Signs You Need To Quit Drinking
Alcohol addiction can be hard to recognize in yourself because it often happens gradually, and your brain and body are altered over the course of your drug use. Drinking culture is also normalized in our society, making it easy to downplay your problem or write it off as typical. Even when you begin to recognize your relationship with alcohol has become a problem, it’s hard to admit to yourself you are actually addicted and need help. So we’ve put together a list of signs you need to get sober. If ANY of these apply to you, please know you are not alone, sobriety is possible, and life will be so much better when you’re in control again.
- You can’t stop at just one drink.
- You’ve drunk until you blacked out.
- You feel like you can’t socialize without alcohol.
- Your drinking is affecting your relationships, work performance/schooling, or ability to parent.
- Your hangovers are severe enough they interfere with your daily life.
- You feel the need to hide or lie about your alcohol consumption.
- You’ve driven while under the influence.
- You’ve gotten in trouble with the law, or have the potential to (DUI’s, theft, CPS, etc.).
- You experience alcohol withdrawals.
- You have friends and family members asking you to get sober.
Advantages of Sober Living
Sobriety truly has so many benefits. You’ll find your life doesn’t end when you put down the bottle, but actually begins. Your social interactions will become more genuine and meaningful and you will experience greater trust and connection in your relationships. The path to sobriety will lead you to greater self awareness, provoke personal growth and development, and inspire an inner strength and confidence. Anxiety and depression will decrease over time and you’ll find yourself feeling happier. In addition to improved mental and emotional well-being (and lots of saved money!), sobriety has many physical health benefits, including:
- Weight loss
- Improved memory
- Healthier heart and liver
- Lower blood pressure
- Better sleep
- More energy
Apps To Help With Sobriety
The path to sobriety is not easy, but it’s so worth it! Finding good resources and a community to support you along the way will be so important in your success. So we’ve put together a list of 5 apps to help you in your addiction recovery.
Affect Therapeutics
Basing their program on principles of behavioral science, Affect Therapeutics has developed an integrated digital treatment program they claim has more than double the success rate of traditional rehab for even the most difficult substance abuse disorders. They use a form of treatment called Contingency Management that engages the “rewards center” of your brain in a similar way the addiction does — but they make it work for you, not against you!
I Am Sober
The I Am Sober app helps you track your sobriety and build positive daily habits alongside others striving to change their lifestyle and overcome their addiction. Through the app, more than 5 million stories have been shared to help develop a strong support community, dispelling the belief you are alone in your struggle. Taking their pledge and having others hold you accountable can be a great motivator in your recovery.
Sober Grid
Providing a social network with privacy settings allowing you to share as much or as little as you like (you can choose to be completely anonymous), the Sober Grid connects you to people in your area who are also choosing to live sober. If your social circle doesn’t include people you can spend time with without drinking, this app can help you establish important friendships with people who can support you. You can also access 24/7 peer support when you’re struggling with temptation.
SoberTool
Made by a Harvard educated licensed alcohol and drug counselor, SoberTool calculates the number of days you’ve been sober and the amount of money you’ve saved by doing so! It also features daily strategies, a community forum, and rewards to keep you motivated and on track.
Loosid
Loosid operates on the belief that, “Sober shouldn’t be somber.” They celebrate the sober lifestyle and connect you with a community of people living and loving the sober life through group chats. Loosid provides daily sober tips, inspiring turnaround stories, and informational blog articles. They also have features for sober dating, rehab guides, and boozeless guides.
This article was written exclusively for Love What Matters by Elizabeth Grow. Submit your story here.
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