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Reasons to Stay Sober

In spite of the short-term, euphoric feelings that drugs and alcohol can induce, intoxication brings with it a host of undesirable effects including physical and emotional problems, especially in long-term substance abuse situations. Often, mental clarity and physical well-being are just some of the factors that motivate reformed addicts to stay sober.

  1. Health

    • Alcohol and drug use can affect your body in a number of ways. For example, males may experience impotence or even face sterility in long-term abuse situations. Binge drinking and drug abuse can cause heart, liver and brain damage. In some cases, the damage is irreparable, especially with respect to brain damage that occurs as a result of excessive alcohol and drug consumption. Drug and alcohol abuse can also cause cancer in addition to hypertension and increased risks of heart attacks and strokes.

    Relationships

    • Continual alcohol and drug use can drastically affect your behavior, particularly with respect to how you treat loved ones in your life. Certain drugs and alcohol can alter even mild temperaments into paranoid, hostile or aggressive ones. Additionally, a sober partner may find it difficult to relate or connect on an intimate level with a spouse who is continually intoxicated or high. Impaired judgment also affects professional relationships, and work performance, reliability and efficiency levels often suffer as a result of alcohol and drug abuse.

    Brain Damage

    • Binge drinking and drug use can cause memory loss, lowered concentration abilities and problem-solving shortfalls. Depressed moods and altered mindsets are also common after euphoric episodes, and long-term abuse can result in lasting brain damage. Negative mental effects are even greater for a young person who uses drugs and alcohol because his brain may be permanently damaged before necessary development is allowed to take place.

    Money

    • Drugs and alcohol have a price tag so financial situations are often severely compromised as a result of drug and alcohol problems. For example, a sober partner may have to work overtime or take on a second job just to make ends meet due to a spouse who drinks or uses drugs on a regular basis. Mentally and physically addicted individuals often end up lying or stealing to satisfy their cravings that typically worsen with time.

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