It can also help you to forgive yourself for past mistakes and begin a journey of self-love. To acknowledge milestones on a sobriety journey, some people in addiction recovery begin self-care routines for the first time in their lives. A life of addiction can mean paying for drugs or alcohol instead of important expenses, such as house repairs or healthcare. Those in addiction recovery often talk about taking more pride in things they’ve worked hard for, such as a house, car, or savings account. Substance abuse can be a serious drain on your bank account.

  • We hear a lot about practicing mindfulness, not just in the recovery community but in mental health in general.
  • Chronically abusing substances has many more negative effects on human health.
  • Hangover symptoms including nausea, vomiting, headaches and brain fog can last for days in some cases and can diminish your quality of day-to-day life.
  • For true addicts, it’s not simply drinking alcohol, it’s how often they spend thinking about it.

These official guidelines come from the non-profit Moderation Management. It has become a way for people to learn how to stop harmful patterns when they drink and identify triggers for those behaviors. https://www.healthworkscollective.com/how-choose-sober-house-tips-to-focus-on/ Drinking in moderation does come with some benefits, especially if you’re reaching for resveratrol-rich red wine, but it will always be a better option to drink less or not at all.

Stages of Alcoholism

The CDC suggests a maximum of 2 drinks per day for men and only one drink per day for women. For those on Moderation Management plans, that means no more than 4 drinks in one sitting for men and 3 drinks in one sitting for women. According to this plan, men and women shouldn’t drink more than 3-4 days per week.

  • 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.
  • A vital component of a successful sobriety lifestyle is developing healthy relationships with people in your life.
  • Sobriety can mean having the time to do things you love and enjoy.
  • The sober lifestyle helps you to start really understanding who you are and what makes you tick.
  • Substance abuse only reinforces and deepens these thoughts, chipping away at your self-esteem while strengthening its grip on you.

An Employee Assistance Program (EAP) may be available through your employer. When you get sober, a new world of possibilities, hope and happiness will open around you. You receive the needed tools like practicing gratitude to make your own happiness in recovery. Without the influence of drugs and alcohol, the impacts of depression, anxiety and stress lighten, freeing you to appreciate all that you have. Check out our Recovery Stories from alumni to read how sobriety has affected their lives.

More Energy

Getting and staying sober can change the way you look at yourself. You won’t have to think about yourself as a person with no self-control or someone who says stupid things when drunk. You’ll also build your self-esteem by sticking with your decision to stay sober.

This can lead to a more positive outlook on life and an increased sense of self-esteem and confidence. There’s a strong connection between substance use disorders and sleep disorders. According to studies, you’re likely to suffer from insomnia How to Choose a Sober House: Tips to Focus on and other sleep disorders when you abuse substances. You may also self-medicate your sleep issues using drugs or alcohol. In addition to preventing health problems, getting sober can help individuals recover from existing health conditions.