In the first 6 months of your sobriety, your body will start getting rid of toxins in order to become healthier. By the 6 month mark, your skin appears healthier. People around you notice your eyes are clearer. You've been taking care of yourself and bathing regularly, so your hygiene has improved.
The first week of sobriety is often the most difficult. You may experience withdrawal symptoms that last for a few days or weeks. These symptoms are uncomfortable, and the risk of relapse can be high.
One of the key things to expect in your first year of sobriety is that you'll have the chance to create new relationships and to repair old ones. Take your first step towards recovery. But this should not include unhealthy relationship from your past.
But 9 months of sobriety teaches you how to do the best self-care- actually listening to your body and knowing what's right for it. And it's already starting to get better. Each day I feel more aligned with myself and it's easier to stop the endless spiral of guilt and shame before it gets too bad.
6 Months - Improved Focus
At this stage, you've continued to reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease and cancer. This is the point where some more intangible benefits start to appear. Some people find that their self-esteem improves and ability to be self-compassionate also increases (Collison et al., 2016).
Going sober for 7 months (235 days) comes with a lot of great benefits for myself including: Less anxiety, more energy, less brain fog, lower blood pressure, more productivity, more money and better social skills.
Hitting 100 days of sobriety is a huge milestone to be celebrated. In your first 30 days sober you might struggle with poor sleep and cravings to drink. It's common to feel incredibly tired in your first month sober, irritated and rageful.
One year of sobriety is a monumental milestone. It's a reminder of the effort you've made to choose sobriety for the past 365 days. Statistically, most people are much more likely to remain sober after reaching this anniversary. After one year, you may find yourself needing to engage with fewer tools on a daily basis.
40.3% of people with an alcohol use disorder in the United States have relapsed if they have dropped out of AA after the first year.
As noted, up to 85% of individuals relapse within their first year of sobriety. The good news is that the longer one is able to maintain their recovery, the better chance they have at sustaining long-term sobriety.
You will learn how to handle your own emotions, set healthy boundaries and form true connections with others. Sobriety helps prevent you from saying things you don't mean, acting in ways you normally wouldn't and making poor decisions that negatively impact your relationships.
When you push your way through the most difficult parts of life, things eventually begin to look up again. Sure, recovery still ebbs and flows. Some days are harder than others, but for the most part, it's gotten easier to be a person living a sober life.
When sobriety loses its priority, or you “slip,” you're beginning to walk the road that leads to relapse. You're not focused on recovery. Often, you find yourself in high risk situations. You may be picking up your old, bad habits or hanging out with friends that you know don't support your recovery.
I have time for self-care. I'm able to give myself what I truly need with more consistency. Without the intoxicating fog of a few drinks (and it was almost always a few), my body's signals come in much clearer. I can now generally distinguish whether I'm hungry, thirsty, tired, stressed, or stir-crazy.
When you reach 90 days of sobriety, you'll likely feel a bit more relaxed. However, you may begin feeling sad and confused about your relationship with drugs and alcohol. Feelings of shame, guilt and depression are all normal, and these feelings can be worked through.
The Brain in Early Sobriety
In the first 60 days of being sober, there might not be any changes right away. Changes will happen when you continue to work on your recovery. The brain needs to be re-trained to function normally without drugs or alcohol. Treatment can be helpful in the early stages of this process.
Although positive changes may appear earlier, 3 months of not drinking can not only improve your mood, energy, sleep, weight, skin health, immune health, and heart health. It can even reduce your risk of cancer.
This is a major milestone and something to be celebrated. It's important to remember that recovery is a lifelong process, but the first 90 days of addiction recovery can set the foundation for long-term success. Being sober for 90 days can bring a number of benefits, both for physical and mental health.
Various colors are assigned to various lengths of sobriety. Typically, A.A. chips include: white to start or renew a commitment to sobriety; yellow for 30 days; red for 90 days; blue for six months; green for nine months; and a bronze chip for one or more years.
Teaching clients these simple rules helps them understand that recovery is not complicated or beyond their control. It is based on a few simple rules that are easy to remember: 1) change your life; 2) be completely honest; 3) ask for help; 4) practice self-care; and 5) don't bend the rules.
In the U.S., a widespread practice requires patients with alcoholic liver disease to complete a period of sobriety before they can get on the waiting list for a liver. This informal policy, often called “the 6-month rule,” can be traced to the 1980s.
Wondering if you have to stay sober forever is a common debate after leaving rehab. Thinking about forever can be overwhelming. But, in reality, you can stay sober for the rest of your life, but some people might find it easier to focus on it one day at a time. After all, recovery is all about taking the first step.
Sobriety is something that needs to be continuously worked on throughout a lifetime. Once people go through treatment and recovery, they believe they are better and ready to jump back into life. Sadly, this is when relapse occurs and can be the toughest part of your new sober lifestyle.