Do I Need Rehab Can I Do It On My Own
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Sober Living Communities: A New Social Group
Another option for a safe and supportive environment is a sober living community/house .
These communities were first formed and are still mostly found in California. They continue to thrive due to their insistence that the environment can make or break ones recovery. Like an inpatient facility, they maintain a drug and alcohol-free environment however, treatment in an SLC is often recommended, rather than required. There is no mandatory attendance for meetings or classes on ways to stay sober. They leave that choice up to the individual. This allows you to attend when ready if a drug and alcohol-free community is all that is needed.
However, the freedom to choose ones treatment does come with some responsibility. All sober living communities have a set of house rules, which must be followed to remain in the city. The number one rule in most forbids the presence and use of drugs and alcohol. Beyond that, sober living communities often have rules on paying rent or other fees, completing house chores, and attending house meetings not treatment meetings.
What Percentage Of Alcoholics Stay Sober
According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism , about 33% or one-third of people who are treated for alcohol problems have no further symptoms 1 year later.
You can increase the odds of staying sober by finding support and a sober living community.
You might find sober life lonely or feel like you are missing out on living a fun life when you are drug or alcohol-free. But, other people like you have found that they could not manage their lives with drug and alcohol use. Not everyone can have just one or two drinks.
Addiction is a chronic brain disease that is treatable yet not cured. Addiction treatment is an ongoing, lifelong process. Relapse of any chronic diseases, like asthma and diabetes, can and do occur throughout a persons lifetime.
According to the National Institute of Drug Abuse , the relapse rate for drug and alcohol addiction is about 40-60%.
While 40-60% sounds like a high number, the relapse rate for addiction is are similar to rates for other chronic medical illnesses. Relapse prevention can help you stay sober throughout your addiction recovery.
Relapse prevention and long-term sobriety can include many different things. Most people need to continue outpatient therapy, attend support groups, and find purpose in their everyday life to stay sober.
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Finding Treatment For Alcoholism
Finally, if youve tried self-help strategies and find yourself not able to fully quit drinking, it may be time to seek professional help. Theres no one-size-fits-all approach to stopping alcohol use and treating alcohol misuse, but no matter how severe the issue may seem, recovery is possible for every person.
American Addiction Centers can help. Call our 24/7 alcohol detox hotline for more information about alcohol treatment options, availability, and facility locations. Reach us by calling to learn more about how you can start your recovery today.
- Resources about addiction and recovery
- Information about our treatment process
Alcohol Addiction Treatment Options
Some people are able to stop drinking on their own or with the help of a 12-step program or other support group . Others need medical supervision in order to withdraw from alcohol safely and comfortably. Which option is best for you depends on how much youve been drinking, how long youve had a problem, the stability of your living situation, and other health issues you may have.
The first step is often to consult your primary care doctor or GP. Your doctor can evaluate your drinking patterns, diagnose any co-occurring disorders, assess your overall health, and offer treatment referrals. They may even be able to prescribe medication to help you quit.
| Examples of alcohol treatment programs |
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Residential treatment involves living at a treatment facility while undergoing intensive treatment during the day. Residential treatment normally lasts from 30-90 days. |
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Partial hospitalization is for people who require ongoing medical monitoring but have a stable living situation. These treatment programs usually meet at the hospital for 3-5 days a week, 4-6 hours per day. |
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Intensive outpatient programs focus on relapse prevention and can often be scheduled around work or school. |
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Therapy can help you identify the root causes of your alcohol use, repair your relationships, and learn healthier coping skills and how to deal with triggers that could cause you to relapse. |
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How Do I Plan For My Sobriety
Making plans to get sober is essential to experiencing a successful recovery. It begins by talking to your loved ones and family about your decision to become sober and get help and starting your search for the best possible treatment. Its also important to know what to expect from treatment, and what happens at an addiction treatment center.
Treatment begins with detox, which helps you overcome physical dependence on drugs and alcohol. Detox can be conducted at an inpatient detox center or as an outpatient detox and may involve the use of medications or other therapies that treat withdrawal symptoms. Detox is then followed by behavioral therapies that help you identify and change harmful thoughts and behaviors contributing to your addiction. Therapy also helps you identify and manage common triggers that may lead to relapse, and teaches you valuable skills that support long-term sobriety.
