7 Benefits of Getting Sober Young
Due to the ease and affordability of alcohol, it’s common for young people to experiment with alcohol in their teenage years.
In fact, youths between the ages of 12 through 20 drink 11% of all alcohol consumed in the United States.
And while the short-term consequences of alcohol consumption on the physical and mental health of these youth can be devasting, it is also important to keep in mind that early drinking increases the likelihood of lifetime alcoholism.
Moreover, the lifespan of an alcoholic is typically 24-28 years shorter than that of a non-alcoholic.
In other words, problem drinking in youth can lead to a lifetime of addiction and premature death.
Conversely, getting sober young can have positive impacts on the life of youth, setting them up for a happier and more successful future.
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What are 7 Benefits of Getting Sober Young?
Better Health
A sober lifestyle is shown to lower blood pressure, reduce unhealthy body weight, provide clearer skin and eyes, lower cholesterol, reduce risk of stroke, and reduce the probability of developing several cancers, including liver cancer, breast cancer, esophageal cancer, colon cancer, rectal cancer, and more.
Quitting alcohol also improves energy levels and cardiovascular health, resulting in a stronger, more vibrant, body and mind.
Choosing a sober lifestyle at a young age can allow a young adult to enjoy these benefits throughout their life.
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Better Sleep
When we sleep, our body repairs our tissue and muscles, processes our memories, removes waste from our cells and releases hormones that help regulate our mood and appetite during the day.
But while many people drink a “night cap” before bed in order to rest, alcohol actually interferes with the body getting quality sleep, by interrupting your circadian rhythm and blocking REM sleep.
It can also lead to snoring and sleep apnea.
This lack of sleep can lower your immune system, encourage overeating, decrease sociability, and even make you less attractive.
However, getting and staying sober will improve your sleep, and improve your life, for years to come.
Improved Relationships
While not all of your friends will appreciate your sober lifestyle, many relationships improve when drinking stops.
Nobody wants to be the embarrassing or unreliable friend who drinks too much, and individuals who drink excessively often struggle to express their emotions – resulting in acting out, fighting, crying, “drunk texts,” and other drama.
But when you stop drinking, you will become a better communicator, and will enjoy a lot less chaos in your relationships.
Your friends will thank you!
Clearer Thinking
Feeling hazy? Trouble remembering the weekend?
Alcohol is a depressant and slows down the parts of the brain that process new information and memory.
As a result, those who drink heavily often feel foggy and confused.
Who wants to forget their teenage or college years?
When you stop drinking, your thinking begins to clear and you will begin to get your life, and memories, back.
More Money
An average bottle of wine can cost roughly $16 and a 12-pack of Bud Light can cost over $10.
What about a night out with friends or a party?
Get ready to spend $80 to $100, including multiple drinks and food.
At the end of the year, a regular drinking habit can amount to thousands of dollars spent on alcohol.
But, the moment you stop drinking is the moment you stop spending money on alcohol, potentially saving you a small fortune.
And whether you spend that money of clothes, rent, or savings, you will be making a better and more positive choice than spending it on a dangerous, and unhealthy, habit.
Improved Safety
Research shows that over 50% of all violent crimes involve alcohol consumption by the perpetrator, the victim, or both.
Studies show that one person dies every fifty minutes from drunk driving crashes in the U.S., and the FBI estimates that over one million drivers were arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol or narcotics in 2018 – that is roughly one arrest for every 227 licensed drivers in America.
Getting sober at a young age can help protect you from some of life’s dangers, helping you stay safer, longer.
A Better Reputation
Embarrassing photos online? Waking up to a text or tweet you forgot? What about a court date for public intoxication or fighting?
Excessive drinking can lead to a lot of trouble and bad behavior that you never intended – all of which can harm your reputation, your career, and your self-esteem.
But the moment you stop drinking you can start getting your life under control, and leave your party reputation behind.
Effects of 7 Benefits Getting Sober Young
When you decide to get sober at a young age it is possible that some of your friends, or college roommates, won’t understand.
But real friends and caring roommates will respect that choice.
And should you have already started to struggle with addiction, you may find that you will need to seek professional assistance. However, there is no stigma in getting the help you need.
For many young people, the day they enter rehabilitation is the day they begin a new life.
This is not to say that recovery is easy – you will have to face some difficult questions about your self-esteem and your behaviors.
However, you will also meet caring people who want to help you build resilience and improve your life, for yourself, your family, and your future.
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Mental Illness and 7 Benefits of Getting Sober Young
One of the greatest barriers to drug and alcohol abuse recovery is the role of mental illness.
This can be even more true for young people, who can be susceptible to peer pressure, self-esteem issues, and feelings of anxiety and depression.
As we’ve mentioned, alcohol use can have significant consequence for the brain chemistry, and for those who are predisposed to addiction, these chemical changes can happen faster and more dramatically.
A depressant drug and for those who struggle with addictive tendencies, alcohol can result in depression, anger, insomnia, mood changes, isolation, and even suicidal thoughts.
These negative emotions can damage relationships, leading to isolation, and resulting in shame and guilt, all of which increases the desire to numb emotional pain through alcohol.
But the cycle can be broken.
With professional treatment that addresses both the physical and psychological impact of alcohol abuse, young people struggling with addiction can achieve, and maintain, the sobriety they seek.
Treatment and 7 Benefits Getting Sober Young
You may begin your treatment in a residential facility where you will meet other young adults working toward sobriety.
There, the first step in your treatment program will likely be a medical detoxification.
Detox helps with removal of alcohol from the body, helping to free you from physical and emotional discomforts that can provide barriers to your success.
During alcohol recovery, you will learn to develop healthy coping skills and you will be assisted in addressing underlying mental health issues, such as low self-esteem and depression, that may have lead to your addiction.
Quality treatment centers, such as Resurgence Behavioral Health, will offer a variety of programs and therapies to help you find the options that work best for you. These often include:
- One to One Counseling
- Family / Relationship Counseling
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
- Group Therapy
- Inpatient Alcohol Rehabilitation
- 12-Step Programs
- Nutrition Therapy
- Non 12-Step Programs
- Yoga
- Music / Art Therapy
- Long-term Rehabilitation Arrangements
- Aftercare
- And More
You will also work with a caring team to develop a treatment plan for your recovery, which will include meaningful strategies to help you replace unhealthy thoughts and behaviors with affirming alternatives.
Though it may seem overwhelming, it is possible to achieve sobriety and to live a happy, alcohol free life.
And Resurgence Behavioral Health can help you get there.
Payment Options
Resurgence Behavior Health is here for you.
We accept most PPO insurance and private forms of payment for treatment, and we will communicate with your insurance provider on your behalf, taking some of the stress out of your recovery.
Put your mind at ease, and let our team help you achieve your goals.
Just call Resurgence at 855-458-0050 and let the next chapter of your life begin.
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How to Get Help
We know that recovery can be a scary process.
But at Resurgence Behavioral Health, you will feel at home from the moment you walk through the doors.
Our beautiful residential centers are specifically designed to let you focus on your recovery, and to help you relax and connect with others.
With locations in Costa Mesa, Fountain Valley, Huntington Beach and Fullerton Hills, as well as a beautiful Outpatient Campus, your recovery is closer than you think.
We are ready to assist with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to treat underlying thought patterns, prescriptions and counseling to help with depression, group therapies to help you build connections, and many more strategies to help you achieve the recovery you deserve.
Call Resurgence today and say “yes,” to a bright new future.
