After using drugs for so long, many people start to forget what life was like before they developed an addiction. You may also wonder how much your life will change once you decide to get sober. Worrying about whether your life will be boring or filled with group meetings is normal. Many people who have an addiction also express concern that they may not be able to manage their stress levels or trauma without being able to turn to drugs to numb their pain. If you’ve been wondering what a drug-free life looks like, then you could be worried about having to walk away from your friends or live a life of isolation. You can definitely expect your life to change dramatically after you seek addiction treatment, but the changes will be positive. Taking a look at your current situation can help you to see how dropping negative habits can bring you greater relief from your problems.
Although drugs temporarily make you feel better, they also involve a lot of drawbacks. People who use drugs often report experiencing the following emotions and behaviors.
- Feeling guilty about the impact of their drug use on their loved ones
- Hiding their drug use from others
- Worrying about financial or legal problems
- Fearing an overdose and other health issues
- Having low self-esteem
- Lying or stealing to get money for drugs
If you recognize yourself in any of the above statements, then it is good to know that you can stop many of your worries or guilt-ridden behaviors by working with professionals who won’t judge you for your addiction.
Start Living a More Authentic Life In Sobriety
So, what really happens when you seek drug addiction treatment? The first thing you’ll probably notice is that being surrounded by people who understand what you are going through feels like a big weight lifted off of your shoulders. If you’ve had family members or friends walk out of your life, then it feels good to know that you may be able to start making amends. You’ll also find that being able to talk truthfully about your drug addiction to your counselors and the other people in your treatment program is freeing. Immediately after entering a program, you no longer feel the need to lie or hide your activities.
A drug-free life also includes ending some of the health issues that you may be experiencing. This benefit of quitting drugs may not be instant. At first, you might have some withdrawal symptoms, but these are just temporary. Your treatment team can also make these manageable, which is an advantage compared to trying to quit using drugs on your own. Once those withdrawal symptoms ease up, you’ll notice your appetite coming back and your skin looking clearer. After the drugs completely leave your system, you can even look forward to waking up each day with more energy that matches the level of hope that you now have for a better future.
Clearly, life gets better while you are in treatment, but you might be wondering about what life will be like when you are at home. The beauty of this stage of your recovery is that you get to create the life that you’ve been missing while you’ve been doing drugs. Are you ready to start a new career or get back to work in your favorite field? If so, then your treatment team can guide you towards making decisions that help you reach that goal. If you’re in a serious relationship, then you can work with your partner in family counseling to identify ways to make your bond stronger. You can also renew your relationship with your kids, other family members and sober friends who’ve been waiting for this day.
The best part about life in sobriety is that you won’t have to lie anymore or spend hours being incapable of interacting with others. You’ll still have friends and social opportunities. You’ll just be sober for them all. While you may still need to attend some meetings and counseling sessions after you finish your first phase of treatment, you’ll find that they help you connect with new people who embrace your sobriety. You’ll also still have plenty of time to do all of those things that you had to put off while you were using drugs. Stronger relationships, better health and the freedom to meet your goals are all waiting for you to decide to get sober.
Are you ready to start a drug-free lifestyle? We’ve got what you need to get it done! Give us a call today at 833-846-5669.