Sobriety Strategies: 13 Tips for Staying Sober
Alcohol can also trigger the release of chemicals called endorphins and raise levels of the “feel good” hormone dopamine. This can make you feel energetic and even extremely happy (euphoric) shortly after you drink alcohol, but the effects don’t last. Chronic alcohol use can impair your cognitive functions, affecting your memory, attention, and problem-solving skills.
How to Stay Sober
Volpicelli says that some of the negative effects of alcohol on mental health can be reversed if you stop drinking. Quitting alcohol has a number of important mental health benefits. In addition to improving your mental well-being, it may lower your risk for some mental illness and contribute to better sleep.
Experience The Benefits of Sobriety With Riviera Recovery
If you’re early in your sobriety or stuck in a cycle of relapse, you might find yourself questioning why you’re doing this to yourself. Learn more about our approach to alcoholism treatment or call our admissions navigators 24/7 to discuss your options today. All calls are 100% confidential and we are committed to making treatment accessible to everyone in need. Anger is a normal and natural emotion, but how you deal with it will make a difference in maintaining your recovery. Once you do return to work, it’s important to create a budget and take steps to safeguard yourself as work stress can be a relapse trigger. Consider reaching out to a vocational rehabilitation counselor or career coach to help you update your resume, practice job interview skills, and locate jobs that match your skills and experience.
Withdrawal Symptoms
- Prices for visits are completely transparent and you’ll be told upfront what the cost will be based on your specific insurance.
- The more tools you have for identifying triggers, coping with stress, and managing your new sober life, the easier you’ll prevent relapse.
- Without the influence of addictive substances, most people feel more in control of their emotions and how they respond to triggering situations.
- Some are structured in programs, such as the 12-step approach used by Alcoholics Anonymous and similar addiction recovery programs.
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. When you live a sober life, you can get to know yourself and feelcomfortable in your own skin.Self-loveand addictionare two things that can never go hand-in-hand. A reasons to stay sober clearer, healthy mind typifies the positive effects of sobriety. While everyone’s timeline is different, many people start to feel the benefits of sobriety more fully with two weeks down.
Physical Benefits of Sobriety
- Alcohol dehydrates us, which can have vast effects on how our skin looks and feels.
- The rate at which the liver breaks down or metabolizes alcohol depends on several factors like your genes, age, and weight, how much alcohol you consumed, and what you’ve eaten.
- Furthermore, sobriety focuses on living in the moment, practicing the skills you learned in rehab, and following the steps to nurture your substance-free lifestyle.
- When you’re no longer struggling with addiction, you can focus more on your work and perform better.
- Consider reaching out to a vocational rehabilitation counselor or career coach to help you update your resume, practice job interview skills, and locate jobs that match your skills and experience.
Depending on your workplace and your relationships with your boss and co-workers, you may choose to share your sobriety journey with them, or decide to keep this journey personal and private. When you’re sober, you can form more authentic connections with others. Rather than relying on alcohol or drugs to have a good time or cope with social anxiety, you can connect with others on a deeper level. This can lead to more fulfilling and meaningful relationships based on shared interests and values. Substance abuse is often used as a coping mechanism for individuals struggling with anxiety and depression. Sobriety allows individuals to manage their mental health more effectively and develop healthier coping mechanisms.