When we talk about addiction, it’s often taken as a given that overcoming it is a positive experience and our lives would be immeasurably better once we do so. However, it’s not always obvious what our lives would look like once we quit substance use. For instance, many people who enjoy social drinking may worry that their social life will suffer if they no longer go to the same places. Although there may be an initial period of adjustment, our patients quickly find that all of the benefits to their physical and emotional health make sobriety more than worth it.
Better Sleep Quality
Drugs and alcohol are known for worsening our quality of sleep. In particular, they prevent us from entering the REM phase which is the most restful. As a result, even when we get the recommended 8 hours of sleep, we may wake up tired and groggy. Sleep affects every aspect of our wellbeing — from the functioning of our vital organs to our likelihood of developing mental illness. Even though we may feel like you’re mostly doing fine, we’re highly likely to find that our quality of life skyrockets once you start getting enough sleep.
Closer and More Fulfilling Relationships
Research shows that we most often develop alcohol and drug dependency due to a desire to numb out difficult emotions — and, well, these substances do just that. However, this comes at a price. Not getting to fully experience our emotions can lead us to feel like there is a metaphorical wall between us and the world. We can’t really get our relationships with other people to be particularly close when we’re not fully present. Not to mention that being high or drunk can lessen our ability to be empathetic towards others, which may further cause friendships and romantic relationships to deteriorate. Once you’re sober, you’ll likely find it much easier to be there for others — and to allow them to get close to you.
Making Better Decisions
We all know that we rarely act responsibly when we’re under the influence. We may find ourselves acting impulsive and without considering the consequences of our actions. These may be relatively minor — for instance, we may get hungry and eat a bunch of unhealthy food. On the more serious side, we can ruin friendships or lose employment due to our careless behavior. Sobriety can give us increased clarity and the ability to think through our decisions, thus giving us a sense of control over our life.
Take the First Step with Hickory Treatment Centers
Here at Hickory Treatment Centers, we’re determined to support you no matter where you are on your journey. We offer a wide range of treatments that range in approach and intensity, so that we can provide all of our patients with the appropriate help. Whether you’ve decided what your next steps are or you’re just exploring your options, we’ll meet you where you are — please don’t hesitate to contact us.
