When you complete addiction treatment in Agoura and adopt a lifestyle of sobriety, the world can look and feel very different. Some people even feel resentful that they’ve had to give up something they enjoyed. When these thoughts creep up, it’s important to stay grounded and remember all the reasons why you quit drinking. You now have a life to live that is free from the burdens of alcohol.
Below are ten unique ways your life will change when you seek rehab in Agoura Hills and quit drinking. Some of them may surprise you!
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Look Younger
Alcohol is a diuretic, which means it dehydrates the skin and decreases elasticity. It also causes the body tissues to be inflamed, which is why you may notice that your cheeks get red. When you stop drinking, you can restore moisture and improve your skin’s youthfulness.
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Save Money
Are you tired of spending all of your money on your habit? The National Institute of Health has a handy spending calculator that lets you see how much you spend on alcohol. By not drinking, you can start saving your money for more important things like taking a vacation!
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Lose Weight
Another benefit of not drinking is losing weight. Alcohol contains a lot of empty calories that can result in substantial weight gain. The more alcohol you drink, the more weight you are likely to gain. While recovering from alcohol abuse, be sure to watch your carbs as well. This will help you lose weight faster.
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Improve Heart Health
Drinking is bad for your heart. It increases fat in the bloodstream and requires the heart to pump harder. Plus, we know that drinking alcohol can lead to weight gain, which also puts stress on the heart. By quitting drinking, you can enjoy a healthier heart, decreased blood pressure and lowered cholesterol.
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Boost Immune System
Even occasional binge drinking can cause a significant drop in immune system function. If you stop drinking, your immune system will be stronger and able to fight off infections. This is especially important for people who are chronically ill.
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Boost Liver Function
When drinking alcohol, the liver has to work hard to process it. This can take a toll on the organ and cause it to fail, which is why alcoholics sometimes suffer from fatty liver disease or cirrhosis of the liver. Fortunately, the liver can regenerate itself, often within a few months of sobriety.
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Get Better Sleep
People who drink alcohol often have restless nights. This is because alcohol triggers brain activity that prevents people from going into a deep sleep. When you cut alcohol from your life, you can enjoy more restful evenings.
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Make Amends
One of the 12 steps is making amends. As you gain a clearer perspective on yourself and your relationships, you can ask for forgiveness from others. This is a crucial turning point for recovering addicts who can then start new, healthy relationships.
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Stabilize the Mood
As the chemicals in your brain restabilize, your mood will improve as well. Rather than up and down all the time, you can enjoy a more consistent personality and positive attitude. Many people also receive treatment for an underlying mental illness, which also supports good mental health.
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Experience Life
Alcohol numbs the brain. When you stop drinking, the brain can heal itself by normalizing communication between the neurons and neurotransmitters. This helps you “feel” again instead of being numb to life’s experiences.
Are you ready to start enjoying these benefits in your everyday life? Contact Awakenings Treatment Center to discover the many ways we help clients maintain their sobriety at our outpatient mental health facilities.
