Not Excited About Sobriety?
Sobriety is the reward for those who work hard to kick drug cravings, but it can be normal to initially hate the feeling of being sober. People sometimes associate sobriety with withdrawal symptoms like vomiting, stomach pain, or physical anguish. Others use substances to avoid facing difficult situations that are more apparent when they’re sober. Even though the continual use of drugs leads to negative consequences, the prospect of being sober, to some, feels uncertain.
If this describes you or a loved one, you’re not alone. There are ways to achieve sobriety while learning strategies to tackle life’s challenges with minimal discomfort.
Let the addiction recovery experts at Zinnia Health support you along your path to sobriety. Call us at (855) 430-9439 to learn how we can help you through tough times and improve your quality of life.
4 Reasons You Might Hate Being Sober
If you have a substance use disorder, you might hate being sober, and there are many reasons for this. Most are linked to changes in the brain that make you “fiend” for the substance despite wanting to be sober.
Others are caused by the uncertainty of how life will be without the substance or the prospect of facing a difficult problem without the shield of being high.
1. Abrupt Sobriety May Trigger Withdrawal Symptoms
When drugs enter the bloodstream, they bind to various parts of the brain, creating a false peace of mind before leaving the body. Depending on how much substance is in the blood, it could trigger withdrawal symptoms due to a physical dependence on the drug.
This is an unwelcome feeling, especially for those who are self-medicating to escape pain or the anguish of mental health issues.
Symptoms of drug withdrawal include:
- Agitation
- Anxiety
- Insomnia
- Sweating
- Running nose
- Stomach pain
- Vomiting
- Nausea
- Goosebumps
- Dilated pupils
- Diarrhea
Symptoms of alcohol withdrawal include the above symptoms plus:
- Visual disturbances
- Auditory distress
- Tremor
2. Multiple Relapses Might Cause an Aversion to Sobriety
If you’ve tried to kick the habit alone, you might have experienced some of the symptoms listed above.
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, the chronic nature of addiction causes 40 to 60% of people to relapse after an attempt to stop. These individuals might feel helpless or think sobriety is simply out of reach, causing them to hate being sober.
It is important to note that while relapse might fill you with feelings of low self-worth or self-respect, it is a normal part of the recovery journey. Once you are treated for addiction, the relapse rate declines as your brain adapts to sobriety, improving your mental well-being.
3. Drug Abstinence Removes False Merriment
Coming down is a very uncomfortable descent from bliss to reality for some. People often use substances like weed, cocaine, or opiates to get high or have a good time. Getting high creates a fleeting feeling of euphoria that temporarily enhances merriment. This is why drugs are often passed around at clubs, parties, and concerts. Some people even combine drugs to boost their high.
4. Sobriety Provides a Clearer View of Your Life
Shy people might use drugs to help them speak up or participate in activities they’d otherwise be scared to do. Under the influence, they are likely to act impulsively, which others around them interpret as brave. Sober living means allowing yourself to feel apprehension without medicating it.
Why Do I Need to Feel Inebriated?
The main reason people want to feel inebriated is to forget about stressful events. The death of someone close, a significant loss, and traumatic events are all fuel for drug and alcohol use.
Once a drug enters your bloodstream, it binds to neurotransmitters in the brain responsible for sending signals to various body parts. Most of these signals occur in the basal ganglia, a.k.a. the brain’s reward centers. Here, it releases neurochemicals like dopamine and serotonin, instantly calming the user and boosting their self-esteem.
The trauma/dopamine pattern creates the perfect setup for addiction. The more a user takes drugs to escape problems, the more the brain rewards them with dopamine to avoid them. It also causes uncomfortable feelings when the person is not using, which fuels drug-seeking behavior.
If you’re experiencing these feelings and ready to kick substance abuse for good, we’re here to help. Zinnia Health offers residential inpatient, intensive outpatient, and outpatient addiction treatments to equip you with the tools you need to get sober today. Give us a call at (855) 430-9439 anytime to find out the next step.
What Happens if I Avoid Getting Sober?
Unfortunately, avoiding sobriety increases the risk of developing a substance use disorder or addiction. This raises the odds of overdosing or developing serious health complications as a result of misuse.
Using drugs continually over time can also lead to more severe withdrawal symptoms. Some of these withdrawal symptoms are so severe that they must be treated medically and under the supervision of a physician to avoid potentially deadly complications.
Complications of avoiding sobriety include symptoms of an overdose and chronic drug use.
They include:
- Liver failure
- Kidney failure
- Heart failure
- Heart attack
- Brittle bones
- Increase cancer risk
- Permanent brain damage
- Necrosis
- Septic shock
- Uncontrollable blood pressure
- Death
In addition to the above-listed health risks, other risks include:
- Losing your family and friend’s support
- Increased legal complications
- Spending time in jail or prison
- Experiencing overdose
- Attending court-appointed rehab
- Getting into a fatal car accident
- Inability to pay bills or take care of your children
- Having your children taken away
- Inability to keep a job
- Increased risk of injury and bodily harm
In addition to the above-listed signs and symptoms, you also run a higher risk of developing HIV and AIDS, especially with needle drug use. To reduce these risks, you must step towards sobriety by speaking to a professional and discontinuing drug use.
How Can I Get Sober if I Hate the Feeling?
Realizing you have a problem is the first brave step towards achieving sobriety. You can only get help if you understand that addiction is a disease, not a choice. It begins after the first time using drugs and grows in intensity as you continue using.
The most effective approach to your new life as a sober person is to work with a team of professionals. This team should include a psychiatrist or psychologist, your healthcare provider, and drug rehab experts.
Together, this team helps you understand the cause of your drug use and implements evidence-based therapy to help you achieve a sober life. Residential rehabilitation provides all of these experts under one roof. Here, you can safely detox from drugs without the risk of potentially dangerous withdrawal complications.
You will also learn skills to help you cope with everyday stressors and the triggers that cause drug use. Some rehabs even offer family-based therapy sessions to reunite you and your loved ones.
If you or someone you know has a drug addiction, or avoid being sober, Zinnia Health for help. We’ve helped thousands of people with substance use disorders achieve lasting sobriety. Our fully accredited facilities offer medication-assisted detox, one-on-one therapy, and group sessions for those ready to change. Call (855) 430-9439 for more details.