Difference Between Abstinence and Sobriety

The psychological inability to stop engaging in an activity or consuming a drug, substance or chemical, commonly referred to as addiction has been a menace since ages ago. Addictive activities such as gambling, working and even eating can be detrimental to a person’s overall health, not to mention harm caused to other people.

Drug and substance abuse such as alcohol, heroin, cocaine, and opioids leads to addiction, a condition that affects a large population in the entire world. Various measures have been put to place to control this including rehab centers, counseling, and even addiction prescription medicines. Abstinence and sobriety are the objectives of these transformative steps. Although used simultaneously, the two are different in various ways.

What is Abstinence?

Used in relation to food, alcohol, sex, and drugs, and this is a voluntary restraint from engaging or indulging in activities or substances. People may abstain for various reasons such as health, social, religious, psychological, family, traditional reasons and even change in preferences. This is a self-chosen decision and is not forcefully enforced.  Abstinence can cause withdrawal of symptoms, which is the body’s way of re-adjusting to functioning without something.

What is Sobriety?

Used in relation to alcohol and other drugs, this is a condition whereby a person does not have measurable effects or levels of alcohol or other drugs. Achieved through sustained abstinence, sobriety is in most cases considered as an achievement of life balance. It can be tested by the use of a breathalyzer or field sobriety tests such as the one-leg stand test and the alphabet recitation test, depending on set law enforcement.

Similarities between Abstinence and Sobriety

• Both refer to restrain against food, alcohol, sex, and drugs

Differences between Abstinence and Sobriety

Definition

Abstinence refers to a voluntary restraint from engaging or indulging in activities or substances. On the other hand, sobriety refers to a condition whereby a person does not have measurable effects or levels of alcohol or other drugs.

Test

While abstinence cannot be tested, sobriety can be tested by the use of a breathalyzer or field sobriety tests.

Lifestyle

While abstinence majors on a lifestyle centered on living drug-free without factoring in other aspects of life, sobriety focuses on a drug-free lifestyle while also taking into consideration of other aspects of life.

Abstinence vs. Sobriety: Comparison Table

Summary of Abstinence vs. Sobriety

Abstinence refers to a voluntary restraint from engaging or indulging in activities or substances. It, however only focuses on a drug-free lifestyle without factoring in other aspects of life. On the other hand, sobriety refers to a condition whereby a person does not have measurable effects or levels of alcohol or other drugs and can be tested by the use of a breathalyzer or field sobriety tests. It not only focuses on a drug-free lifestyle but also takes into consideration of other aspects of life. Both, however, go a long way in curbing drug and substance abuse.

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