The Effects of Substances and a Sobriety Glow Up

Glow-ups are proof you can improve your looks or life. You are achieving the after-look takes time and dedication—the key to looking good and feeling good lies in how you treat yourself. You could spend money on spa days, massages, or trainers, but they aren’t the answer to your search. Healthy life choices are the answer.

You make many decisions throughout your day. Some of those decisions, like becoming sober, have a meaningful impact on how you look and feel. Decisions that involve lifestyle choices and healthy habits can improve more than your physical appearance; they can help you glow from the inside out.

Substances That Hurt Your Inner Glow

Substances affect how you feel and look. If you want to change how you look, you can learn about your addiction and its effects on your body.

Alcohol

• Excessive drinking or dependence on alcohol can increase your risk of many health disorders. Alcohol addiction harms your endocrine and digestive glands.
• Too much alcohol can lead to an abnormal increase in digestive enzymes in your pancreas. Your pancreas also controls your sugar levels. The pancreas produces insulin and regulates its levels.
• Your liver is also affected by alcohol consumption. The liver breaks down and removes harmful materials from the body, including alcohol. When you consume alcohol over a long period, the process is negatively affected. The disruption in ridding the body of toxins can cause liver inflammation, damage, or cancer.
• The brain and central nervous system are harmed by excessive alcohol intake as well. Over time your hands and feet can begin to tingle because the nervous system is damaged. Your brain undergoes chemical changes reflected by a decreased ability to control speech patterns, emotions, judgment, or memory.

When your organs are damaged, it can show in your physical appearance. Some of the most noticeable signs of alcohol damage to the body are:

• Bloodshot eyes
• Dry skin, loss of hair, or brittle nails
• Broken capillaries, especially on your face or nose
• Yellowing of your eyes or skin

Drugs

Different substances have different effects on your internal and external health.

Marijuana

Marijuana consists of the dried leaves, flowers, stems, and seeds of the Cannabis sativa or indica plant. The cannabis plants contain THC, a mind-altering chemical, which can negatively affect the mind and the body.

Some of the effects on the brain are:

• Slowed or impaired body movements
• Changes in mood
• A decrease in the ability to make decisions or think

Physical and mental health issues from marijuana use include:

• Paranoia
• Hallucinations
• Respiratory problems
• Increase the aging process of skin
• Increase the risk of rosacea or psoriasis
• Decrease in collagen production

Methamphetamine

Methamphetamine is an immensely addictive drug that affects the central nervous system.

Some of the psychological effects are:

• Anxiety
• Confusion
• Changes in mood
• Hallucinations
• Delusions

A few of the physical effects are:

• Tooth decay or loss
• Skin sores
• Weight loss

Prescription Opioids

Prescription opioid abuse is a national public health issue. The medicines included in the opioid class are:

• Opiates
• Synthetics
• Oxycodone or Oxycontin

Some of the effects on the brain and body:

• Nausea
• Slowed breathing
• Confusion
• Euphoria

A few physical effects of opioids are:

• Allergic reactions that cause skin rashes or itching
• Dry skin
• Weight gain

Glow Up Lifestyle

The decision to give up a substance is courageous and scary. You chose to help yourself achieve better mental and physical health, but you also made a lifestyle choice that can leave you wondering, “now what?” Sobriety and recovery leave chunks of time you once used to drink or use free.

Once you stop using substances, your body can begin to heal. If you want to increase your commitment to healing your body and mind, you can take a few steps towards recovery:

• Detox

Detoxification of your mind and body begins in a detox center. A medically supervised detoxification process decreases the risk of harmful side effects. In some cases, like detoxing from alcohol, it can prevent potentially fatal reactions to the withdrawal of a substance.

• Addiction Treatment

Whether you enter an inpatient or outpatient program, you can learn the underlying causes of your addiction. While you are in treatment, you can also learn healthy coping techniques including, proper nutrition, yoga, or meditation. Use treatment as a way to discover or experiment with new activities.

• Aftercare or Meetings

Post-treatment care can include regular attendance at meetings or staying involved in your treatment center’s aftercare program.

• Change Your “Faces and Places”

Your environment can affect your recovery process. If your environment doesn’t include a positive support system or a safe place to live, talk with your sponsor or therapist to learn how to create a healthy living environment.

• Believe in Yourself

You decided to live a healthy, substance-free lifestyle. You sought help through detox and treatment. You are capable of maintaining your progress and reaching out to others when you need help.

Glowing up is more than an after picture; it is the proof of your belief in your health and well-being. Leaving substances behind and replacing them with healthy choices can help your body and mind heal.

When people post before and after pictures of their recovery, they celebrate their physical and emotional health. Substance addiction is the underlying cause of a wide range of physical issues. Your choice to enter detox is the start of a physical and physiological healing process. Throughout the process, you will notice that how you feel and how you look changes. A healthy lifestyle as a result of addiction treatment and mental health therapy creates an inner glow. Self-confidence, belief in yourself, and a continued promise to recovery are cornerstones to your well-being. Alta Centers can help you in your recovery journey. Alta centers is inpatient rehab, detox center and dual diagnosis treatment center. Our belief that recovery is a process that can help you lead your best life starts with treating you as an individual. Let us show you what recovery can do for you. Call us at (888) 202-2583.