It can also serve as a reminder of how quickly a former state or practice can return if we do not remain diligent. Relapse can lead to serious consequences, such as physical and mental health issues, financial problems, and strained relationships. In recovery, you will need to learn how to face situations in life that bring you stress, anxiety, and depression. Ignoring these issues will not help you overcome or accept them. Instead, support groups and treatment providers will help you establish new healthy habits in your life and feel good without abusing drugs.

It should not be used in place of the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare providers. For many people who don’t have healthy relationships with themselves, substance misuse can be a way to mask that discomfort. Then, they don’t have to learn how to love themselves because they’re covering their feelings rather than dealing with them.

The Sober School

Focus on honing your communication skills, being truthful and transparent with your beloved ones, and establishing healthy boundaries. When you quit drinking, these relationship issues can be lessened because your life becomes more stable without the influence of drugs or alcohol. You’ll have a clearer head which will allow you to resolve issues faster and communicate more effectively. April is Alcohol Awareness Month, so it’s a good time to talk about how to quit drinking safely and what to expect if you’re going alcohol-free. It’s no secret that alcohol use increased with the COVID-19 pandemic, and that has caused some people to start questioning the role of alcohol in their life.

• Get treatment now for your drug and alcohol addiction and avoid arrest, incarceration and the nightmare of DUI on your conscience.
• You don’t have to try and wrack your brain to remember who you were with or what happened.
• How many times have you fallen asleep on the sofa, fully dressed – or gone to bed with makeup still on and your teeth unbrushed?
• So whether this is the first or 50th time you’re quitting drinking, here are five important things to keep in mind.
• This can manifest in memory lapses, compromised attention spans, and impaired decision-making capabilities.
• Besides the physical, financial, and social benefits, there are many other ways that sobriety has improved my personal life.

It also helps fight infection, eliminates bacteria from the blood and maintains hormone balance. Setting SMART goals gives you the tools you need to set goals that will motivate you to stay drug-free instead of stressing you out and serving as a relapse trigger. 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.

Reduced Heart Disease Risk

As for existing friendships with people who appreciate a sober lifestyle, those personal interactions and bonds will likely be much enriched and deepened. While losing weight may not be a primary goal of embracing a sober lifestyle, benefits of living an alcohol and drug free lifestyle the fact is that alcoholic beverages do add calories, which translates to weight gain. Once that alcoholic intake is cut back or eliminated completely, the caloric intake that would otherwise happen is drastically reduced.

• Your intentions may be good, but it takes more than willpower to avoid having a relapse.
• When you drink excessively or use drugs, the liver is overly stressed as it grapples with its normal daily tasks and the overflow of harmful chemicals it must break down.
• According to the American Heart Association, as you age, even one drink a day could raise your blood pressure, a risk factor for cardiovascular disease.
• The good news is that you can give up drinking for at least a month any time and be surprised at the results.
• However, the same analysis states that excessive drinking — 38 grams or more per day — may increase the risk of developing dementia.