A Story of Restoration: Quitting Alcohol
My life was in shambles. I had lost three different jobs within the year. My spouse had left the house and taken our children. My health was going downhill quickly, and I couldn’t cope. For the past five years, I’ve struggled severely with alcohol abuse.
At first, I didn’t want to admit there was a problem. I drank a few glasses of wine in the evenings, but that would never be enough. I had a fifth of whiskey hidden in my sock drawer so nobody would know. Or at least, I thought they didn’t know.
Looking back, I’m sure they knew. My children probably even knew. They were young, but they noticed everything. They noticed when I started shaking because I couldn’t get a drink. They saw when I disappeared at soccer games to drink in the bathroom stall. They knew. They all knew. I knew they knew, but I didn’t want to admit it.
When my family left our home, I was in denial. I thought everything was okay, but it wasn’t. I had problems before, but now they were worse because of my alcohol addiction. I needed to fix them and get better. My primary motivator to stop was my family. But my health should have been important too.
If you have similar feelings, reach out to Texas Recovery Center at 844.230.5931 to learn more about their alcohol addiction treatment program in Scurry, TX.
Background of My Health
As I mentioned before, my alcohol use disorder significantly affected my health over the years. My brain felt cloudy, and I would always forget things. My stomach was always hurting, and I gained a decent amount of weight. I also struggled to retain information.
It was tough to keep up, and those problems scratched the surface.
It was hard, feeling miserable all the time. I didn’t want to get out of bed most days, and when I did, I felt like I was dragging the weight of another person with me. To feel better, it was common for me to drink early in the morning before anyone woke up. When my spouse left for work, I would disguise my alcohol as other beverages so my kids wouldn’t know.
It seems desperate now that I talk about it, but going without alcohol was tough. Trust me, I’ve tried many times but always gave in. The withdrawal symptoms were too much for me to deal with, as well as the responsibilities of caring for my children. How could I manage if I was so sick from withdrawal symptoms?
I was already aware of my alcohol addiction and grew weary of my drinking patterns. I was dissatisfied and lonely. Nobody I knew could help me, so I had to do it myself. I went on the internet to look for an alcohol treatment facility.
I knew I could do it, but I realized I needed help to see it through. So, I contacted Texas Recovery Center about their alcohol treatment program and started my journey toward a better life. After I finally took that plunge and got through my treatment program, I noticed the benefits of giving up alcohol. I want to share some of them with you here.
Physical Benefits
One of the most physically obvious benefits of my quitting drinking was my weight loss. I’d always struggled with my eating habits, but my drinking worsened. With less control over myself due to blacking out so much, I would overeat, which caused my weight to balloon. After getting sober, I could manage my eating habits better and maintain a healthy weight.
Another one I noticed would have to be how much better my sleeping habits became. Before I was up late a lot of the time drinking, or if I went to bed at a decent time, I’d wake up many times throughout the night. Now, I can sleep comfortably through the night with no interruptions whatsoever.
Overall, I’ve just felt much better physically. My body seems to be healing itself as much as it can. My alcohol use disorder has opened my eyes to how much the things you put in your body can affect it. I know I’m caring for my body and doing what’s best for me.
Mental Benefits
When I was struggling with alcohol addiction, my brain always felt like there was a thick fog in it. I blacked out quite a bit during my time with alcohol abuse and, therefore, also struggled with remembering things.
I was constantly suffering from issues with retaining new information. After I quit drinking, it was like a vast wind took over and whisked away the fog dwelling in my brain. Now, I can remember everything. The clarity I got from stopping my alcohol misuse was surprising. I didn’t realize how bad it had gotten until I was able to reset it all.
Social Benefits
For the longest time, I felt alone. Even when I wasn’t, I felt like I was. This resulted in me developing some severe social anxiety. Sometimes, I felt like I needed to drink to be “fun.” When that was not the case, I took my self-doubts and projected them onto others.
After I stopped drinking, I could reform some old friendships and create new ones. I also went on outings with my friends, and for the first time in a long time, I didn’t feel like I needed to drink to be fun. I have always been fun, and I’m glad I no longer let my self-doubts control me like that.
Home Environment Benefits
When you have a spouse and children, creating a safe and comfortable home environment is vital for everyone in the home. Children are susceptible to their environments and need stability. As you can imagine, a parent with an alcohol addiction can have a lot of difficulties creating that kind of environment. After becoming sober, the weight of guilt was lifted off my shoulders. Ensuring that my children feel safe and aren’t exposed to situations that could cause them harm is one of the best benefits for them and me.
Financial Benefits
One of the last benefits I saw was the financial benefits. I could save money and go on vacation with my spouse and children without spending so much on alcohol. Saving money has also been something I’ve been proud of. It relieves stress and worries when you’ve saved enough money for emergencies.
Get Help and Support from Texas Recovery Center Today
I know at times, it may feel like you are the only person with problems like this. I know that I did. I isolated myself because I didn’t know what else to do and ended up making things worse. I knew I needed help, so I took the opportunity I had and got the help I needed.
By quitting drinking, I was able to get myself healthy and also brought my family back together, finally. It’s been a long road for me, and I’m sure for you, too. You don’t have to suffer in silence. Alcohol addiction can be hazardous, so it’s best to speak up when you’re struggling.
Call Texas Recovery Center today at 844.230.5931 to take the plunge into a world you deserve and are capable of. It’s time to take control of your life and your health. If I did it, you could do it, too. Even if you don’t believe in yourself, you should know that I do.
FAQs
How much weight will I lose if I quit drinking?
The amount of weight you lose after quitting drinking will vary from person to person. Some factors affecting your possible weight loss include what kind of alcoholic beverage you drink, how often you drink, how much you drink, and your other habits, such as eating and exercising.
What are the benefits of cutting out alcohol?
There are many benefits of cutting out alcohol. The best benefits would include those associated with your health. Remember, alcohol is a toxic substance that will negatively affect your body. You will improve your health overall once you stop drinking alcohol. Additionally, quitting alcohol allows you to mend those important relationships you may have lost while struggling with alcohol misuse.
Will I lose belly fat if I stop drinking alcohol?
You could lose belly fat if you stop drinking alcohol. Alcohol has what are called “empty calories.” This means that the alcohol doesn’t have many nutrients and will likely turn the calories from alcohol into fat. Once you stop drinking, the calorie intake will be less, and you could lose weight.
Does skin clear up after quitting drinking?
Skin could clear up after quitting drinking. When you stop drinking, your liver is under much less stress, so your skin could be left looking clearer. Alcohol also causes inflammation, leading to various other issues such as acne.
