For an alcoholic it is never easy trying to quit drink. Serious alcoholics will often face both physical and mental problems as they try to wean themselves off alcohol. While quitting may be hard, those who are successful will often find themselves overawed by the changes that occur in their life. So what changes can you expect?
Making up for lost time.
One of the most instant changes newly sober people discover is the amount of extra time they have on their hands. No longer are mornings spent in bed nursing hang overs. Afternoons and evenings, which may previously have been spent in the pub, can now be spent doing other things such as taking your family on an outing or rediscovering a passion for sport. Very quickly you will notice how much more productive you can become in these newly discovered extra hours.
Become more energetic.
Many alcoholics who give up drinking often find themselves with an abundance of energy which previously they never had. When alcohol is consumed it slows down the function of the central nervous system. When imbibed in large enough quantities alcohol prevents certain signals sent by your brain from reaching other parts of your body. This is often why inebriated people slur their speech, have blurred or altered vision, or become uncoordinated and stagger as they walk. As your body readjusts to sobriety you will find your natural energy will return and you'll feel great.
Magically lose weight.
Many newly sober people are often surprised at just how often friends or family will comment on how good they are looking since giving up drinking. Often this is because you've lost the beer belly or the alcoholic puffiness around your face. Alcohol is filled with empty calories. There are around 56 calories in a shot of spirits, 89 calories in a glass of white wine, and a massive 250 calories in a pint of export strength lager. As an alcoholic will often drink far more than they should so the extra calories consumed through drinking alone can prove to be quite significant.
On this alcohol blog you can read about just how much weight can be lost by giving up drinking.
Save yourself money.
Even if you were only going to a bar for a couple of drinks every night after work, this quickly adds up. Perhaps you were even generous enough to buy a few extra drinks for friend or colleagues that you were trying to impress? When you stop drinking you will be amazed at the money you save by not buying alcoholic drinks. Stopping drinking does not mean that you no longer need to go to the bar altogether. You can still go out to bars or pubs but by buying only soft drinks, which are usually 2 to 3 times cheaper than alcoholic drinks, you can see how quickly savings will occur.
Finally newly sober people are often encouraged to take some of the money they have saved and spend it on a treat or luxury item. By treating yourself to something you wouldn't normally, you remind yourself of the many positive benefits that have occurred since quitting alcohol.
James Frith is an expert in the field of alcoholism and tea.
Over the course of a decade James managed to hold down a successful career as a tea importer before no longer being able to hide his addiction. Having explored various treatment options, and regained his sobriety, he has once again rebuilt his career and hopes to help others do the same.
You can read about James's alcoholism and the methods he uses to remain sober on his alcoholic blog