The Resolution That Can Change Everything

It’s that time of year again, the time when we traditionally begin to take a look at our lives and see what areas could use a little improvement. It is time for the often dreaded New Year’s resolution. For some it could be eating healthier, going to the gym more often or doing better at handling our finances. What if I told you there was one decision you could make that could greatly contribute to every aspect of your life at the same time? You might think I’m crazy, or full of it, or maybe even a little of both. But, truth be told there is one thing that has the ability to improve everything in your life; overcoming an addiction.

Some of the many benefits of sobriety include but are not limited to:

1. Improved Physical Health

Drug and alcohol abuse wreak havoc on the body. It may not be apparent right away but over time, substance abuse will accelerate the rate that the body breaks down. To further compound the issue, nutrition and exercise aren’t exactly the top priorities during an addiction either. Many people stop eating regularly. One of the greatest things a person with an addiction can do for their physical health is to get sober.

2. Improved Mental Health

If you have ever experienced the fogginess of a hangover or the mental drain of going through withdrawal you can begin to understand the toll that is placed on one’s mental health by an addiction. Over time, certain drugs will wear away at the mind and some can even cause permanent damage. By overcoming addiction one is able to become truly free and regain mental clarity.

3. Improved Emotional Health and Wellbeing

Drugs and alcohol may provide a temporary escape from the emotional burdens of living in modern times, but they will only worsen any underlying problems that already exist. Depression and anxiety will be amplified once the initial high or buzz wears off and drugs will only leave you with wanting more. The escape provided by drugs is temporary and any sense of joy is synthetic. In order to fully experience life, we must learn to work through the bad in order to truly appreciate the good.

4. Improved Finances

This one probably seems pretty obvious, but you would be amazed at how much money you can save by not drinking or doing drugs. An addiction can take everything from you—your money being the least of your concerns. By saving money, the bills are easier to pay and there is more money left over for constructive pursuits. This will not only contribute to less stress, but also fewer visits to the pawn shop.

5. Improved Relationships

It takes time to regain the trust that gets broken during an active addiction, but it is possible. Because of the side effects that come from substance abuse, it is very difficult to maintain healthy relationships when struggling with an addiction. Drinking and using can cause people to say and do things that they normally would not. Understandably, this very often has a damaging effect on relationships. One of the best things a person can do to begin the work of repairing these relationships is to get sober.

6. Improved Work Performance

It is an inevitable fact that work performance declines when one is either under the influence, hungover or going through withdrawal (that is if you can even make it to work while doing the latter). By showing up to work well rested and alert, the day will seem brighter, your productivity will increase and your performance will surely be better.

7. Improved Leisure Activities

There are a lot of funny signs out there promoting drinking that say, “Because a good story never starts with having a salad…” which may be true, but it is also true that a lot of really bad stories often start with drinking. You do not need drugs or alcohol to have fun. There is a whole new world of fun that becomes available when you are no longer spending the majority of your time and money on drinking or using drugs. Climb a mountain, go rafting, develop a new skill or talent, read a book, travel, go skydiving or even get involved with community service without being court-ordered to do so. There is a world of opportunity available when we accept the challenge of discovering it.

8. Improved Quality of Life

In the end, what it all boils down to is that addiction robs us of receiving the full benefits of living. By slowly (or quickly) degrading our health, relationships, and finances, addiction dissolves our quality of life. When all you can think about is getting that next fix or that next drink and nothing else matters anymore, you have lost sight of what is really important in life. An addiction makes it impossible to truly enjoy the experience of being alive and to develop meaningful and lasting relationships. It isn’t easy overcoming addiction and some things may end up getting lost along the way during the journey towards recovery. But what is gained back by making that journey is what makes it truly worth it.

If you are caught up in an addiction and are ready to make 2018 the year to turn your life around but are unsure where to start, give us a call. We are available 24 hours a day and are ready and willing to help.