What Does Sober Mean? 4 Ways To Explore Sobriety

Lean on close friends and family for support, even if your relationships aren’t what they used to be. Think about going to counseling or family therapy to help with that and to deal with other personal issues. These steps, when done with commitment, can result in sustained https://yourhealthmagazine.net/article/addiction/sober-houses-rules-that-you-should-follow/ sobriety and the potential for you to live a healthy, productive, and substance-free life. You can learn more about treatment through some of our sobriety stories. Hear from real people who have struggled with substance misuse. With help from a healthcare professional, you can start looking for a treatment program that meets all of your unique needs.

Improvement might start within a few weeks, with more significant changes becoming apparent 1-2 months into sobriety. While alcohol might initially seem like a quick fix for calming nerves, it ultimately disrupts the brain’s chemical balance, worsening anxiety over time. While this approach may not be suitable for everyone, it can be a stepping stone for those who struggle with lifelong sobriety or face significant barriers to abstinence. Others may have increased marital or relationship problems that are heading toward divorce or breakups. Maybe your work life has suffered, and your boss is tired of you calling in sick or coming in late.

Growing up in more economic and financial uncertainty, Gen Z are more cautious. Research from Montclair State University reveals that this generation perceives risk ‘everywhere they turn’, seeing more danger in life through social media, mass shootings and the climate crisis. Cutting back on alcohol freed up my weekends – no more days lost to hangovers or sluggishness. I started spending that time doing things that actually made me feel good, like morning walks, paddle-boarding, or trying sober house out new hobbies. Content related to the sober-curious lifestyle has hundreds of thousands of views on TikTok, as people share how and why they’ve redefined their relationship with alcohol. PS spoke with several experts within the sober-curious movement about what it means and how to explore your own sober curiosity.

It doesn’t necessarily mean giving up booze altogether or signing up to sobriety indefinitely. Rather, it involves considering drinking less – and in some cases, not at all – and deciding to fit alcohol into your life more thoughtfully instead of mindlessly participating in drinking culture out of habit. With a search volume of over 1.3k per month, it’s definitely a movement that’s gaining in popularity. I’ve taken the sober curious lifestyle as an invitation to host more of the events I want to attend.

• Setbacks don’t erase progress, though, and they don’t mean you’ve “failed” to stay sober.
• Suffice to say, it’s difficult, but it can be an excellent way to help you stay sober.
• You won’t have to think about yourself as a person with no self-control or someone who says stupid things when drunk.
• But I still have a good time, and the occasional early exit feels like a small price to pay for feeling fresh the next day.
• Usually apparent within the first month, with continued improvement over the following months.
• Meeting new people and building lasting relationships without any liquid courage wasn’t just fun and rewarding, it also validated the fact that drink-free me has plenty to offer.

Short-Term Health Effects

What’s important is that sobriety represents a conscious choice to live without substances that negatively affect your physical or mental health. What type of treatment you need depends on several factors, including the severity of your addiction. For instance, if your substance use disorder is diagnosed as mild, an outpatient program might be recommended.

Your relationships get stronger.

Drinking alcohol can create problems in every area of life, including your physical health, mental health, social life, work-life, and overall wellbeing. Make a list of the ways drinking has negatively impacted your life. You may want to reflect on this list when you feel cravings to drink. With the advent of the “sober curious” movement, more companies, restaurants, and bars have been offering various non-alcoholic drinks and mocktails that are tasty and appealing alternatives to alcohol. You might also prefer to drink coffee, tea, a seltzer with fresh fruit, or a soda with fresh lemon or lime.

What to Expect When Getting Sober

Brain chemistry rebounds to normality without continuing the use of substances, and the opportunity to focus can offer new hope and a higher level of consciousness. The sober benefits of utilizing meditation and living in the present moment support the prevention of relapse. Moreover, embracing sobriety as a lifelong endeavor encourages individuals to cultivate a new identity centered around recovery. Adopting a holistic approach to well-being and personal development can replace destructive habits with healthy and fulfilling activities, fostering a sense of purpose and fulfillment.

Top 7 Ways Sobriety Will Change Your Life

You may not exercise because you’d rather drink or you’re spending time nursing hangover symptoms. Your sleep patterns may be altered and you may not think about eating healthy when you’re under the influence. Substance misuse can also affect your immune system and your digestive system.

Abstinence may not necessarily involve this level of mental health engagement. Other studies suggest that roughly 50% of individuals who complete addiction treatment programs remain abstinent for a year, and this number increases with time and ongoing treatment. The same Mintel survey explained that two-thirds of consumers aged reported worrying about the emotional impact of alcohol, while a similar figure reported that they wanted to learn more about drinking mindfully.

Real and Authentic Relationships

Instead, be present, look at the things around you and identify only facts. Say them out loud, what you’re wearing, where you’re sitting, what year it is, what city you live in, that the light is on, that the walls are blue, etc. Doing this can help stop rapid thought and bring you back to the present. Some of the most creative people used artistic expression to showcase what they’re feeling. Being sober can be stressful, but it doesn’t need to be — and it certainly won’t be forever. You’re not punishing yourself for not drinking, you’re rewarding yourself, so go out and get a massage to work out some of that tension and feel proud while you’re pampered.

Practicing sobriety encompasses building a support network, engaging in therapy, counseling, practicing self-care, and addressing the underlying issues contributing to addictive behaviors. Deciding to quit isn’t easy, but it’s a brave and commendable first step toward becoming sober. You may not be completely ready to stop drinking or know exactly how to get sober from alcohol, but even just having the thought that you want to stop and need help is a good place to start.

Benefits of being sober curious

This process doesn’t happen overnight, but many report a significant decrease in their anxiety levels as they continue to live alcohol-free. You may want to start an exercise routine — exercise releases brain chemicals called endorphins, which can make you feel good. Or you might rather spend time volunteering for a good cause, like an animal shelter or children’s hospital.