Although being sober initially may be uncomfortable, the discomfort is temporary. Many people start to feel better over time. As you recover from addiction and make positive changes in your life, you're likely to feel more confident, empowered, and proud of yourself. However, once you stop drinking or using drugs, your life will change for the better in many ways.
Whether you're an addict or just looking to improve your health, here are 14 reasons why sobriety makes your life healthier, more satisfying and fun. No matter how many months you are sober, you could experience drinking and using dreams. These dreams (or nightmares) can make you feel anxious when you wake up and even cause cravings. Instead of isolating yourself and giving in to make you feel bad, contact and connect with others who might be going through the same thing.
Go to a 12-step meeting, find a sober group online, or call a sober friend who understands you. You can remember everything and not feel that sense of terror of waking up and not remembering what you said or did the night before. I have been known to smell the second-year songs of those who extol the benefits of living clean and sober. Sometimes I feel like Andy Rooney of sobriety, the ironic and curmudgeon of the blogging set, who points out the pitfalls and problems that no one else will tell the world about quitting drinking.
But they may be stuck without feeling anything for an indeterminate period of time, possibly a very long period of time spanning years. If this sounds like you, you may be surprised to find out how much more effectively you can deal with sober things. I really think you have to WANT to be sober for YOU, not by anyone else, not out of fear of losing someone but because of you and your sanity, and I don't think that until you really cross that threshold you can really appreciate being sober in the first place. When I got sober and overcame my addictions, my life didn't magically improve, it just stopped getting worse.
When you're sober, you'll probably find that you stop gaining weight (and maybe even lose a few pounds) without really trying. Being sober also feels like being complete, without all the internal divisions that a previous drug habit incited and maintained. After a year of sobriety, you can graduate from a sober living center and continue to build a happy and healthy life with your family and friends. While it's not easy to stop drinking or using drugs, especially if you're struggling with addiction, the decision to be sober will change your life forever, so consider committing to sobriety today; you'll be glad you did.
It's never too late to start feeling better, entering that happier future and discovering and falling in love with the happy, complete, successful and most connected person you are when you're sober. In my first 30 days of sobriety, I felt bloated and exhausted, and it was weeks before I started to feel well rested and normal again. Eliminating what they think gives them more charisma or self-confidence with other people can trigger the very real concern that they won't like being sober. Once you stop drinking and are sober, sobriety will become a lifelong option that requires ongoing treatment.