It’s no secret that drugs and alcohol are addictive substances that only serve to make your life worse. Even if you’re deeply entrenched in addiction, you know these substances are harmful. But knowing something and taking action to make a change are two different things.
To help you bridge the gap, we’ve put together a list of eight reasons why someone should lead a drug-free lifestyle.
Are you ready to start living a drug-free life? Call La Fuente at 888.903.9898.
1. Improved physical health
People grappling with addiction often face serious health issues like lung or heart disease, liver conditions, stroke, or cancer. Additionally, using drugs and alcohol raises the risk of contracting bacterial, parasitic, and viral infections. For example, substance abusers are more likely to contract viruses such as HIV and hepatitis (B and C) as a result of sharing equipment or engaging in unsafe sex practices.
Although quitting drugs and alcohol won’t immediately solve all of your health problems, it gives your immune system a chance to regain strength and allows the body to heal. Consequently, you’ll have more energy, increased stamina, and better sleep quality. These improvements can help encourage additional health-promoting behaviors like regular exercise and a balanced diet.
2. Better mental and emotional health
Many people use drugs and alcohol to ease symptoms of anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). While substances may provide short-term relief, they often worsen mental health and emotional regulation in the long run.
Even those without previous drug or alcohol issues are at risk. Drug misuse can alter the brain’s structure and function, increasing the likelihood of developing conditions like depression.
By getting sober, you learn new, healthier coping mechanisms to help manage your emotions more effectively.
3. Stronger relationships
Alcohol and drug use frequently lead to conflicts, arguments, and fractured trust, straining relationships with romantic partners, family members, and friends.
Choosing sobriety allows you to mend relationships damaged by substance abuse and cultivate new, healthier connections based on mutual trust and respect.
By laying this foundation of trust, you’ll improve your communication skills, deepen your connections, and enjoy a more fulfilling social life.
4. Freedom from legal troubles
Using drugs and alcohol can lead to immediate legal consequences such as arrests, DUI charges, and even incarceration. Individuals may also face court appearances, fines, and the loss of certain privileges.
As if that weren’t bad enough, these punishments have long-lasting effects that go beyond the legal system. Many employers conduct background checks, and a history of drug-related issues can raise red flags, limiting job opportunities and career growth.
For those with marks on their record, getting sober demonstrates a commitment to turning their lives around. Plus, the more time that passes between past legal troubles and the present, the better.
If you’ve been fortunate enough not to face legal problems due to drug and alcohol use, steering clear of substances ensures you’ll never have to worry about legal complications getting in the way of your goals.
5. Career growth
Advancing in your career while battling substance addiction is incredibly tough. When you’re in the throes of addiction, getting high often comes before fulfilling commitments. This can mean frequently calling in sick, showing up to work hungover, and not completing tasks. In the worst cases, it can even lead to losing your job.
Sobriety offers a clear solution to these work-related challenges. Simply put, living a drug-free life leads to feeling better overall. No more calling in sick because you can’t get out of bed, no more tardiness, and no more avoiding responsibilities. Choosing sobriety can make you a more reliable and productive employee, potentially resulting in raises, promotions, and more job security.
6. Financial stability
Addiction comes with a hefty price tag. A 2019 report from the RAND Corporation revealed that Americans shelled out roughly $150 billion on cannabis, cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamine in 2016. Even more surprisingly, a significant portion of this spending comes from a small group of daily or near-daily drug users.
The financial impact of alcohol is equally staggering. Another study estimated that spending on alcohol in the U.S. reached $158 billion in 2017.
Considering these figures, it’s easy to see how much money you could save by not purchasing substances. Sure, addiction treatment may seem costly, but it pales in comparison to the expenses of addiction itself.
Choosing to live a drug-free lifestyle means not only saving hundreds of dollars a week (or even a day) on substances but it also entails having the financial freedom to lead a better life. Depending on your goals, this could involve setting money aside for emergencies, investing, or making big purchases like a home or a car.
7. Greater sense of purpose
When you’re using, your entire focus is on getting high. Every ounce of your energy — physical, emotional, mental, and financial — is devoted to obtaining your substance of choice. Your life becomes solely about using drugs, leaving no room to enjoy the present moment, give back to others, or dream about the future. It might sound harsh, but a life of addiction lacks purpose.
In contrast, living a drug-free lifestyle means reconnecting with loved ones, immersing yourself in work and hobbies, contributing to your community, and striving to make a positive difference in the world. Even by taking small steps, your sober life becomes more fulfilling than a life dominated by substance use.
8. Enhanced quality of life
Quality of life means something different to everyone, but it generally refers to being healthy, comfortable, and able to enjoy life’s experiences.
From this perspective, it’s clear how living drug-free improves quality of life. Sobriety positively impacts physical, mental, and emotional health. It also helps you save money and potentially boosts career opportunities, providing more resources for a comfortable and enjoyable life. Moreover, sobriety gives you the energy to contribute to others, enhancing your sense of purpose.
Together, these factors lead to greater daily well-being and a more fulfilling life in the long term.
Get Sober at La Fuente Hollywood Treatment Center
Knowing why you should lead a drug-free lifestyle and doing it are two different things. You might intellectually understand why getting sober benefits your health, finances, and overall life satisfaction, but that doesn’t necessarily make quitting any easier.
If you’re ready to make a change and need assistance getting started, call La Fuente at 888.903.9898. Our West Hollywood treatment center is here to help you begin your new life.
