Lifeline Connections

Health Benefits of Recovery

There are many benefits of recovery with the healthiest being free of substances. However, many people may not look at the long term health benefits of recovery. Substances put such a strain on your body physically and emotionally that it doesn’t take the body long to begin to heal and experience the effects.

Improved sleep

Alcohol in particular can reduce REM sleep and cause disruption in sleeping overall. Recent studies have also found that a link between long-term alcohol abuse and chronic sleep problems. It can create a cycle for the user to increase the amount they drink to fall asleep. Once asleep the person doesn’t sleep well and needs more caffeine during the day to function. This cycle continues to repeat itself and get worse over time.

Weight loss

Many people begin to lose weight after they stop using. This is because their body’s metabolism begins to re-regulate itself and the intestinal tract can re-generate the enzymes needed to properly digest food. Each person’s experience varies based on how they eat, but when a person drinks they tend to gravitate toward unhealthy food and bigger portions.

Decreased cancer risk

According to the CDC the less you drink, smoke or use illicit drugs, the lower your risk is for cancer. The most common types of cancer related to these are:

• Lung
• Mouth and throat
• Larynx
• Colon and rectum
• Esophagus
• Liver
• Breast (in women)

Better relationships

When a person is using they generally surround themselves with the same types of people. Meaning that people that are using tend to make irrational decisions and don’t have healthy boundaries. They may borrow money and never return it, promising they will or they may say inappropriate things about someone you care about. When you stop using, these people tend to become a memory. That’s because people in recovery respect themselves and those around them. They no longer want to be around negativity and disrespect.

Everyone begins their recovery journey for different reasons but if you or someone you know could benefit from this list of added benefits and needs help, call us. We have a compassionate team of medical professionals here to help. You can visit Lifelineconnections.org or call (360) 397-8246 for more information.

Sources:

https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/risk/alcohol/alcohol-fact-sheet

https://www.sleepfoundation.org/articles/how-alcohol-affects-quality-and-quantity-sleep