Maybe you were a proper jackass in the past and think you need to punish yourself for it for the rest of your life. In the past, I drank heavily because the anxiety in my brain was overbearing. I “worst case scenario’d” every single thought inside my head. I have bad weeks where I slip into zombie-like routines, eat too many sugary foods, and generally feel bad about myself. You’ve mulled it over so much that it FEELS like you really DID attend a class and had the worst experience of your life.
Struggling with an addiction?
With this newfound information about yourself, you can craft a new life for yourself that best fits your personal needs. When you abuse large amounts of alcohol or drugs, your memory becomes foggy. So, you should become sober if you want your memory to improve. This is especially the case if you’re taking depressants or downers.
You Feel Alive Again
When I was drinking, it never occurred to me that I was an introvert. I would have classified myself as someone who loved to be around people and go out with them at night. Thinking back to before I was sober, I usually had to drink Sober living house to be around people. I recharge when I’m by myself, and I deplete when I’m with others—especially big groups.
My First Sober Christmas! (Thank God It’s Over)
Without the influence of substances, you can think more clearly, make better decisions, and improve overall cognitive function. Due to the toxicity level of alcohol and drugs, when you chronically abuse them, your immune system lowers. When your immune system improves, your overall health improves. Although the media may make getting drunk and using drugs seem appealing and fun, the effects of abusing substances are not. Many people living with addiction end up damaging relationships with the people they love.
Gone are the days when seeing a cop car made your heart race, checking if you were over the limit from last night’s drinks. Now, driving by a cop is just part of the scenery, no stress involved. It’s kind of nice not to have that mini panic attack every time you see those flashing lights, even if they’re not for you. It’s pretty nice to actually enjoy your coffee and not use it as a lifeline. Plus, having the energy to get things done or just chill and enjoy the morning quiet.
No More Physical Sickness From Drugs And Alcohol
As described is life better sober in my article on the Types of Denial in Addiction, our minds can make up many reasons why we don’t have a problem. When frequently using alcohol or other substances, life can become chaotic, making it challenging to stick to a schedule. Kimberley Bond is a Multiplatform Writer for Harper’s Bazaar, focusing on the arts, culture, careers and lifestyle.
- Mindful drinking has also been shown to help improve sleep, lessen hunger, sharpen mental clarity, increase energy, improve mood, reduce anxiety, bolster relationships, and so much more.
- If you or someone you know experiences mental health issues, it is important to seek help from a qualified professional.
- Chronic substance use can impair your ability to think quickly, clearly, and retain information.
- It’s hard to look your best when struggling with addiction.
Once I decided that I was really, really done with drinking, I decided to be more open-minded about how I spent my time. Which is not to say that if you never address those issues head-on, you’ll definitely go back to drinking. There are also the added costs of paying for takeout food because you’re too drunk or hungover to function properly.
