didn’t notice before, but addicts spend an incredible amount of their yearly income on drugs and alcohol. Cutting out these habits out of your life will save you hundreds and even thousands of dollars over time.
A nice way to reward yourself for your progress is to take the money you would have used on your addiction and put it toward a nice vacation or a new car. Having something tangible will remind you of how far you’ve come and motivate you to go even further.
7. Gain Respect
As an addict begins to turn inward and isolate themselves, they quickly lose the respect of people who are working hard and trying to succeed. However, when you’re sober, you’ll be able to gain that respect back. People will notice that your determination and appreciate that you’re able to keep your commitments.
Through volunteering through your sobriety program and helping others, you’ll also gain respect from yourself as well as others. Acknowledging that you have the power to take back control of your life will create an entirely new level of self-respect and confidence that you never had before. You’ll no longer be weighed down by the shame and guilt that comes with addictive behavior.
Being Sober Is Within Reach
If you’re in the clutches of substance abuse and addiction, it can be hard to imagine a world where you’re in control again. Most addicts have forgotten what it’s like to wake up in the morning and not need more.
No matter how alone you feel, it’s important to remember that being sober is worth it, and there are always people who want to help you. The Real Hope Recovery Center in San Diego offers rehab programs for those addicted to alcohol, heroin, anti-depressants, and prescription and other drugs.
If you think you’re ready to live a more fulfilling life, don’t be afraid to take the first step. Contact us today to start a conversation about how our rehab programs can change your life for the better.
