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You already probably know about most of the bad stuff that can happen to you if you continue to abuse alcohol or drugs. The problem is that knowing the dangers is not always enough to stop people from engaging in this behaviour; just think about all of those still smoking cigarettes. The other problem is that even when fear of negative consequences is enough to convince people to quit drinking, this motivation usually only lasts in the short-term. Once the person has been sober for a few months or years, it is easy to forget about these dangers. This is why it can be much better to focus on the benefits of sobriety. Here are just seven of them:
1. Your Physical Appearance Will Improve
The fact that the negative effects of heavy drinking tend to progress slowly over time means that individuals can miss just how much it has altered their appearance. There are almost certainly plenty of outward signs of your unhealthy lifestyle and, in some cases, the fact that you abuse alcohol may be obvious in your features (for example, some alcoholics develop a red nose – this is referred to as rhinophyma). You may also tend to look bad in the mornings, and you may experience visible shakes until you have your first drink of the day.
As soon as you quit drinking, your physical appearance is likely to improve. If you have seen people who have been sober a few months, they will usually have a healthy glow and it is as if their newfound happiness is stamped on their face. Getting sober can be the best makeover you could ever have.
2. You will be More Creative and Imaginative
Some people drink alcohol because they believe it makes them more creative, but the reality is that addiction has the opposite effect. Getting sober usually means that your imagination is released from the numbness of alcohol and it can be as if great ideas keep on falling into your lap from the heavens. This new creativity can make huge difference to your life – it not only makes living more satisfying but also can also help you in your career.
3. You Will Have Time to Do Things You Love
Drinking is almost like a full-time occupation, so there is not much room for anything else. When you get sober, you will suddenly have a lot more of the most precious commodity in the world – time. You will start to remember all of the things that give you pleasure, and you will have time to engage in these pursuits. You can start working towards doing some amazing things and you can try things that you would never have considered doing before.
4. Getting Sober Means Getting Back Your Dreams
One of the things you will likely have lost due to alcohol abuse is your dreams – you might not even remember the things you dreamed of doing as a child. When you are sober the world becomes your oyster, and you can start turning some of these dreams into reality. People have achieved some amazing things in sobriety, so there is no reason why you cannot do the same.
5. Improved Finances
Financial concerns can be a real source of suffering and sleepless nights. By giving up alcohol, your finances are almost certainly going to improve. This means that you can start clearing off your debts and maybe even start saving a bit of money; it is always nice to have a bit of a financial cushion. The fact that you are sober is also likely to mean that you have more opportunities for making money.
6. Improved Relationships
Let’s face it; most people will cross to the other side of the street when they see somebody they know who is an active alcoholic coming. It is likely that you will have done things that hurt others during your years of addiction, and you were probably hard to be around at least some of the time. By giving up alcohol now, you have the opportunity to become somebody that people want to be around.
7. Increased Serenity
Imagine a life in which no matter what was happening, you enjoyed a sense of inner-peace. It was probably the search for this type of happiness that drove you into substance abuse in the first place. The good news is that you can experience this, and all you have to do to enjoy this level of serenity is stay sober and live life on life’s terms. It does take time, but the more you work on your sobriety, the more serenity you will experience in your life.
