Why being sober is better for relationships is that it allows you to engage more authentically with others, rebuilding trust and strengthening bonds that might have been damaged by past behaviors. Sober nights out or chill evenings in mean you actually get to remember the show, movie, or concert you enjoyed. It’s all clear now, making those moments with your favorites or live performances way more memorable. Plus, you get to be that friend who remembers all the details and can chat about them the next day. Sobriety turns mornings from something you dread into parts of the day you can actually look forward to. Waking up without a hangover means you get to start your day feeling good, not trying to piece together the night before or chugging water to battle dehydration.
Get my Book – Sober Bliss Quit Drinking. Feel Good.
With alcohol out of the equation, communication improves, misunderstandings lessen, and trust begins to rebuild. Usually apparent within the first month, with continued improvement over the following months. It’s usually noticeable as early as 2 weeks to 1 month. I would’ve doubted myself and my abilities and been so Sober House Rules: A Comprehensive Overview paralyzed with fear that I would’ve given up before I even started.
Best Exercises for Recovery
In the journey of sobriety, it’s not often you get to physicalize your internal struggle. Every day is a battle, but – and I find this is especially true with running – when you’ve been physically beaten yourself, you appreciate it. I was wet, hot, uncomfortable, and in genuine agony… and in my 7 months, this was the first time I felt like I was genuinely detoxed; like the alcohol was oozing out of me. The rest of the day, I was sore as all hell, but I never thought about drinking. I sat on the sofa watching movies and chatting with friends for the remainder of the day and never once got bored or wandered to drinking.
- Cutting back on alcohol freed up my weekends – no more days lost to hangovers or sluggishness.
- You’ll probably start noticing more free time immediately as your evenings and weekends are no longer spent drinking or recovering from drinking.
- The next day, I went back to the hospital to visit him.
- I don’t stay out later than I planned and I’m almost always in bed before midnight.
Rock the SOBRLIFE: Get Sober and Stay Sober
It also turns out I can tell a 45-minute story that should have been only three minutes. So, with this knowledge of myself, I’ll wrap this post with the 17 things I love about being 17 years sober. I could be doing anything and an idea would pop into my head. Instead of thinking about it nebulously, I’d go do it. For instance, my buddy had a daughter who was always growling at him.
Reasons to Stay Sober: Your Ultimate Guide
Some see results much faster, and they are among the lucky few. It depends on many factors, including the amount of damage you’ve done, years of heavy drinking, age, and genetics. And those horrid little capillary bursts on my chest have disappeared. That last one is called spider naevi, and it’s not only gross but a sign that your liver isn’t doing so well. We are not fighting it, neither are we avoiding temptation.
Sober Life Rocks Podcast – The Importance Of Community When Life Doesn’t Always Go As Planned
“By lunchtime, you were beginning to taste what you were going to drink. You’re all relaxed and chilled, you’d share stories, and it was a very positive experience. But it was definitely a conditioned craving.” explains Nutt.
Americans have more options for drinking than ever. An increasing number of people are bouncing from super boozy to completely non-alcoholic options. Because I’m sober, I feel like I’m able to finally be present. Instead of feeling like I’m in a tipsy or hungover fog through celebrations or events, I soak it all in. And there have been a lot of important moments over the last two years. I never would have dreamed I’d toast with a glass of water on my wedding day, but that’s exactly what happened, and it was perfect.
- If you can stick within those, the harms of alcohol are relatively minor.
- The cumulative effects of all these new experiences and choices add up.
- I would have classified myself as someone who loved to be around people and go out with them at night.
- I’ve always loved exercise, playing any sport I could and lifting weights since I was a teen.
Always ready to drive
Having been sober for 5 years, here are four things that I’m continually grateful for in my sober life. If you are thinking about addressing your relationship to alcohol or substances, you may ask yourself if being sober is worth it. Sobriety may look boring, difficult, and unappealing, but the drinking or substance use might be starting to impact the rest of your life, making things even more challenging to manage. Substance abuse can have a profound impact on your mental clarity, affecting how you think, feel, and make decisions. It impairs your cognitive function, making it difficult to concentrate, process information, and recall memories. It can also cause mood swings and exacerbated mental issues like anxiety and depression, which can further impair your mental clarity and overall well-being.
Alcohol is a depressant that can leave you feeling lethargic and fatigued. Removing it from your life eliminates these sedative effects, boosting your vitality and enabling you to enjoy a more active, engaged life. Also with sobriety, people commonly report feeling more in control and proud of their appearance. This can radiate outward and boost confidence in social situations and personal reflections. It’s part of the sobriety package, and it’s not necessarily a bad thing. Sobriety can be an incredible way to shed relationships you’ve outgrown as well as find new ones that align with your new values.