‘Sober Curious’? Taking A Break From Booze Is Trendy And Helps Health : Shots Health News : NPR
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- July 7, 2023
- Sober living
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The first step to getting sober is recognizing and admitting that you have a problem with drug or alcohol misuse. It’s difficult to admit that you have lost control over your substance use. The “sober curious” or “sober sometimes” movement started as a challenge for those who felt they’d partied a little too hard over New Year’s weekend. First there was “Dry January,” when people could brag on social media about how they were taking a break from booze.
A Note on Gender and Sex Terminology
Taking the initiative to develop a healthier relationship with alcohol can be incredibly empowering. Alcohol becomes important to us, and thus, other things take a back seat. As we begin to diminish the role alcohol plays in our life, we have more time to nurture who we really are, and get closer to our ideal selves. Navigating the early recovery identity crisis can be challenging, but it also brings about an opportunity for immense self-exploration.
Question About Treatment
Talk to your healthcare provider if you suspect you have alcohol addiction and want to get sober. When you’re addicted to alcohol, sobriety involves more than just waiting for alcohol to leave your system. http://bookorbita.com/library/dramaturgiya/grand_mihail/a_friends_frown.html It can be a challenging journey that causes withdrawal symptoms and requires emotional and sometimes medical support. When reaching out to family and friends for support, it’s important to choose wisely.
Build Healthy Relationships
For more severe addiction issues, healthcare professionals may suggest inpatient care, which requires you to live onsite at the hospital or facility for the duration of treatment. There are common setbacks to getting and staying sober like withdrawal, http://sel-i-poehal.ru/automoto/2020/11/02/bmw-x6m-nuzhna-tebe-takaya-mashina-brat.html craving, and pressure to use. Setbacks don’t erase progress, though, and they don’t mean you’ve “failed” to stay sober. The NSLA also assists and promotes the establishment, successful management and growth of high-quality sober living homes.
- This access ensures you have the tools and support necessary to deal with life’s challenges without reverting to old habits.
- As explained in a study from the Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment, even something as simple as a motivational texting program can better your chances of avoiding relapse.
- Some of AAC’s compassionate team of medical professionals struggled with alcohol and/or drug misuse in the past themselves.
- Other definitions, however, often focus on the process of recovery and developing coping mechanisms and habits that support health and wellness over the long term.
- The following tips are all ways you can help yourself reach your goals.
Alcohol has a significant amount of calories, which is easy to lose track of or overlook. Poor sleep can lead to increased cortisol levels, which work against weight loss. Not to mention, waking up tired or with a hangover can impact our motivation to be active in the first place. Of course, every body is unique, and we come to sobriety on our own path. For example, “fitness” goals during the recovery process may look different for those navigating an eating disorder, body trauma, or other challenges in their relationship with their body.
- Throughout the recovery journey, changing your drinking behaviors to better align with your character will empower you to be the best version of yourself.
- In essence, sober living gives you the tools and support necessary for recovery, laying a foundation for a stable, sober future.
- If there is tension in your household or your family members are not sure how to handle the issues you are dealing with then they can receive training and guidance.
- Addiction can be isolating, but in sober living homes, you are surrounded by individuals who understand the struggles and challenges that come with recovery.
- If all of your friends still drink or use drugs then you will have no one you can rely on for support when you are struggling to stay sober.
The Importance of Sober Living in Recovery
You may feel drowsy and fall asleep faster than usual, but alcohol can disrupt your sleep throughout the night, and you may have frequent awakenings, even if you don’t remember them. While coffee or cold showers might make you feel more alert for a short time, they do not impact your BAC level. Eating food before drinking can slow down the absorption of alcohol and buy your body some extra time to process alcohol, but eating after drinking won’t speed up its elimination once it is in your system. Alcohol suppresses the immune system’s ability to fight infection and keep you healthy. A night of drinking five to six drinks suppresses your immune system for up to 24 hours, making you more vulnerable to illnesses like bacterial or viral infections.
It may seem that relapse is the last thing that could happen to you, but the truth is they are very common for people new to recovery. Now, if you’re worried that you are one of the 17 million U.S. adults who are alcohol dependent, and alcohol is causing you stress or harm, seek medical advice. As we’ve reported, there are a variety of treatments beyond Alcoholics Anonymous, including counseling, medications and support groups to help people who want to end that dependency. This NIAAA guide can help you find a program or approach that’s right for you.
Get Help Getting Sober at Renaissance Recovery
Try to spend more time with people who you trust to respect your decision to reduce or eliminate drinking alcohol, rather than those who will judge or pressure you. Exercise https://sbio.info/forums/posts/2919?n=last increases endorphins, which are the “feel-good” chemicals in the brain. It can be a good replacement for the release of endorphins caused by drinking alcohol.
Programs like sober living homes, motivational phone calls, alumni programs, and mutual-help groups provide a level of support that can continue in the short-term or as needed for the rest of your life. As explained in a study from the Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment, even something as simple as a motivational texting program can better your chances of avoiding relapse. Medical support can also wean you from certain substances slowly, helping the brain and body adjust to the loss of the substance more gradually and minimizing some withdrawal symptoms. These benefits not only ease the discomfort of the detox process, but also help to prevent relapse during this stage of treatment. Detox occurs when the body goes through the process of eliminating substances from itself.