They might join groups like Alcoholics Anonymous and follow the 12 steps religiously, or they might have a wide support network, including opting to live in sober homes. Many of these programs offer a safe space for someone addicted to alcohol, so they can share their experience and feel hopeful for the future. Alcoholism can have a wide range of effects on an individual, including physical, mental, and social. Physically, alcoholics may experience liver damage, high blood pressure, heart problems, obesity, and other health issues.
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Speaking in Terms of Alcohol
Sober curiosity encourages individuals to contemplate the benefits of reducing or eliminating alcohol from their lives. It’s about conscious decision-making regarding when, where, and how much you consume, along with understanding your triggers for substance use. Research suggests that genetics plays a huge part in the development of addiction, with about 50% of alcoholism and 70% of other substance use disorders likely due to heritability.
Two of the primary causes include the following:
Of course, sobriety is a process, and you may slip up along the way. If you do have a relapse, it’s important to get back on track as soon as possible and continue working towards your goal of sobriety. Want to hear about what being sober means from those that have traveled the path to sobriety? Listen to the Sober.Coffee podcast with Mike and Glenn, sharing stories of experience, strength and hope in recovery. If you or somebody in your life struggles with sobriety, professional help may be the best option to help continue on the road to recovery. Once you remove substances from your life, you’ll likely find that you have more free time and energy to invest in other areas of your life.
Is anger common in alcohol withdrawal?
- This is likely because the individual has a need to explore the reasons they began drinking in the first place.
- If you or somebody in your life struggles with sobriety, professional help may be the best option to help continue on the road to recovery.
- Valley Spring Recovery Center offers comprehensive addiction and mental health treatment services.
- Also referred to as alcohol use disorder (AUD), alcoholism is a medical condition affecting the brain.
You can decide your road to recovery by first determining your reasons for migrating to a sober lifestyle. You can seek the help of your friends or a professional therapist to understand yourself better, and you will eventually be able to narrow down your reasons for practicing sobriety. With a recovery plan in place, you will be able to navigate a sober lifestyle in a better way. Some people who struggle with alcohol or drug addictions also suffer from anger issues. If left unchecked, anger can adversely affect your health and your chances of remaining sober. If you are sober, but follow the same routine without making any changes in your life, it is easier to slip into old habits and behaviors.
All your future goals are dependent on that one important decision. When you talk about physical health, occasional drinking or turning sober for life is a great option. It is always important to find out the situations that made you drink in the first place. Dry drunk or white-knuckling refers to when you have let go of alcohol permanently but haven’t dealt with the problems that triggered your drinking habits. If you’re sober curious and treating yourself yourself to a Dry January or Sober October, you may sober alcoholic meaning see some immediate benefits once you stop drinking. Your sleep will improve, and you certainly won’t be waking up to any hangovers.
- Crystal Raypole has previously worked as a writer and editor for GoodTherapy.
- While this definition may work for people who are not in recovery, it usually has a different meaning for those who are.
- However, recovery programs can provide valuable structure, support, and resources that many find essential in maintaining long-term sobriety.
- At the beginning of abstinence, the residual effects of alcohol consumption may prevent sobriety.
- However, the word is often used in different ways in different contexts.
Being a sober person means you practice complete abstinence from drugs, alcohol, and other addictive substances. In the short term, it also means you aren’t intoxicated or under the influence of any of those substances. Relapse prevention in sobriety often involves a holistic approach, addressing both physical and emotional well-being. It includes strategies like therapy, support groups, and lifestyle changes. In contrast, abstinence-focused relapse prevention may concentrate more on avoiding the marijuana addiction substance itself, without necessarily addressing the broader lifestyle and emotional aspects.
