When you first get sober, you don’t immediately know how to cope with challenges without substances, set boundaries, or any of the other things that often come with longer term sobriety. But once you get sober, you are able to do the work.
Your brain and body will start healing once you quit drinking or using—so even if you did nothing else, you would likely experience large-scale change. For instance, I was severely allergic to animals during active addiction. After about six months sober, those allergies went away and I now happily have a cat.
I didn’t do anything to make that happen beyond being sober—my body just healed—but sobriety itself is a huge deal. The brain, too, is significantly altered by addiction. It can heal in a major way in recovery.
According to the Recovery Research Institute, the “number of days abstinent from alcohol [is] associated with improved executive functioning, larger cerebellar volumes, and improved short-term memory.” 14 months after people quit meth, their brain’s dopamine levels—which are significantly disrupted by addiction—are nearly back to normal.
That said, many of the changes you’ll notice in sobriety will likely be the direct result of work you’ve done. There’s an idea that when you get sober, emotionally you’re the age you were when you first started drinking or using. Being in recovery gives you a chance to grow immensely in ways that are difficult when you are in active addiction. Recovery also makes it more possible to process trauma and address any co-occurring mental health disorders.
It’s much easier to commit to changes in routine when drugs or alcohol aren’t your main motivation. We also often learn to set boundaries and build healthier relationships.
When you get sober, you start the process of learning who you are without substances. Over time, many sober people take on hobbies—or even jobs—they might never have considered before. Learning about interests and engaging in meaningful activities is a huge change for people accustomed to spending much of their time drinking or using.
Take your time making changes and remember that recovery is an ongoing process; there’s no rush. When I first got sober, I set too many goals and quickly felt burnt out. I’ve learned that working towards larger goals means taking incremental steps—and that even in long-term recovery, you continue to grow.
If you are struggling with a substance use or mental health disorder, there is help and hope. TruHealing Centers offers high-quality treatment for addiction and mental health disorders in facilities across the country. Our staff—many of whom are in recovery themselves—will help you build lasting change. To learn more, call an admissions specialist at 410-593-0005.