Adapting to a new lifestyle following treatment requires a lot of adjustment. However, the benefits of living a sober lifestyle will make those adjustments worth the effort. There is a tremendous amount of power and healing in living a sober lifestyle, whether you suffered from an addiction or not.
One of the most important aspects of living a sober lifestyle is the benefit it has on your physical health. Long term drug and alcohol abuse can cause many health issues such as cancer, organ failure and heart disease. In the short term, drugs and alcohol can also disrupt your ability to sleep, raise your blood pressure, produce mood changes, reduce your energy level, and affect your ability to concentrate.
Living sober will allow you to sleep better and look better. You’ll be more likely to maintain a healthy weight and have more energy in your daily life. Substance abuse can lead to malnutrition and dehydration. Living sober will help you rehydrate and regain your appetite which in turn will allow you to receive the nutrients your body needs.
Substance abuse takes a toll on your mental health as well, often increasing your risk of depression and anxiety. Living sober will benefit your mental health by reducing your risk for mental illness, improving your memory, gaining more self-respect and provide you with an overall brighter outlook on life. Addicts often experience feelings of shame and guilt because of your addictive behavior. A sober lifestyle will allow you to overcome these feelings as you begin helping others, meeting your obligations and building relationships.
Addictive behaviors take a toll on friends and family. After treatment, you may need to evaluate your past relationships. Part of recovery and living a sober lifestyle is finding and developing new interests and relationships. You will discover new friends who share these interests and support your new lifestyle. Also, once you are sober, you’ll be able to build more nurturing and meaningful relationships because people will see you have become reliable and honest.
Most importantly, a life free of substance addiction means you are able to live your life to the fullest and hold onto the special moments you experience along the way. Substance abuse holds you back mentally and physically and keeps you from building the relationships that help you live your life to its full potential. Without the burden of substance abuse, you can feel the appreciation, love, support and joy expressed by loved ones and build the life you’ve always dreamed about!
Rimrock offers a variety of services and programs to help you continue the healing that began during treatment. We understand that care after addiction and establishing a new sober lifestyle is key in implementing lifelong abstinence-based recovery. To learn about our services and treatment philosophy, call us at 406-248-3175 or 800-227-3953. We have staff available to take your call 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You can also find us on Facebook, or by visiting our website at www.rimrock.org.
