Why some people are staying sober during Dry January and why experts say the benefits may last well into the year

Getting sober will help an addict turn their attention back towards things they care about. No matter where you live, there are positive outlets that provide community and support during your life after rehab. Surround yourself with encouraging individuals by joining a support group, attending counseling sessions and participating in meet-up activities. You can also participate in many types of continuing care, including individual therapy, check-ups, 12-step meetings and alternative support groups. Replacing old habits with positive, new habits is critical during your recovery.

• Mark received a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, with a minor in Economics from the University of Rhode Island.
• It also prevents the experiencce of love, compassion and happiness.
• For most individuals struggling with alcohol addiction, attempts to quit cold turkey can lead to physical and psychological agony and eventual relapse.
• This list outlines why it is so important and valuable to get and stay sober.
• If you are continually doing things that are self-indulgent or hurtful to those you love, they have no choice but to turn away from you.2.
• If left unchecked, anger can have a negative impact on your health and your lasting sobriety.

Addiction to drugs or alcohol has devastating impacts on your physical health and causes many chronic illnesses, cancers, and other diseases — and even death. By getting help and finding recovery, you can avoid developing life-threatening complications from substance abuse. In sobriety, you will lead a healthier, more fulfilling life.

Medical Director, Board Certified in Addiction Medicine

Using drugs and alcohol doesn’t make you less afraid; it just numbs you. The impacts of substance abuse on your mental and emotional health can be severe and debilitating. If you suffer from depression, anxiety or other mental health issues, drugs and alcohol will significantly worsen your condition. Addiction blocks mental clarity, prevents healing from trauma and causes emotional instability. In fact, drug and alcohol abuse can cause mental and emotional health issues that did not exist prior to using. In a lot of cases, a person who has become addicted to a substance has done so because of some other issue.

You will find yourself having less mood swings along with increased happiness. Dr. Joe DeSanto is a Board Certified physician specializing in the field of Addiction Medicine and a Partner of BioCorRx. He is the Medical Director of DeSanto Clinics for Recovery.

#5: Focusing on Things that Truly Matters Become a Lot Easier.

The drugs you’ve been taking, or the drugs you used to take, have changed your brain in ways that make quitting extra hard. As much as you want to stay sober, as sick as you are of feeling sick, and as tired as you are of the temptations around you, long-term sobriety still feels out of reach. When you gain sobriety, you prove that it is possible. We know this isn’t news to anyone, but it’s important to consider when talking about reasons for staying sober. We’re not just talking about your safety, but also the safety of anyone around you.

At Valley Hope, we have treated hundreds of thousands of patients with compassionate, evidence-based addiction treatment that is customized to meet your medical and mental health needs. We are here to work with you on building a successful, fulfilling path to lifelong recovery. When you get sober, a new world of possibilities, hope and happiness will open around you. You receive the needed tools like practicing gratitude to make your own happiness in recovery.

You avoid alcohol- or drug-related health problems.

If you’re involved in a 12-step program, you likely already know the importance of milestones. In these programs, it’s customary to receive plastic chips as you progress to the one-year mark, at which time you receive a bronze coin. It is also important to seek help from a therapist.

Depending on the nature and severity of the addiction, the detox process may last anywhere from a few days to weeks. You may be given medications to help ease the burden of withdrawal symptoms. When used in small https://ecosoberhouse.com/article/what-reasons-for-you-to-stay-sober/ amounts, the depressive effects are not dramatic. But for those who struggle with abuse, alcohol’s impact on brain chemistry can result in depression, anger, mood changes, isolation, and even suicidal thoughts.

With treatment and enrollment into a sober living program, people vastly improve their prospects for lifelong recovery. Additionally, everyone that chooses to commit to recovery does so because they see how it improves their quality of life. Here are many reasons to stay sober and clean and get your life back to normal.

• Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.
• If you haven’t sought help yet, take a look at these seven irrefutable reasons why being sober will be the best choice you’ve ever made for yourself.
• In fact, many people feel that it’s just beginning.
• For many of us, we have spent too much time hating ourselves.
• You don’t have to call or text the people you were with and try to piece together the previous night.

Your intentions may be good, but it takes more than willpower to avoid having a relapse. You don’t have to live in constant turmoil anymore because you’re not worried about getting money, getting drugs or alcohol, and then lying or manipulating to cover up your behaviors. If you’ve ever dealt with an addiction, you’ll know that being sober is the best thing that can happen to you. Most people underestimate the importance of sobriety until they’ve fallen into the hands of addiction. Addiction has become a huge crisis in America, affecting over 23.5 million teenagers and adults. Addiction is a terrible illness that often causes people to die due to overdose or suicide.