No more hangovers! That’s right; you don’t have to deal with the negative effects of alcohol anymore after you find total freedom from alcoholism! Perhaps you’ve thought about changing your relationship with alcohol. This probably happens every time you have a hangover that’s so severe it makes you promise God that you will never drink again if you can just get through this one. Eventually, though, there always seems to be a next time.
4 Things You Think You’ll Miss… But Won’t
When the hangover goes away, you likely think about all the things you would miss if you quit drinking, such as:
- Feeling buzzed on a night out
- Relaxing and enjoying that first drink
- Using alcohol to loosen up inhibitions and be more sociable
- Easing stress or anxiety
The truth is, alcohol doesn’t deliver what it promises. Until you are aware of that, it is probably pretty hard to understand that there is really nothing to miss about drinking.
10 Things You Really Won’t Miss Once You Quit Drinking
1. Hangovers
Yes, this is the main thing for most of us. Feeling like you are dying and that every movement makes you want to vomit is a feeling you could probably do without. Don’t forget the feeling of guilt every time you drink again even though you promised yourself that you wouldn’t. There is nothing better than waking up feeling “normal” every day and saying goodbye to hangovers once and for all.
2. Lying about how much you drink
Have you ever lied at the liquor store about what the liquor was for? Of course, it’s for a party, not just for you. Did you open a can of beer with your family and pretend it was the first of the day? You lied to family, friends, and yourself. Have you ever lied to the police after being pulled over? Being free from the hiding and sneaking around can make you feel so liberated, and you’ll love not having to keep your stories straight.
3. Always thinking about drinking
It’s a great feeling to free your mind to think about something else besides drinking. Do you worry about how much alcohol is in the house? Should you buy extra for the weekend? Have you skipped buying food so you would have enough money to buy alcohol? Did you worry about whether it’s too early to have a drink, or whether you could have just one and still make it to work or class on time?
4. The uncomfortable feelings of shame, regret, and anxiety
Anxiety and negative self-esteem are both common among drinkers because alcohol adds fuel to your negative thoughts and feelings about yourself. You will enjoy not living with feelings of self-doubt, fear, and shame.
5. Wasting time
When you’re drinking, you probably can’t imagine a weekend without alcohol. What would you do with all that time? Maybe you wonder what happened during the hours you don’t remember during the last time you were drunk. When you’re sober, you can enjoy getting out of bed before 3 p.m. without alcohol controlling you. You can make plans and carry them out without being sidetracked by an ice-cold beer or the pop of a wine cork.
6. Disappointing your family
A lot of family activities involve alcohol. Very often, pool parties, wedding receptions, barbecues, and other family gatherings include alcohol. The problem is, when you have a drinking problem, your fun family activity can be derailed when you overdo it. Many people believe that the happy vibe and holiday spirit will be ruined if alcohol isn’t consumed. In reality, happiness is still there; it occurs naturally.
7. Not sleeping properly
Blacking out isn’t sleeping. In fact, alcohol causes a lower quality of sleep. Do you pass out and then frequently wake up to wonder what happened and what time it is? Do you drag yourself out of bed and try desperately to freshen up and make it to work or school, hoping nobody will notice? They will. Ending hangovers is good, but getting a good night’s sleep is great.
8. Wasting money
How do you feel when you wake up after a night out and look in your wallet? You probably wonder what you spent all of your money on. Nobody likes to waste money, but that is what happens when you drink. When you quit drinking, you can remember where you spent your money and actually have something to show for it.
9. Embarrassing yourself
This is a huge negative in the life of a drinker. Have you ever said or done things you regretted later? Did you remember them on your own or did other people have to tell you? Your reputation can take a nosedive and you’ll probably have to apologize or make up an excuse… again.
Now, think about going out and having fun without alcohol. You are in control of your body (and your mouth) and will remember the good times without feeling regretful for saying something you didn’t mean.
10. Unexplained injuries
It’s very possible that, while you were embarrassing yourself, you did something that caused an injury. You have probably awakened many times to find fresh bruises or scratches — and that’s if you’re lucky and don’t need to go to the hospital or don’t injure an innocent person with your actions.
Along with no more hangovers, waking up feeling better than when you went to bed is a definite benefit of not drinking.
When Is Alcohol Use a Problem?
Moderate drinking isn’t usually a cause for concern for most adults. However, if your consumption gets out of control, you might end up on a hazardous path to addiction. According to a 2019 survey by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), an estimated 14.5 million Americans aged 12 and older have an alcohol use disorder (AUD), also called alcoholism. Knowing each stage can motivate you to get help before a drinking problem turns into dependence and addiction.
Stage 1: Experimental drinking, occasional abuse, and binge-drinking
Drinkers in this stage may be new to drinking and are testing their limits with alcohol. This is commonly seen in young adults.
Stage 2: An increase in drinking
You left the experimental stage when your alcohol consumption became more frequent. Regular use is different from moderate drinking. For example, a moderate drinker might like to pair a glass of wine with a meal, but a regular drinker uses alcohol to feel good in general.
Stage 3: Problem drinking
Uncontrolled, frequent alcohol abuse eventually leads to problem drinking. Although any type of alcohol abuse is a problem, the term “problem drinker” implies that the drinker has started to experience the negative effects of their habit more frequently.
Stage 4: Dependence
Alcoholism has two phases: dependence and addiction. It’s possible not to be addicted but to be dependent on alcohol. Dependence appears after the problem drinking stage.
Stage 5: Addiction and Alcoholism
The final stage of alcoholism is addiction. By now, you don’t drink for pleasure. You have a physical and psychological need to drink.
No More Hangovers — Ending the Addiction
Not having hangovers is certainly a benefit of not drinking. Getting your life back on track, mending relationships, and rebuilding your reputation are even better. And the benefits don’t end there.
At Lifetime Recovery, we know a lot about alcohol use disorder and have many years of experience treating it. We can help you reconnect with your family while you reconnect with yourself. Our intensive treatment programs will help you achieve the dreams and goals you probably thought you would have to give up. We won’t give up on you or let you give up on yourself. Contact us today for more information.
