Continued drug abuse may lead to long term adverse effects on the life and health of a user. Unfortunately, getting sober is a challenging process due to the substance withdrawal effects one may experience. Yet, the benefits of ceasing drug use are more significant than the pleasure derived from using them. Oceanfront Recovery can guide you through the health benefits of sobriety and how seeking help can improve your physical and mental well-being.
Physical Health Benefits of Sobriety
Sobriety refers to a state whereby the body does not have a measurable level of drugs such as alcohol. The rate of experiencing the benefits of sober living differs depending on the level of addiction. One of the body parts that experiences the most noticeable effects of sobriety is the brain. Some of the benefits of quitting drugs on the brain include increased ability to focus and solve problems. Additionally, one may experience improved memory and critical thinking skills. Using drugs may affect appetite and lead to poor nutrition and immunity. So, living a sober life can help you improve your eating habits and boost immunity.
Another benefit of ceasing drug use is the reduction of toxins in the body. This decrease allows organs such as the liver and heart to operate efficiently. Moreover, the absence of antidepressants in the body can improve energy levels. Sobriety also leads to significant improvement in skin tone and texture. The eyes may also become less swollen and bloodshot as the blood veins affected by drug use heal.
Mental Health Benefits of Sobriety
Using drugs leads to structural changes in the brain, hence affecting mental health. The most common psychological effects of substance abuse are insomnia, mood swings, and stress. Drug usage also increases the risk of suffering a mental health disorder such as depression. Some of the benefits of sobriety on mental health include decreased anxiety and improved sleeping patterns. Sober living also leads to mood stabilization in addition to reduced anxiety and stress.
Prolonged drug usage interferes with the ability of a person to reason. Hence, getting sober can improve mental clarity and the capacity to act rationally. In some cases, mental health may continue deteriorating after abstaining from drugs. Such a situation may indicate the presence of a health problem that is not as a result of using drugs. So, one should undergo evaluation before rehab to detect any co-occurring mental health disorder.
How to Start Living a Sober Life
The most crucial step in starting a sobriety journey is identifying the signs of addiction. However, a drug user may not recognize that they are dependent on a substance. So, family members and friends play a significant role in helping a drug user to seek treatment. The first step in addiction treatment is getting rid of toxins through detox. This procedure may cause severe withdrawal symptoms, which may require emergency care. Hence, it would be best if you only detoxed under the supervision of a physician. Some of the programs that offer medically supervised detox are residential treatment and partial hospitalization. Upon completing detox, it is advisable to join a customized addiction treatment program. Enrolling in rehab aftercare programs and undergoing therapies will also help to prevent relapse. Some of the therapies used to treat addiction include:
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy
- Family therapy
- Dialectical behavior therapy
- Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy
Oceanfront Recovery Addiction Treatment
Obtaining professional help for drug addiction can help you attain the health benefits of sobriety. At Oceanfront Recovery, we offer drug addiction treatment plans to help you live a sober life. We have a rehab aftercare program that guides clients on how to prevent relapse. This plan entails programs such as support groups and therapy. These measures help to ensure that our clients recover from the physical and mental effects of addiction. Contact Oceanfront Recovery at 877.279.1777 to start a healthy and addiction-free life.