Get Help For Yourself
Remember to take care of yourself, too. The emotional impact of helping a loved one stay sober can take a toll. Seek help from a therapist or a counselor if you feel stressed or depressed. You can also participate in a program thats designed for the friends and family members of alcoholics, such as Al-Anon.
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Most Common Reasons For Addiction Relapse
Unfortunately relapse rates for individuals who enter recovery from a drug or alcohol addiction are quite high. Studies reflect that about 40-60% of individuals relapse within 30 days of leaving an inpatient drug and alcohol treatment center, and up to 85% relapse within the first year. It is important for individuals who struggle with an alcohol dependence or other substance dependence to acknowledge the high risk for relapse, have an awareness of what their own personal triggers are, and learn to cope with their triggers and emotions in a healthy way. Through an understanding of common risks for addiction relapse, individuals can be better equipped and better able to maintain their recovery. Here are a list of 10 common triggers that contribute to addiction relapse.
1. Withdrawal
2. Mental Health
3. People
4. Places
5. Things
6. Poor Self-Care
7. Relationships and Intimacy
8. Pride and Overconfidence
9. Boredom and Isolation
10. Uncomfortable Emotions
For more information on addiction treatment, therapy and mental health, sober coaching, sober companions, or to inquire about our private concierge therapy services and/or our teletherapy services in New York City please contact our undisclosed therapy office location in the Upper East Side of NYC today at 220-2912.
How Long Do You Stay In Sober Living
You should stay in sober living for at least 90 days or more for the maximum benefit.
According to the Journal of Psychoactive Drugs, the average stay in a sober living program was between 166 and 254 days . Most programs recommend at least 90 days. You might need more time to achieve long-term sobriety.
Most addiction treatment centers recommend at least 90 days of sober living before returning home. Many people need more time to get the skills they need to continue sober life outside of a sober living program.
After a sober living program, the time it may take you to get back in the real world may vary in comparison to others. Each person recovers at their own pace.
You might have a strong support system of loved ones and family members to help you in your sobriety. Or, you might need time to build a support system if your addiction negatively impacted friends and family members.
During inpatient addiction treatment, you might have gone through detox and learned about co-occurring mental health issues related to alcohol and substance use disorders. After treatment, getting back into the real world can be scary.
You might not feel ready to go back home right after treatment and need a place to transition.
Treatment centers can help to keep you safe from the triggers and stressors in your everyday life. Sober living homes can be the next step after completing a treatment program.
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Family And Friends Are Often Triggers
Friends and family can have a huge positive impact on a persons sobriety. Unfortunately, this also means they can do a lot of harm. Friends and family are triggers in many cases. If they participated in ones addictive behavior, their presence alone can trigger the desire to drink, smoke, use drugs, and so on. This can even occur if friends and family abstain from those activities while theyre around you the desire to relapse can become even greater when they dont bother abstaining.
Determine The Mental Factors Influencing Alcohol Use
Many times, psychological factors underlie the physical urge to drink. These factors may include an undiagnosed mental health disorder, trauma, or other forms of psychological pain. In many cases, alcohol may serve as a numbing elixir that seems to temporarily get rid of problems. Determining the psychological factors driving your desire to drink will be essential for fighting cravings.
Therapy is an invaluable resource for managing the psychological factors associated with addiction.
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The Path Towards Long
While the road to long-term recovery can seem long and overwhelming, there is hope for those who want to find their way out. With a treatment plan, strong support system, and long-term goals, individuals who have suffered through substance abuse can achieve a healthy, productive lifestyle as contributing members of society.
Have A Buddy You Can Call For Support
One cornerstone underlying the strength of 12-step programs is the sponsor: A trusted friend you can call any time you feel in danger of relapse. This person is usually also in a recovery program with a longer history of sobriety. Many Narcotics Anonymous members report that this support system is one of the biggest factors for sustaining sobriety, and studies show that this support network can be key for those struggling with many different types of substance abuse.
But you dont need to be in a 12-step program to have a buddy. Ask someone you respect if they can be your go-to friend in times of need. Its great if this can be someone successful in their own recovery program or a substance abuse coach, as they will be the most qualified to support you on your journey. That said, it is also key to cultivate supportive relationships with close friends or family members who can step in to support you at a moments notice.
