substance over substances
Alcohol
Ready to reduce alcohol’s role in your life? Then get ready for some increased benefits:
As your biochemical levels restabilize, you can experience:
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- Improved sleep patterns
- Improved mental focus and clarity
- Increased stamina
Clearer skin
Breathe deep…
…and feel free from alcohol-related anxiety
Improved relationships…
…with friends, romantic partners, children, parents, and coworkers
More time for the hobbies…
…and sober activities you enjoy
Become a member of a new team!
There are countless people experiencing sobriety and famous people who are cheering you on!
If the benefits listed above aren’t enough to inspire change, take a look at alcohol’s downside:
- Anxiety and/or depression
- Arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat)
- Cancer
- Dementia
- Digestive issues
- Fibrosis
- High blood pressure
- Liver damage
- Pancreatitis
- Stroke
But if you’re not drinking, then what? Glad you asked. Try these alternatives:
- Find your SOS buddies who are not big drinkers and engage in activities with them
- Ask friends who do drink if they would find alternative activities to enjoy together
- Seltzer is a great choice. Or, discover the growing world of mocktails and non-alcoholic beverages. There are a lot of commercialized non-alcoholic drinks and beers to be found in restaurants or bars.
- Even better, gather your friends and try your hand at mixing 28 Best Mocktail Recipes – Easy Recipes For Non-Alcoholic Mixed Drinks
- Volunteer to be the designated driver, or set up other situations in which you cannot drink
- Inform your friends and loved ones (if comfortable) that you are attempting sobriety (as a permanent lifestyle change or for a period of time)
- Avoid situations where drinking is common as well as other triggers
- Assert yourself and do your best to avoid peer pressures
- Make up a white lie such as you already had a drink, you have to get up early, drive home etc.
- Keep your non-alcoholic drink a secret – people can’t tell if it’s real or not
- Read helpful articles to develop strategies like Ways To Get Away With Not Drinking In Social Situations
- Develop habits in place of drinking
- Exercise
- Create Exercise Habits to Replace Drinking in Excess | ISSA
- Role of exercise in the treatment of alcohol use disorders – PMC
- 6 Benefits of Exercise in Addiction Recovery | Potential Treatment for Drug Abuse
- Dance
- Go for a hike
- Try something new
- Hang out with your loved ones
- Make a list of rewards for yourself that get more exciting over time to encourage you to keep going
Links and additional resources:
- Impressive Health Benefits of Sobriety | Alcohol Addiction Treatment OH
- Lesser Known Advantages of Being Sober
- The Benefits of Quitting Alcohol
- Dry Together – A national network of mothers ages 35 and up who want to redefine the role of alcohol in their lives. They also have a newsletter.
- ‘I’m not drinking right now.’ You don?t need to have a problem to take a break. – The Washington Post
- Giving up booze for Dry January? Here’s some advice from the experts. – The Washington Post
- https://www.vox.com/the-highlight/2020/2/18/21136863/alcoholism-sober-curious-mindful-drinking