In a related article, “The Six Stages of Alcoholism and Recovery,” you can learn about the different phases individuals go through when overcoming alcoholism. From the early stage of problem drinking to the final stage of recovery, this article provides valuable insights and guidance. Check it out here to gain a better understanding of your journey towards sobriety.

Severe symptoms

stages of getting sober

Sobriety can be a fixed-term goal like staying sober for a set period (such as Dry January), or a lifelong goal of staying sober from all substances. Six Months to One Year During this time, healthy habits have become more ingrained, and the patient may be tempted to stop attending group sessions. While it may seem unnecessary to go to weekly meetings, being surrounded by a positive support system is vital to continued sobriety.

Overcoming Obstacles: How to Stay Sober During Challenging Times

stages of getting sober

However, it is likely that you will still have some emotional issues to deal with. You must take care of your body, providing the nutrients needed to heal your body at the cellular level. There are several things that can be precursors to a relapse, including hunger.

It’s a disease that typically develops gradually over time as a person drinks more and more regularly, which causes chemical changes to occur in the brain. It stands to reason that https://northiowatoday.com/2025/01/27/sober-house-rules-what-you-should-know-before-moving-in/ alcohol recovery is also a gradual process with no set timeline. There are common setbacks to getting and staying sober like withdrawal, craving, and pressure to use. Setbacks don’t erase progress, though, and they don’t mean you’ve “failed” to stay sober. However, in the precontemplation stage, most people aren’t ready to face the truth just yet. You might find yourself rationalizing drug or alcohol use in this stage by saying that you’re just having a drink to unwind after a stressful day, or that you feel you could stop using drugs at any point.

Additionally, the facility should offer evidence-based treatments such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and family counseling. The different stages include experimenting with the substance, dependence, addiction, and others. There are five stages of recovery that every recovering addict will experience until they reach long-term sober living.

During your time in a inpatient treatment program, for example, you would take action by going through the 12 step process in addition to attending individual and group therapies. Furthermore, inpatient and outpatient treatment programs will give you the opportunity to grow with unique services such as recreational therapy. The action stage of recovery might also involve addressing your mental health with dual diagnosis treatment. Sometimes, it can seem like there are various factions in addiction treatment at war with each other.

  • Depending on how often you drink, and the type of booze that you are drinking, this can be quite treacherous.
  • According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), recovery is a process that involves remission from AUD and quitting heavy drinking for good.
  • Recovery podcasts can be a valuable resource for individuals on the journey to sobriety.
  • This will ultimately depend on how much you’re used to drinking, how long you’ve been drinking heavily, your medical history, and genetic factors.
  • Some people say that it is easy to get sober but hard to maintain sobriety.

Alcohol Withdrawal Recovery Timeline

Some individuals choose to mark their milestones with a special event or activity, such as going out for a nice dinner or taking a trip. Others may choose to celebrate with a small token or symbol, such as a sobriety coin or bracelet. If you’re concerned that someone you know might be a heroin addict, or if you’re seeking information to better understand the complexities of heroin addiction, you’ve come to the right place. Heroin addiction is a severe and often misunderstood issue, affecting… It takes just two weeks of abstinence for your brain to start recovering from volume loss, according to this study.

Stage 2: Contemplation – Considering change

Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. In the event of a medical emergency, call a doctor or 911 immediately. This website does not recommend or endorse any specific tests, physicians, products, procedures, opinions, or other information that may be mentioned on the Site. Reliance on any information provided by this website is solely at your own risk.

Alcohol Detox for Withdrawal

stages of getting sober

The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) estimates that 29.5 million people have alcohol use disorder (AUD) in the United States. Yet, only about 7.6% of people with AUD receive treatment for their alcohol addiction. After drinking alcohol, it’s common to wonder how long it takes to sober up and get back to your usual state of mind.

You’re no longer the same individual that walked through the door into treatment. Over the months after you are in recovery and making progress each day, you will start to see for yourself the major changes you’ve made in the way you choose to live. What you create for yourself in the future in terms of goals and dreams begins with what you do today. As the loved one of someone struggling with an addiction, do everything you can to educate yourself. Understand what motivates the addict to behave in certain ways, the negative feelings they feel, and what an enormous commitment attending rehab is.

This is what rehab is all about—giving you the tools to live your life clean and sober. It can take your liver one week or longer to completely detox from alcohol after your last drink. Alcohol can be detected in blood for up to 12 hours after the last drink. It can also stay on your breath for hours, in saliva for 12 hours, in your urine for hours, and in your hair for up to 90 days. If you or a loved one is struggling with addiction, you can reach out today for more information about how we can help.

The good news is that as time passes, the recovered addict will feel more confident and in control of his/her urges. Generally, you may need treatment for alcohol misuse when you can no longer control the amount you drink or how long you drink. To learn more about when you may need help for alcohol misuse, visit our informational page on sober house helping someone with an alcohol use disorder or take our alcohol misuse self-assessment. “Recovery Elevator” – This podcast focuses on the journey to sobriety and features interviews with individuals who have successfully overcome addiction.