Reminding Yourself That a Sober Life Is a Better Life | NorthStar Transitions (2024)

Recovering from addiction is hard work. It takes a lot of perseverance, a change of perspective, and the desire to change your life for the better. While recovery does bring positivity and a newfound joy for life, it can be easy to fall into the trap of thinking it is too much work and it would just be easier to fall back into addiction.This is when it is most important to remind yourself that living a sober life is better than one of addiction. Here are some reasons why a sober life is better for when you need to be reminded.

Improved Physical Health

Substance abuse causes damage to every organ in the human body, causing progressive harm the longer the addiction continues. Long-term substance abuse can also cause chronic medical conditions and potentially fatal diseases. As you progress in your sobriety, your overall health will begin to improve.Your immune system will heal, causing you to get sick less often. Your weight will begin to stabilize, and your diet will be better as you crave fewer unhealthy foods. Just as your mindset will improve, your physical body will also heal little by little.Self AwarenessWhen a person is in the midst of addiction, they are often living in denial that substance abuse is not affecting their body and overall quality of life. This can cause addicts to be less self-aware, making it easier to keep using. However, sobriety and recovery cause you to directly confront those thoughts and justifications for addiction.By doing this difficult work, you are becoming more self-aware and are more in-tune with your needs and wants. The world around you also comes into focus as you are more mindful of the things going on around you and how they are impacting your life.

Reduced Stress & Anxiety

Addiction commonly starts by using drugs or alcohol to cope with stressful emotions and situations. However, addiction can also cause feelings of anxiety and stress as it progresses. Once you enter recovery and begin taking the steps towards healing, you learn to confront stress and anxiety rather than hiding from them or numbing their effects. The stress and anxiety caused by addiction are then reduced and you learn new coping mechanisms to deal with these emotions as they come to you.

Improved Healthy Appearance

It is common knowledge that drug and alcohol abuse have a drastic impact on your appearance. The state of your physical body deteriorates regarding your weight, skin, hair, eyes, and other parts of the body. The interesting thing is that most addicts don’t even realize the drastic changes until they begin recovery and their body starts to improve.Addiction makes your body look older, but sobriety can help it look young again. This can improve your overall self-esteem and keep you motivated in your recovery.

More Money

Addiction is an expensive lifestyle, as you constantly seek out the drugs or alcohol each time you have cash. When you are no longer funding your addiction and living a sober life, you have more money since it is not being spent on substance abuse. This money can now be used to fund savings goals, nutritious foods, activities with your family, and other things that you have always wanted to do and never could do because of addiction.

More Free Time

Addiction takes up a lot of time. This is because addicts spend most of their time looking for drugs or alcohol, getting high or drunk, or recovering from the bender. When someone is living a sober life, they have much more time to improve their life and spend it doing meaningful activities and hobbies with themselves, with friends, or with family.

Meaningful Friendships

When someone is struggling with substance abuse, their friends most likely also use or drink with them or introduce them to the substance they are now abusing in the first place. Sobriety alleviates this, allowing individuals to make real friendships that can develop and form deep connections over time.Some of your friends that you had before substance abuse may even be willing to work with you to heal the damage caused by addiction and support you in recovery. Many of these old friends are often waiting to welcome you back into their lives, wanting to see you heal and progress into a happy, healthy, and sober life.

Learn New Things

Sober life allows you to seek new activities that you enjoy and learn new things about yourself. You may find out that you enjoy tennis and that you’re really good at it. During treatment, you may take part in art therapy and find out you are a good artist.There are a million different hobbies and activities that sobriety opens you up to that you can enjoy. You wouldn’t have the time to do so if you were still in the midst of addiction, and you can thank sobriety for the ability to learn new things.

Newfound Self-Love

Perhaps one of the best things about a sober life is the relationship you begin to develop with yourself. Addiction is often caused by deep-rooted self-hatred, either because you didn’t like yourself or you hate not being able to stop your addiction.A sober life allows you to cultivate a deep and meaningful relationship with yourself. You learn new skills, interests, and learn just how much you can overcome when you put your mind to it. This is one of the most beautiful things a sober life can offer you.

It is no secret that addiction recovery is hard work. It is an everyday commitment that you must work toward consciously and with an open mind. It can be easy to simply give up and return to the harmful life of addiction. During these times, it is important to remind yourself of the benefits sobriety brings you. There are hundreds of reasons to maintain a sober life, and it is understandable to need reminding of them on the harder days. To learn more about how a sober life can positively impact your life, call Northstar Transitions at (303) 558-6400 today.

Reminding Yourself That a Sober Life Is a Better Life | NorthStar Transitions (2024)

FAQs

Why is self confidence important in recovery? ›

Importance of Self-Esteem During Recovery

Think of it in this logical way: When you are feeling good about yourself and value what you have to offer, you are more likely to stay motivated and on a successful path to recovery and avoid entering into the cycle of addiction.

How does drug abuse affect your self-esteem? ›

Unfortunately, drug use can also lead to self-esteem issues, catching users in a vicious cycle. Someone may feel powerless to their cravings or guilty about the effects of their addiction on those around them. For many, it can seem impossible to get out of this routine and into a healthier lifestyle.

What are the positive effects of low self-confidence? ›

You Don't Come Across as Arrogant

If you have low or healthy self-esteem, you are more likely to admit your mistakes and not take credit for others' accomplishments. It makes you a better team player and helps you contribute more to your company's success.

Why is it important to be vulnerable in recovery? ›

The ability to look at yourself truthfully allows you to see how drinking or drug use has affected you and your relationships. Being vulnerable in recovery can enlighten people about how their own feelings of shame, fear, resentment, and anger can contribute to a substance use disorder.

What are 3 effects of high self-esteem? ›

Confident in ability to make decisions. Able to form secure and honest relationships, and discontinue unhealthy ones. Realistic in expectations; not overcritical of self or others. More resilient; better able to endure stress and setbacks.

Are people with low self-esteem more likely to be abused? ›

Vulnerability to abuse

Vulnerability can be a positive quality, but a person with low self-esteem is at higher risk of being abused, and in rare cases of abuse or bullying others. People with low self-esteem might also be more socially isolated.

What are the psychological causes of drug abuse? ›

A person's genes, the action of the drug, peer pressure, emotional distress, anxiety, depression, and environmental stress can all be factors. Many who develop a substance use problem have depression, attention deficit disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, or another mental problem.

What is self-confidence Why is it important? ›

Self-confidence is an attitude about your skills and abilities. It means you accept and trust yourself and have a sense of control in your life. You know your strengths and weakness well, and have a positive view of yourself. You set realistic expectations and goals, communicate assertively, and can handle criticism.

What is the importance of patient confidence? ›

Patients need to have confidence in the care they receive, while providers need to be confident that they can keep their patients safe and help them achieve their desired outcome.

Why is confidence important for wellbeing? ›

But low confidence can also make us less likely to stand up for ourselves at work, less likely to take care of ourselves, and can make it harder for us to recover from setbacks. Luckily, it's possible to improve our confidence over time, which can have the knock-on effect of also improving our mental health.

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