If you’ve ever turned to alcohol with hopes of becoming more outgoing and social, you’re not alone. Many who struggle with alcohol abuse started drinking in the first place due to feeling shy, awkward, or anxious in social settings. But what many don’t realize is that quitting drinking can actually improve your social life, and repair relationships that may have suffered on behalf of alcoholism.
Nobody should have to quit drinking on their own without help and support, including you. Recovery is a long and rewarding process with many benefits along the way. Here are three social benefits associated with quitting drinking and overcoming alcohol addiction.
1. Gain Total Control of Your Actions
Intoxication can make you say and do things you normally wouldn’t do when sober. In most cases, drinking can lower your inhibitions and influence you to engage in negative, destructive behaviors. For instance, you might say hurtful things to loved ones, or commit crimes that land you in legal trouble.
Quitting drinking allows you to regain total control of your actions and emotions so you can avoid doing things you might regret later on. You’ll also have a clear head at all times so you can remember things you say and do, and hold yourself fully accountable for your emotions and behaviors.
2. Repair Relationships with Family and Friends
Alcohol abuse can cause you to neglect the people you care about the most. Some of your family members and friends may no longer trust or respect you due to certain problems you may have caused while intoxicated. These people may even be avoiding you for the sake of also avoiding toxic interactions, violence, and similar harmful behaviors.
Seeking treatment for alcohol abuse shows your loved ones that you’re dedicated to becoming healthier and improving your life. After you’ve completed alcohol rehab and managed to maintain sobriety, friends and family may be more willing to spend time with the newly sober you. If you lost custody of your children or fell out of touch with your partner due to problems with drinking, alcohol rehab can offer you the support and education you need to mend and repair these problems.
3. Excel in the Workplace
Alcohol abuse can cause you to miss work or suffer from low performance due to being hungover, intoxicated, or irritable. This can interfere with promotions, raises, and your reputation in the workplace, especially if drinking made you say or do things that were offensive or inappropriate.
Quitting drinking and overcoming alcohol abuse can help you clear your head, and re-enter the workplace with the self-esteem and confidence you need to excel and move up the ranks. Succeeding in the workplace can help you feel more fulfilled, and more eager to accomplish goals associated with your career and overall well-being.
If mental health conditions such as social anxiety and depression are fueling your drinking problem, understand that alcohol detox centers can treat you for these conditions at the same time as alcohol abuse. Suffering from a mental health disorder and alcohol abuse at the same time is known as dual diagnosis, and is commonly treated at most alcohol detox and rehab centers.
1 Comment
Why call it Alcohol abuse and not Alcoholism? That makes it sound like less then a disease and more like something that can be controlled.