Listing the benefits of being sober might seem a little unnecessary at first. However, anyone trying to pursue recovery knows how challenging it can be.
Studies show that numerous pitfalls along the path to healing and recovery can lead a person to abandon their pursuit of recovery altogether. It can be disconcerting at times to face the world as a sober person and avoid relapse. Finding a good reason to carry on in recovery can sometimes get lost in the fog of life’s rigors, disappointments, or losses.
Fortunately, there are numerous reasons to look forward to a life in continued recovery. Below are just a few of the many examples.
Better Relationships
We may not have realized this at the time, but our personal relationships suffered while we were supporting our addictions. Our ability to pay attention to the people around us was greatly diminished by our inability to concentrate on anything besides getting our next fix, buying our next drink, or gambling our next dollar.
Friends, family, and anyone who might fall in between may have needed our attention. They might have expected us to show an interest in their lives, thoughts, or feelings. The truth of the matter is that we just couldn’t do that and support an addiction at the same time.
Improved Finances
Paying for addictions can be costly. According to the journal Substance Use and Misuse, one of the most common positive effects of fighting addiction can be an improvement in personal finances. The stress of paying bills and affording life’s necessities can put a strain on even the most budget-conscious person. It is very fortunate that recovery can actually make life more affordable than a life of addiction.
Increased Job Performance
Maybe the idea of working harder doesn’t sound as enticing as having more money on hand or having improved personal relationships. However, it can be a source of great comfort and support.
Addictions can drain our motivation to accomplish goals that don’t involve taking care of the addiction. Our job, whether we like it or not, makes up a significant part of our daily lives. Even if we’re not convinced our job is important, there is inner satisfaction that comes with knowing that you have done a job well.
Whether it’s teaching, cleaning, or running a business, knowing we can do our job and do it well is a huge boost to our self-esteem, and self-esteem plays a significant role in sustaining our recovery.
Finding Joy in Being Sober
While the list of improvements that come with sobriety goes on and on, it’s important to know that each experience is very personal. What we like about ourselves most in sobriety is up to us to find out. The key ingredient to finding out who we are in sobriety is knowing that we are worth the time and effort it takes to find a happier, healthier us.
The initial benefits of pursuing a life in recovery are generally more obvious than the long-term effects. In the beginning, just the idea of feeling better about yourself, both physically and mentally, are good enough reasons to give up a life of addiction. It’s important to remember that the initial benefits are nothing compared to the long-term advantages of living a life free of addiction. If you are struggling with substance abuse or behavioral addiction, take your life back today. Call The Guest House at (855) 483-7800 for more information.