When we think of sobriety, we tend to think of addiction recovery. If someone refuses a drink at a party, our initial thought might be, “Ah, they must be a recovering alcoholic.” We don’t mean to jump to conclusions, but casual alcohol consumption is such a commonplace part of day-to-day life that we can’t wrap our minds around someone actively choosing not to drink. The truth is, even those who have not been through the recovery process – who have not suffered immense personal consequences at the hands of alcohol – sometimes decide to stay completely away from chemical substances. To the average alcoholic, this might seem insane. “Hey, if I could drink normally, I absolutely would!”
Many “normies” have recently made the shift away from social drinking and towards intentional sobriety, and there is good reason for it. Sobriety isn’t just for alcoholics! It’s for everyone who wants to begin living life to its full potential; everyone who understands that while a raucous Friday night out on the town might not do any serious, long-term damage, spending Saturday without a hangover is simply a more ideal option. Of course, if you have struggled with alcohol abuse in the past you have even more of a reason to get and stay sober. In fact, your life depends on it.
Regardless of whether you have been in recovery for quite some time or you’re new to the scene; whether you’re “sober curious” or simply considering cutting back, here are 10 reasons to get and stay sober.
10 Reasons to Stay Sober
1. You’ll learn to love yourself.
If you are currently struggling with a drinking problem, the idea of merely liking yourself might seem pretty far-fetched. You’ll be amazed at how much appreciation for yourself you gain in recovery. Believe it or not, you will actually be able to look at yourself in the mirror and like what you see!
2. You will be there for your friends and family.
Active addiction ruins friendships and tears families apart. Once you give up drinking you will have the opportunity to mend broken relationships (which might take time, so prepare to be patient), and you’ll be able to be there – not just physically – for your loved ones. When active in your addiction, you might be physically present… but you will never fully be there.
3. You’ll be able to appreciate the little things in life – as well as the big things.
Things like taking a walk through the park on a nice day or waking up before noon will start to seem amazing. When active in your addiction, you will be so consumed by a mental obsession with alcohol that you won’t be able to properly focus on anything else.
4. You’ll be able to develop and maintain lasting relationships.
Alcoholics aren’t able to form deep and meaningful relationships. Instead, they take hostages. Your loved ones will undoubtedly undergo a great deal of emotional pain at the hands of your addiction. Once you get clean and sober, you will be able to mend old bonds and develop new, meaningful relationships with people that love you for who you truly are.
5. Mental symptoms associated with heavy drinking will begin to resolve.
Heavy drinking causes mental health issues like anxiety and depression. Once you quit drinking, the symptoms of these disorders will slowly begin to resolve over time. If you continue drinking heavily, you could do permanent damage.
6. You’ll have the ability to contribute something positive to the world.
Can you sincerely say that you’re actively attempting to make the world a better place? Addiction is a selfish disease, one that disallows you from thinking of anyone else’s needs. Getting sober will allow you to help others in ways you may never have deemed possible.
7. You can actually form personal goals and pursue them.
Have you always wanted to go to art school? Have you always wanted to travel to Europe? Sobriety will allow you to set goals and actually attain them! Imagine being able to do what you want to do when you want to do it, rather than being a slave to the bottle.
8. You will be trustworthy once again.
Alcoholism strips people of their ability to be trusted, seeing as they will go to any lengths to continue supporting their habit. You’ll find that when you get sober people actually start putting faith in you once again… which feels truly incredible.
9. You’ll save an incredible amount of money.
Drinking is expensive! Think about it. If you spend $10 a day on alcohol, that equates to $70 per week, $280 per week, and a shocking $3,650 per year! But realistically, those who are struggling with a severe alcohol abuse disorder (or those who spend a few nights a week at their favorite bar) will spend much more than $10 a day. Think of all of the things you could do with all of the money you would be saving!
10. You will have your life back.
You will be free. Free to do what you want, free to be yourself, and free to live the life you deserve.
Alcohol Addiction Recovery
Making the decision to get sober is never easy. For those who struggle with an actual substance dependency, professional help will be required. If you are unsure whether or not you have a serious issue with alcohol, there are several warning signs and symptoms to look for. Ask yourself the following questions:
- Have I tried to cut back or quit and been unsuccessful?
- Has drinking caused me any personal problems, either at work, at school or in my interpersonal relationships?
- Do I frequently wake up hungover or find that I am unable to complete basic tasks because of my drinking?
- Have any of my friends or family members expressed concern about my drinking habits?
- Do I feel anxious when I do not have access to alcohol, or when I have to go to an event where I know alcohol will not be present?
- Have I built up a tolerance over time (meaning I need to drink more in order to feel the same effects)?
- Have I changed friends and the places I frequent in order to include drinking (do I spend more time with my “drinking buddies,” more time at bars, etc.)?
- Do I black out regularly?
- Do I get defensive about my drinking habits?
- Have I promised that I’ll cut back on my alcohol intake but been unable to cut back for any extended period of time?
If you answered “yes” to any of the questions listed above, chances are you do struggle with a serious drinking problem – one that will require professional medical intervention. Fortunately, there are many resources available to those who do decide to quit. At Chapel Hill Detox, our goal is to help those struggling with alcohol abuse and dependency begin their personal journeys off addiction recovery. We offer medical detoxification services in a state-of-the-art facility, and our dedicated case managers help each and every client find an inpatient treatment center that will cater to their specific needs once the detox process is complete.
If you or someone you love has been struggling with alcohol addiction, detox is a necessary first step on the road to recovery. The symptoms of alcohol withdrawal can be extremely dangerous when not treated by a team of medical professionals. If you are ready to reclaim your life and commit to alcohol addiction recovery, simply give us a call today and we will help you begin your recovery journey as quickly as possible. We look forward to speaking with you soon!