Advice for exploring a sober curious lifestyle

Some people give up alcohol or other drugs temporarily, often for monthlong periods like Dry January, as a cleanse or a test for longer sobriety. But experts say it shouldn’t be confused with treatment for actual substance use disorders. If you’ve cut out other substances along the way, you may prefer describing your journey sober house as living “clean” rather than just sober.

Improved physical health

Sobriety in this context is an active, ongoing commitment to a set of behaviors and actions that support overall health and prevent relapse, making it an integral part of the recovery journey. However, it’s important to note that abstinence is not synonymous with recovery or sobriety. While abstinence focuses solely on the absence of the addictive substance or behavior, recovery and sobriety encompass a broader range of actions and commitments. These include not only abstaining from substance use but also engaging in a holistic approach to recovery that addresses physical, psychological, and social well-being. In this sense, sobriety is an active, ongoing commitment to a set of behaviors and actions that support overall health and prevent relapse.

A mental health professional can help you cope with some of the challenges you’ll face on your path to sobriety. By Michelle PugleMichelle Pugle writes health articles for award-winning websites, as seen in Healthline, Verywell, Everyday Health, and Psych Central. She has a Master’s degree, undergraduate degrees in English and Sociology, a diploma in Holistic Herbal Therapy, and is trained in mental health first aid, anti-violence work, and peer support work.

Jesus’ Teachings on Self-Control and Sobriety

Sobriety may refer to being clear of immediate or residual effects of any mind-altering substances. Colloquially, it may refer to a specific substance that is the concern of a particular recovery support program6 (e.g. alcohol, marijuana, opiates, or tobacco). „Clean and sober” is a commonly used phrase, which refers to someone having an extended period without alcohol or other drugs in their body. Being a sober person means you practice complete abstinence from drugs, alcohol, and other addictive substances.

You haven’t started drinking, have waited enough time since your last drink to sober up, or abstain from drinking. He added that the grant program’s funding is designed to alleviate economic loss and support recovery, and said it reinforces Mayes’ commitment to remedying the harm caused by fraudulent practices targeting Arizona’s vulnerable communities. Hobbs said in an interview with the Arizona Mirror that she could not comment on the lawsuit, but the state is still responding to the sober living crisis.

Challenges of Having a Sober Personality Type

We are no longer supporting IE (Internet Explorer) as we strive to provide site experiences for browsers that support new web standards and security practices. It won’t be enough on its own, Langabeer agrees, but a month of sobriety might be a valuable first step for some people. An alcohol-free lifestyle can offer big rewards—if you know what your goal is, why it matters, and how you plan to get there. For those on Moderation Management plans, that means no more than 4 drinks in one sitting for men and 3 drinks in one sitting for women. According to this plan, men and women shouldn’t drink more than 3-4 days per week.

Is There a Difference in Physical Health Between Being Sober and Being Abstinent?

And we want to make sure that we do everything we can to protect these individuals. We are still going to continue for now the requirement at state regulated healthcare facilities. I think that’s very obvious of why we wanted to make sure our health care facilities are safe. That’d be adult care facilities, nursing homes, correctional facilities, schools and childcare centers, and I’ll be talking about that in a minute. “Our focus remains protecting the populations we serve, ensuring that Arizonans receive the vital care and services they need, and eliminating fraud,” they added.

What Are The Three Pillars of Recovery and Sobriety?

That means drinking is limited to moderate, responsible amounts as defined by your personal goals or the more official Moderation Managementguidelines. First of all, you can get those same antioxidants from chowing down on a handful of red grapes. More importantly, drinking in moderation just doesn’t come naturally for everyone. If you slip into heavy or binge drinking, potential health benefits can quickly become outnumbered by averse affects. As a recovering person, you are more than likely finding some time during the daily grind to find a quiet spot, sit comfortably, closing your eyes and just focusing on your breath.

• They may be fresh out of a treatment program, have several weeks of recovery under their belt, or be years into a sober life.
• Recovery from drug addiction is not just a one-time event but a continuous process.
• For those who have struggled with substance abuse for a long time, the idea of who they are while sober can leave them with a bit of an identity crisis.
• This includes not just abstaining from substances but also adopting healthier lifestyle choices like regular exercise, balanced nutrition, and stress management.

It’s likely that you’ll experience some withdrawal symptoms, especially if you’ve developed a dependency on alcohol. Movements like Sober September serve as a reset or cleanse after periods of heavy drinking. It may be a way to kick off long-term sobriety or test out what staying sober might feel like. Embracing sobriety is a remarkable and transformative journey that reflects a deep desire for wholeness and renewal.

• Maybe you don’t like how alcohol makes you feel after you’ve had a drink or two.
• Everyone’s path along recovery is different, and what works for some may not work for others.
• If PAWS is severe or if you’re experiencing prolonged symptoms, a medical professional can help you work through them and remain in recovery without relapse.
• One 2020 study found potential benefits of combining in-person and online support methods.
• Stewart said she couldn’t comment on how she is helping with the lawsuit, but she has shared the information she has gathered over the years, including the stories of people directly impacted by the fraud.

There wasn’t one major event in Soules’ life that helped make his decision. The Bachelor Nation alum just felt like “enough is enough” when it came to his drinking habits. Elsewhere in the podcast episode, Soules said that he started to drink alcohol “long before” learning how to drive.

The Role of Prayer in Staying Sober

In any case, the decision to rein in excessive drinking can offer big rewards—if you know what your goal is, why it matters, and how you plan to get there. You may find yourself liking this new sobriety thing, as you’ll feel and look better from the inside out. Just like today, the olde version meant “in possession of one’s faculties.” Further back than that, the Latin word sobrius meant “without drunkenness.” But the word has come to mean a little bit more. Whether it is through ink or the clothes you wear, sober folks like to express their appreciation for their recovery. Some folks may look at it as being kind of preachy and pushy, but the bottom line is that you are loud and proud in your recovery.

More Commonly Misspelled Words

Some people treat short-term sobriety as a way to lose weight or as a response to an indulgent vacation. Drinking in moderation does come with some benefits, especially if you’re reaching for https://appsychology.com/living-in-a-sober-house/ resveratrol-rich red wine, but it will always be a better option to drink less or not at all. Those in recovery who haven’t addressed those root issues are often described as “dry drunk,” a term coined by AA.

As we look to both the teachings of Christ and the wisdom of the Bible, we gain vital encouragement and strength to face the trials that come with remaining sober. Stock up on non-alcoholic options you love, like alcohol-free beers, kombucha, or fancy mocktails. I realised I didn’t need alcohol to feel fun, confident, or relaxed. Those feelings are within us already, we just have to give ourselves the chance to tap into them. Drinks add up fast – especially when you’re treating yourself to that ‚just one more’ cocktail.

A sign that you are a sober person is that you look at the money in your wallet and you find ways to make it work for you. The amount of cabbage that actually is in your wallet may be small, but it is yours and not going towards booze or dope so you have that going for you. When you first enter the wide, wonderful and oftentimes unpredictable world of recovery, there is a definite sense of struggle. Leaving behind the old and destructive ways of addiction and adapting newer and healthier ways of thinking, feeling and acting takes a lot of active practice as well as continual trial and error. Tremendous progress after two long years, and we’re not done, but this is trending in a very, very good direction. And that is why we are now approaching a new phase in this pandemic.