30 Good Reasons to Remain Drug-Free

By Pat Olsen

1. Your liver will thank you, since it won't have to work so hard to rid your blood of toxins. To think that drugs won't impede how your internal organs function is to deny reality.
2. You'll reduce the chances that your teeth will rot. Black teeth are not very attractive and the dentist bills can be a killer.
3. Your arms will look more attractive without puncture marks. Also, you won't have to wear long sleeves to hide the marks.
4. There's less danger of contracting deadly diseases such as AIDS or hepatitis B or C from needles. Isn't it better not to take the risk in the first place?
5. There's less danger of being hurt by harmful substances, especially when added to street drugs. You won't have to spend time on an intensive care ward or a brain injury unit.
6. You'll save money on medical bills because your body will be healthier. Isn't it nice to know that when you visit a doctor next time, it won't be drug-related?
7. You'll be able to do fun things like go on vacation with all the money you won't be wasting on drugs. Your overall financial situation should improve, too.
8. You won't lose any more days of your life zoned out on drugs. It may be a cliche, but remember that life is a natural high. If you're honest with yourself, you'll admit it's true.
9. You'll lose the sickly pallor you get when you're using drugs. You'll eat better and feel more like exercising, both of which should contribute to a healthier complexion.
10. You'll stop hurting your family. You know your family wants the best for you and that doesn't include abusing drugs and alcohol.
11. You'll have less chance of dying in a drug deal gone bad. Drug deals are good for no one, no matter what the buyer or seller thinks, and people do get killed.
12. You'll have more opportunities to get ahead by legal means, such as attending school. New opportunities should present themselves now that you've left drugs behind.
13. You won't put others, such as children, in danger. You'll be a more responsible parent, grandparent or babysitter because you'll be fully present.
14. You won't have to attend rehab again. Yes, it's helpful, but there are so many other ways to spend your time.
15. You won't go to jail because of drug use. Admit it - seeing how much you can get away with before you get caught is not a fun way to live. You won't have to deal with that type of negative in your life anymore.
16. You won't have to fear drug tests. The operative word here is fear. Now that you're not doing drugs, you can tell the tester to "bring it on:"
17. You won't burn down the house while inebriated or stoned. There's no danger of drug-related accidents.
18. You won't have to lie about your actions to anyone. Think about how easy it is to slip into the habit of lying when you use and abuse drugs and how much it hurts and disappoints the people around you.
19. You won't have to steal to support your habit. You'll be able to "give unto others" instead.
20. If you're female and pregnant, there'll be no danger of spontaneous abortion from drug use. It's a medical fact that women increase the chances of losing their babies from prolonged and chronic use of drugs. You'll be able to erase that fear from your mind.
21. If you're female and pregnant, you won't give birth to a baby who is already addicted. There have been enough news segments on babies born addicted to drugs to scare any woman still trying to deny this undeniable fact.
22. Your veins won't collapse. They'll be able to do their REAL job.
23. You won't have to go through withdrawal again.
24. You'll reduce your risk of heart attack from drugs. You'll want to retain the use of your heart for important feelings when you're drug-free.
25. Your mental functioning won't be clouded from drugs. Remember the saying, ''A mind is a terrible thing to waste?" If you can't think, you can't do much else.
26. You'll feel better physically. You've heard it before -- you are sick and tired of being sick and tired.
27. You'll regain your sense of self-esteem. You don't love yourself while you're using, even though self love is so much better than self-hate.
28. You'll get your reputation back. It's a good feeling showing others you kicked the habit and are able to stay clean. Anyone on your side wants to see you succeed.
29. You'll show yourself you really can do what you set your mind to do and get the monkey off your back.
30. You'll become a good role model for others battling the addiction of drugs in their lives.