I can honestly say sobriety is the best thing I have ever done for myself. It was my jumping-off point into a life I knew I had buried inside of me. I got out of debt, started a company that provides digital recovery, launched a podcast, and am in the middle of writing a book. Stay close to the loved ones who accept you (wherever you may be in your recovery journey), help you when you’re feeling down, and offer to spend time doing non-alcohol-centric things (or even make tasty mocktails when the time is right). Once you have solid answers on whom you want to talk to, it’s time to consider the actual convo itself. There are no hard-and-fast rules for this particular step—only you know the context and history of your relationships and your sobriety journey.
Your physical health.
Though it may take some time for a loved one to adapt to your new boundaries around sobriety, repeated disrespect or disregard of your boundaries may mean it’s time to reconsider how (and whether) you’ll show up in this relationship. No matter what, knowing how you’re going to approach the conversation beforehand is the important part. Elder recommends first understanding your relationship to alcohol or substances (as a coping mechanism, for example) and getting comfortable giving others a sense of your journey. If you’re unsure of whom to approach, pod mapping is a great tool to help figure out relationship safety. Not everyone in your circle will necessarily be understanding of your situation.
Reasons to Stay Sober in 2023 & 2024
The reasons why someone begins to use drugs are too numerous to count. For every addict in the world, there is a uniquely personal reason they began using their substance of choice. There are many routes you can take in starting up the sobriety conversation with those closest to you. Below are reasons to stay sober a few tips for getting started from our mental health experts. Choosing not to drink is certainly a distinct thing from managing long-term recovery from alcohol misuse, and where the former may be looked down upon in certain settings, the latter is steeped in deep-rooted stigma and taboo.
Nearly half of younger adults say they ‘wish there were more parties to choose from’
Nearly half of those ages 18 to 49 say they often wish there were more parties to choose from (47% say it describes their views extremely or very well); that compares with 35% of those ages 50 to 64 and just 23% of those 65 and older. The belief that the opposing party’s policies are harmful to the country is a particularly prominent factor in why independents lean toward the Republican and Democratic parties. It is the only one, among the five included on this survey, cited by majorities of both Republican-leaning (57%) and Democratic-leaning independents (55%) as a major reason why they lean toward their parties.
You’ll Save Money
An Employee Assistance Program (EAP) may be available through your employer. Drinking alcohol can be fine in moderation for some people, but alcohol misuse or alcohol use disorder can lead to health issues and personal and professional problems. Whether it’s to improve your physical health or state of mind, it can be beneficial to explore the role alcohol plays in your life. Apps like Pocket Rehab can connect you with others that will offer immediate support.
- Imagine being able to make plans, fulfill goals, achieve financial stability, find a spiritual balance, even travel and try new things — instead of spending your day and your life waiting on the next high or the next drink.
- Alcohol.org is a subsidiary of AAC, a nationwide provider of addiction treatment centers offering a combination of proven therapies and services to meet your individual needs.
- “Most people find more power in themselves as they grow confident handling stress, sleep, and social situations without relying on alcohol,” he says.
- If there’s someone in your life that you lost to addiction or that doesn’t do the right things because he or she is an addict, maybe you should stay sober just so that you are not like that person.
- Even if your friends aren’t rocked by the not drinking thing, it’s possible that if they aren’t engaging in their own path of self-discovery, there may be tension at some point while you figure yourself out and evolve, and you may grow apart.
Sobriety is a general term for staying away from mood- and mind-altering substances, though there is no commonly agreed-upon medical definition in terms of what sobriety means. People in recovery generally agree that abstinence is necessary but remains just a starting point for a new, sober life. The only genuine health risk to going sober curious, even for a short time, is probably withdrawal side effects, in which case you may suffer from alcohol use disorder. Giving up alcohol isn’t always easy, especially if you are regularly in social situations where you might feel pressured to drink by friends, family, or co-workers. If you want to try being sober curious, some strategies can help you take a more mindful approach to drinking.
And yet, the Biden campaign and its allies are concerned enough about discord within the party that they are actively asserting that Biden is the only candidate who could carry the party’s standard in November. Campaign-finance law experts say that it is likely that Biden’s campaign war chest could be transferred to Harris because she is his running mate and appears as such on filings with the FEC. But any other candidate would most likely https://ecosoberhouse.com/article/5-tips-of-how-to-maintain-recovery-motivation/ have to raise new money for his or her campaign. Democrats have been agonizing over Biden’s fitness for the top of their ticket since his blundering debate performance Thursday, when he repeatedly struggled to make cogent arguments and often looked lost. A handful of them have called on him to step aside to preserve or improve their chances of defeating former President Donald Trump and win majorities in the House and the Senate.
How to talk about sobriety with your loved ones
“Most people find more power in themselves as they grow confident handling stress, sleep, and social situations without relying on alcohol,” he says. Further, if you’re caught drinking and driving, you may be charged with a DUI which can result in additional financial burdens. A DUI typically includes fees for bail, attorneys, court fines, court-mandated classes, and public transportation costs due to the loss of a license or vehicle, though fees vary state-by-state. When all is said and done, a first-time DUI offense could potentially cost you anywhere from $10,000 to $25,000. Below are some of the many benefits of sobriety that are worth considering when choosing whether to work toward sobriety and maintain a life of abstinence.
- The only binding constraint is the will of a handful of people at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.
- Some studies find that this structure, along with a start date for sobriety and milestones, is important to some people in recovery.
- First off, there are all sorts of fun mocktails and non-alcoholic drinks you can still try.
- Then, the first few weeks of sobriety are when relapse risk is highest.
- If you are thinking about getting sober and seeking treatment at a rehab facility, you may be feeling overwhelmed or even afraid.
- For every addict in the world, there is a uniquely personal reason they began using their substance of choice.