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. Perhaps one of the most profound benefits of sobriety is the physiological difference you will feel without drugs or alcohol in your system. You will sleep more deeply, allowing the body to fully recharge and heal.
You will discover new energy and motivation, orienting them towards exercise and healthy habits. You will regain your appetite and desire to prepare balanced meals. Skin, hair and eyes will also lighten and renew. And with these benefits you get an invaluable boost in self-esteem and confidence.
You'll notice the difference, and so will the others. Substance abuse causes damage to all organs of the human body, causing progressive damage the longer the addiction continues. Long-term substance abuse can also cause chronic medical conditions and life-threatening illnesses. As you progress in your sobriety, your overall health will begin to improve, your immune system will heal, which will make you sick less often.
Your weight will begin to stabilize and your diet will be better as you want to consume fewer unhealthy foods. Just as your mentality will improve, your physical body will also be gradually healed, Self-Awareness When a person is in the midst of an addiction, they often live in denial that substance abuse is not affecting their body or their overall quality of life. This can make addicts less self-aware, making it easier to continue using. However, sobriety and recovery make you directly confront those thoughts and justifications of addiction.
By doing this difficult job, you become more self-aware and more attuned to your needs and desires. The world around you also focuses as you become more aware of things happening around you and how they are affecting your life. Fatal overdoses caused by drug addiction have decreased the overall life expectancy of Americans.1 Even if you never overdose, drug and alcohol addiction can cause serious health problems that reduce both the quality and duration of your life. In addition to living a better and more satisfying life, sobriety can also prolong your years due to increased health and well-being.
Alcohol disrupts REM sleep (the most restorative period) and dilutes the ability to form memories during the night. As a result, a night of drinking usually results in a morning of lightheadedness. If you or someone you know has struggled with addiction, committing to sobriety is the best chance to live a happier, healthier life. Sobriety is not and will not be easy.
Some benefits will be noticed right away, while others take time. If you have a substance abuse problem, you may initially experience physical withdrawal symptoms, but the benefits of sobriety certainly outweigh any potentially negative effects of withdrawal. While sobriety will have a positive effect on your physical well-being, the benefits are just as important to your emotional state. The emotional stability that affects everything from your relationships, motivation and general mood, will greatly improve.
WebMD does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. When you lead a sober life after addiction, your overall health improves tremendously. This is because you no longer attack your body by putting dangerous amounts of toxic substances into it.