Are you looking for some extra inspiration to begin your new, sober life? You’re in the right place. Today, we’re going to share with you a number of benefits, including some you might not have considered.
There are, unsurprisingly, a variety of benefits. Sometimes being reminded of these benefits is helpful for getting, or keeping, you on this path. These benefits also give you something to look forward to if you’re thinking of taking the first steps toward recovery. So, let’s get started!
The Benefits of Sobriety
Be healthier
There is no question drugs and alcohol are hard on the body, including virtually every single one of the body’s systems.
Here are a few examples of the damage these substances can do to the body:
- Lung damage
- Chronic infections
- Kidney, liver, and heart damage
- Brain damage
- Cognitive decline
- Strokes
- An increased risk of mental illness
- Loss of motor system control
- Damage to unborn children
These are just some of the many ways drugs and alcohol can affect the brain and body. In some cases, the damage they cause can be irreparable. But in many cases, once consumption of drugs and alcohol ceases, these conditions can begin to improve or even disappear altogether. The health benefits are profound, and the possibility of feeling and being healthier than ever before is incredibly exciting for those who are new on their road to recovery.
Look healthier
Drug and alcohol consumption not only wreak havoc on our internal systems, but they also affect our outward appearance in a number of ways as well.
Here are a few examples of how the effects of drugs and alcohol can manifest in changes to appearance:
- Acne
- Hair loss
- Weight loss
- Weight gain
- Destruction of the cartilage in the nose
- Rotting, damaged teeth
- Scars and sores on the skin
- Bloodshot eyes or blood clots in the eyes
- Droopy or retracted eyelids
- Sunken eyes
- Bloodshot eyes
- Advanced aging
One of the fastest benefits of sobriety many people begin to experience is an improvement in their appearance. Just as it is often easy to tell if someone is abusing substances by some of the physical symptoms they might display, it’s often obvious once they cease substance abuse because of how much their appearance improves.
Save money
Substance abuse is expensive. Whether you’re spending money on drugs, alcohol, or both, these destructive habits quickly begin to wreak havoc on your bank account at the same time.
You start saving money the moment you stop these habits. Along with being better for your bank account, this can also help you improve relationships with friends and family. Many addicts borrow or steal from loved ones to support their habit. Over time, this has the effect of seriously damaging those relationships. Once you no longer use them for their money, you can begin repairing your relationship.
Repair relationships and create new, healthy relationships
It isn’t only due to financial factors that sobriety can benefit your relationships.
Most people who are abusing substances also have at least one relationship that suffers as a result. But in most cases, it’s the vast majority of your relationships.
Many times, addicts take advantage of the people who love them most, including their parents, partners, siblings, and children. Naturally, these relationships begin to deteriorate or become very strained due to the addict’s behavior.
One of the wonderful benefits is the ability to start working on repairing these relationships. As a sober person, you’ll have the opportunity to make amends to the people you have hurt, and reestablish healthy boundaries and strong relationships.
Sober coaches are an incredibly useful tool in healing these relationships. Although we believe addiction is a family disease, we also believe families are capable of healing.
During the course of our sober coaching services, we help families slowly re-engage while also setting healthy boundaries as well. We understand there may be a lot of pain and damage done, but we also understand how crucial it is to have family support for the recovering addict.
Our coaches will supply any extra resources needed along with the 24/7 support for families. Healing the family from the inside is one of the main objectives of our services, and we make it our goal to make this happen.
Establish new hobbies and practices
Addiction quickly becomes the primary focus of your life. If you’re focusing on getting your next fix at all times, it doesn’t leave much time for hobbies or simply enjoying your life beyond doing so with the help of substances.
Once you’re on your path to sobriety, you’ll notice you’re able to devote more time to picking up new hobbies or resuming old ones. This also gives you the opportunity to expand your circle, meet new friends, and simply try new things.
Not only is this a positive way to spend your time, but it’s also useful for helping you stay sober. Distraction and keeping busy are very important for recovering addicts. When you find something to fill your time that you truly enjoy, you’ll be a lot more likely to stay the course.
Picking up or resuming hobbies is just one of our tips for living a sober life successfully. In this post, we cover several others, including giving back and volunteering your time or resources.
Clarity
Substances cloud your mind. They make you think, act, and feel differently.
You often hear family members and friends of addicts say they no longer recognize the person in front of them. This is because these substances take control of the mind and body in such a way that the addict becomes virtually unrecognizable. The real you, however, is still there! Beneath the haze of addiction is a clear, level mind that’s capable of good decision making and living a positive, successful life.
Once substances are no longer clouding your mind and your judgment, you’ll notice increased clarity is one of the other incredible benefits.
Living life to the fullest
Living a life of addiction is no way to truly live. It interferes with virtually every part of a happy and successful life, including your relationships, family, job, hobbies, travel, health, and more.
Taking the brave steps onto the road to recovery, however, means you’re well on your way to finally living life to the fullest. Once you’re free of the chains of addiction, you can begin to discover what’s truly possible for yourself. As you realize your full potential, this can help drive you forward on this path while also keeping you from returning to your old ways.
Start Experiencing the Benefits Today
Right now, it might be hard to imagine experiencing these benefits. It could seem like you’re too far gone or there’s no turning back. But we’re here to tell you it’s not too late. Your path to sobriety and redemption is right in front of you—you just need to take that first step.
Today, that step could be contacting Elysian Sober Services in Florida. We offer sober coaching, sober companions, sober escorts, and other sobriety services to help you live a happier, healthier life.
We at Elysian Sober Services aim to educate the community by inspiring others and engaging in a serene lifestyle. We’re committed to helping people who suffer from alcoholism and addiction to live a clean and sober lifestyle.
We are located in sunny south Florida and provide one on one sober support. We also offer services that include nutrition, physical health, transportation, and spiritual guidance—all to ensure focus on maintaining sobriety through life’s daily activities.
You can begin experiencing many of the benefits of sobriety today, and we’re here to help. Click here to contact us to learn more about our sober services for you or a loved one.
