The research indicates that 42% of participants in AA remain completely abstinent one year later, higher than the rate for those receiving other types of treatments. Therapy and support groups are essential elements of thriving in sobriety. Therapy can provide insights into the root causes of substance abuse and equip them with strategies to manage their emotions and behaviors.
Life isn’t about just not using on a daily basis, it is about having the human experience that is living as well. Of course, recovery wouldn’t be possible if you weren’t sober first, so staying sober is one of the most important factors for recovery, but it isn’t the only one. To fully appreciate what sobriety means, it’s important to consider the medical and psychological aspects of sobriety and how they impact the lived experience of people with substance abuse disorders. We understand how difficult this time in your life has been and how challenging recovery can be, and we are here to help you recover in the way that is best for you. Sober and clean are two of the most commonly used words by those battling an alcohol or drug addiction, by their loved ones and by people employed in this field to help them recover. As is sometimes the case when comparing a couple of words, the answer is not clear-cut, but we will discuss the main differentiations between them as well as in what ways these words are similar to each other.
How Can Relapse be Prevented Once Sobriety Has been Achieved?
Colloquially, it may refer to a specific substance that is the concern of a particular recovery support program6 (e.g. alcohol, marijuana, opiates, or tobacco). “Clean and sober” is a commonly used phrase, which refers to someone having an extended period without alcohol or other drugs in their body. When substances control your life, it’s easy to feel trapped, ashamed, or stuck in a cycle of poor decisions. Choosing sobriety empowers you to take control of your future, boosting your self-esteem and giving you a sense of accomplishment. The longer you stay sober, the more confident you’ll feel in your ability to manage challenges without turning to alcohol or drugs. If you want to be sober and recover from addiction, this means not using any substances, including alcohol, marijuana, cocaine, prescription drugs, etc.
Additional Resources on Sobriety
When you complete your treatment program, you should have a relapse management and prevention plan in place, and you should also have the right level of aftercare for your needs. Engaging with alumni groups and peer-support groups like AA, NA, or SMART Recovery can help you maintain your hard-won sobriety. Engaging with inpatient or outpatient addiction treatment will help you to strengthen your sobriety through a combination of MAT (medication-assisted treatment), counseling, and psychotherapy like CBT or DBT. Looking back to the early nineteenth century, both drunkenness and substance use were viewed as moral failings and heavily stigmatized.
What are the Benefits of Maintaining Lifelong Sobriety?
One is the initial step into sobriety, while the other only happens after a person begins to fully embraces their sober life. Assisting a loved one on their path to sobriety entails providing empathy, emotional backing, and motivation. Listen to them, validate their experiences, and acknowledge their achievements. Please educate yourself about addiction and recovery to better understand their journey.
Sobriety is a Journey, Not a Destination
Evidence suggests that people who pursue psychological wellness during their addiction recovery are better able to maintain sobriety or manage moderate substance use. The psychological definition of sobriety is similar to the medical definition but with some clear differences. For many people recovering from a substance use disorder, medical sobriety is not something that can be instantly achieved even with a treatment program. This definition is based solely on an individual’s behavior and refers only to the physical resistance to alcohol and drug use following detoxification. It is important to understand recovery-based terminology as best as you can as it relates to your situation as well as, if you are in a recovery facility, others undergoing their own recovery journeys. One is that they are still going through the detox process, which can be extensive and often results in the individual really struggling mentally.
Clear Recovery Center’s Virtual IOP provides clients with therapeutic support for burnout, depression, anxiety, chronic fatigue and stress. Some people would even say that their significant other can sometimes be in a better mood when they are drinking. Being clean can be the equivalent of being a dry drunk or white-knuckling your sobriety.
Sober living is a continuous process that demands commitment and persistence. It’s an emotional journey marked by constant learning, growing, and adapting. This journey doesn’t end once substances are removed from one’s life; instead, that’s when the process of sober living begins. This ongoing process involves making decisions that uphold one’s sobriety and promote overall health and well-being.
These approaches, such as moderation management, acknowledge the challenges of abstaining for specific individuals and aim to promote responsible and controlled substance use. It’s vital to note that this does not apply across all drug categories — having one beer might be easier to manage than a heroin habit. In fact, it takes a great deal of strength to admit that you need help to overcome addiction. Furthermore, decades of evidence have proven that people who get help while beginning the recovery process have better outcomes than those who don’t. They may also benefit from seeking their own support in a family program like Al-Anon or Nar-Anon. If you don’t have supportive family, try to build a support system elsewhere.
Levels of Care
The remaining 46% of respondents did not use traditional treatment or support to get sober. What these individuals have in common is that living a clean life is just half the battle. They see the difference between being clean and sober as initially embracing the clean part, but learning to love and put into daily practice their commitment to staying sober. Sober people have amassed knowledge about their recovery and ways to reduce temptation and avoid https://www.inkl.com/news/sober-house-rules-a-comprehensive-overview relapse. They typically have support systems in place, like private therapy, support groups, outpatient treatment programs, or a mentor to whom they can turn for advice and support. Recovery programs are critical in guiding individuals through their journey to clean living.
- The subsequent phase is detoxification, where the body is cleansed of the substances.
- This ongoing process involves making decisions that uphold one’s sobriety and promote overall health and well-being.
- If you grew up in an alcoholic household, then you know that when mom or dad did not have something to drink they were not happy.
- Some people would even say that their partner can sometimes be in a better mood when they drink.
In many cases, outpatient programs are good fits for people with relatively stable home environments and strong support systems. Outpatient treatment often entails focused recovery programming for several hours per day, for several days a week. The medical definition of sobriety refers to a natural state of physical health in which a person’s brain and body are unaffected by the influence of drugs or alcohol. Helpful tips for staying sober, as identified in scientific research, include participating in Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Twelve-Step Facilitation (TSF) programs.
