Over 60% of Americans currently have substance abuse problems. It’s not hard to see why. Our modern society is full of work stress, relationship problems, money worries, and social pressures. Many people rely on drugs and alcohol because they don’t have healthy coping mechanisms.
Additionally, getting sober can seem like a long and arduous process. Staying sober is a life-long journey involving a lot of commitment. The good news is that you don’t have to do it alone!
If you’re considering sober life, you may have started looking into Tennessee rehab centers. Or maybe you’re still not convinced? Read on to discover seven incredible benefits of sobriety.
1. Improve Your Physical Health
Drugs and alcohol are toxins so naturally, consuming them is harmful to your health. You might not even realize the damage that addiction does to your body.
Toxins heavily affect your immune system. Binge-drinking or heavy drug use means getting sick more often. With a weak immune system, people tend to get sick for longer and feel it more intensely.
Cancer is always a scary word to hear when it comes to your well-being. Alcohol and drug users are at a higher risk for many cancers, including stomach and colon cancer.
Critical organs like the heart, brain, and liver also decline in function. Sobriety can help reduce the risks of all these health problems. It can also produce some small but welcome perks like no more hangovers!
Some other physical health benefits you can expect from sobriety:
- longer, deeper sleep
- establishing a healthy weight
- healthy blood pressure
- brighter, clearer skin
- more energy throughout the day
- higher physical endurance
2. Better Your Mental Health
Not only are drugs and alcohol taxing on you physically, but they also destroy your mental health. A substance abuser is 3.6 times more likely to also suffer from a psychiatric disorder.
A healthy brain relies on keeping its chemicals and processes in proper balance. Alcohol is a depressant that throws the balance out of order. Drugs, regardless of whether they are depressants or stimulants, also affect this balance.
Getting sober can help re-align the delicate equilibrium of these chemicals. Better mental health can also include:
- higher confidence
- clear thinking
- increase in focus and motivation
- stable emotions
- reduction of anxiety and depression
- elevated natural mood
3. Learn Healthy Coping Mechanisms
When the stress and pressure of daily life become too much, we need an outlet for relief. Some people develop good habits like exercise or meditation. Others rely on drugs and alcohol as coping mechanisms.
Living a sober life means finding positive ways to deal with negative emotions. While this may seem harder than having a drink to relax, it’s a better long-term solution. Drugs and alcohol can reduce short-term stress feelings, but the negative emotions will return the next day.
Healthy coping mechanisms can include:
- positive self-talk and thinking
- relaxation activities like yoga
- exercise
- connecting with others
- taking a break from the stressor
- animal therapy
- nutrition and healthy eating
4. Heal Relationships
It’s not uncommon to see street fights and arguments between friends and lovers while drinking. Research has shown a connection between heavy drinking and aggression. The more you consume, the higher the level of violence becomes.
Aggression and violence will have a very negative effect on your relationships. Domestic abuse is common in drug and alcohol users. Even if you’re not prone to physical fights, alcohol-influenced arguments are bound to happen.
When you embrace sobriety, you can begin to heal your broken relationships. Partners, parents, friends, and loved ones can once again become a part of your life. Maintaining close relationships is critical to your mental well-being and happiness.
5. Find a Community
Getting sober can seem like a lonely process. You lose the social groups that you used to drink with. You might even seek out an in-patient program that requires you to stay in a rehab center.
The reality is that getting sober helps you build a new community of like-minded individuals. Through group therapy sessions and meetings, you can meet new people who support you. These new social circles will have a common goal and will help you embrace a healthier lifestyle.
6. Reclaim Your Personality
Do you ever feel like someone else when you drink or abuse drugs? Substance abuse can lead to a feeling of “losing your personality.” You may become emotionally volatile, depressed, or anxious. You might lose your passion and forget about hobbies.
Finding your personality again is a self-improvement benefit of sobriety. You might re-discover things you loved before your addiction. Your emotions and mood will stabilize so you’ll feel like your regular self once more.
7. Boost Your Financial Goals
Alcohol and drugs are not cheap. If you’re a heavy drinker or drug user, you probably spend a significant portion of your paycheck on your addiction. Some people may even go into debt, resort to illegal activities, or borrow money from loved ones.
Once you get sober, you can start sorting through your financial issues and making new goals. You may even have more disposable income that you can turn into savings or investments.
The combination of all the previous benefits might lead to higher work satisfaction. Greater focus, motivation, and stabilized moods can help you better deal with work stress. So better employment, a raise, or even a career change might be in your future!
Explore Tennessee Rehab Centers
If you’ve spent hungover mornings searching “rehab near me,” you’re already one step closer to getting help. Getting sober can be a scary thought but finding the best rehab center can make this process easier.
Apex Recovery is one of the premier Tennessee rehab centers. We offer both in-patient and out-patient treatment for substance addictions. We accept may forms of payment including insurance and self-pay.
Learn more about our rehab options to find the right one for you. We’ll be there to guide you every step of the way!