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Getting Sober From Alcohol
If youve struggled with alcohol for any amount of time, youve probably wondered how to get sober. You may have researched different treatment options. You may have even started to make a phone call for help. But you may not realize just how valuable your sobriety is to you as well as the people around you. Walking away from alcohol can make a real difference in your life as well as your familys life.
Whether you are dealing with alcohol abuse firsthand or watching a loved one fall into the hands of alcoholism, its important to understand what it takes to get sober. With the help of BetterAddictionCare, patients nationwide have been able to learn more about what they need to do in order to start healing. We can find a facility near you that is accepting new patients right away. Call today and well help put you on the right path toward sobriety.
The first part of the process of getting sober is making sure that the substance is no longer in the body. Detox allows you to remove the alcohol from the body. Because this is often easier said than done, it helps to have highly trained staff members around to oversee the process and offer medical assistance when needed. Medically supervised detox is available at inpatient facilities.
Get Busy With A Hobby
Having a pastime can support a sober Thanksgiving while also being helpful for your mental health. It can make you feel more like a part of the world and offer you something to concentrate on when things in life become challenging.
Hobbies are a great way to meet new people as well. If these interests are brand-new to you, you might try getting into crafting, photography, or music production. The key is to pick a pastime that interests you enough to divert your attention from other aspects of your life.
At Daylight Recovery Center, we have lots of different hobbies available for our patients. We offer recreational activities you can pick up as a hobby theres even a pool table and board games if youre looking for something more interactive! We encourage all our patients to get involved with some kind of activity during their stay. It makes them feel less alone compared to those who continue to use alcohol or drugs.
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What Does It Take To Stay Sober Long Term
Staying sober long-term takes self-care, getting support, a relapse prevention plan, and committing to healthy living.
When you think of staying sober for life, you might feel intimidated. When you look at the long-term end goal, you might feel overwhelmed. You might think, Now, I need to stay sober forever?
Staying sober for the long term is easier when you think of everything day by day.
Much like any other goal in life, long-term sobriety is more manageable in small parts. Take one step at a time and break everything into shorter goals. Look at sobriety in stages, from detox to addiction treatment to sober living to everyday life.
Each stage of recovery brings you closer to your goal of long-term sobriety. Celebrate each of these wins and successes. When you advance to a new phase, tell your loved ones and share your success with them.
Think of detox as your way of getting to the treatment center. Then, completing treatment advances you to sober living. Following that, you get back in the real world, where your life of sobriety is just beginning.
Be honest with yourself about what you need to stay sober.
Recovery can be a linear process, yet you might need to go back if you arent ready to move forward. For example, you might complete a sober living program yet do not feel prepared to get back in the real world. Be honest with yourself and your support team.
You will increase your chances of success if you find others who are like-minded and share your goals.
Know What To Do If Your Old Triggers Reappear
Not only do you have to know what to do if you get thrown off your schedule, you should also be prepared to deal with old triggers, because they will come your way.
For example, if people at work invite you to go out to the grab a drink, it can help to have a pre-scripted response ready. You might call someone after you see a family member that makes you feel like a child again, or engage in a healthy activity or hobby if you run into someone from your days of drug abuse. In this way, staying sober can be supported by proper planning.
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Deal With Past Mistakes
Most people who make their way into recovery have left a lot of pain and suffering in their wake. Feeling guilty or ashamed of past behavior or actions during active addiction is natural and healthy.
Shame is having negative beliefs about yourself and your self-worth. Guilt is having negative feelings about your past behavior. People in recovery can experience a lot of shame simply for having become addicted in the first place.
If these emotions become excessive, they can hold you back from recovery. If you are trying to maintain a sober lifestyle, those feelings can become toxic and contribute to relapse if you don’t deal with them properly.
Most who find recovery also find that they have emotionally damaged friends and loved ones and have many regrets about their past decisions. To avoid relapse and stay sober, it’s important that you take the necessary steps to learn from your past mistakes and begin to live life more responsibly.
More About The Author
If you feel you have a drinking problem, learning how to get sober safely and sustainably is key to ongoing abstinence. Getting sober is done most effectively by reaching out to a treatment program and addiction rehab and getting the process started. Unfortunately, many either fail to recognize the problem or are too nervous to seek help.
Research shows that just 10% of those requiring addiction treatment obtain any form of help.
Dont fall into this statistic. Not getting help is incredible dangerous and can result in a number of health problems including coma, overdose, and even death.
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