Defining Sobriety: What Does It Mean To Be Sober?

We can learn from it by identifying triggers and applying this knowledge moving forward. But there is freedom at the end of the tunnel, and sobriety brings little wins that are worth celebrating. Although relapses in recovery are common, they can be tough to work through. You can ask questions about our program, the admissions process, and more. Engaging with rehab will have shown you that you cannot always be strong and that you will sometimes need to ask for help.

Health benefits of sobriety

As these occasions can also put people around you who may also bring up old triggers, it’s important that you have a game plan and learn how to get through the holidays while in recovery. At Pennsylvania Recovery Center, we believe that sobriety is long-lasting healing and that is why behavioral therapy and counseling are highly suggested by our clinical team in addition to medical detox. We’ve seen multiple societal changes in our lifetime, from fashion trends to laws, to name just two, and as I wrote in my last post, there have been a number of changes to the thinking in the addiction field. To accommodate those changes, it appears that the meaning of the word “sober” has changed.

For instance, someone might describe themselves as clean if they have stopped using heroin but still occasionally drink alcohol. Conversely, a person who is sober would avoid both heroin and alcohol, adhering to a more comprehensive lifestyle change. This distinction is important in understanding the varying levels of commitment and the different approaches to recovery. Being clean often refers to abstaining from illegal drugs or misused substances like opioids or stimulants.

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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. If you want to be sober and recover from addiction, this means not using any substances, including alcohol, marijuana, cocaine, prescription drugs, etc. You cannot achieve sobriety if you’re still using drugs or alcohol in any capacity.

• Recovery is the active practice of working towards your betterment, not just abstaining from a substance.
• Some people give up alcohol or other drugs temporarily, often for monthlong periods like Dry January, as a cleanse or a test for longer sobriety.
• Medical cannabis protocols have their roots in cancer treatment, and today it is used to help people with a variety of reasons for chronic pain.
• We’ve seen multiple societal changes in our lifetime, from fashion trends to laws, to name just two, and as I wrote in my last post, there have been a number of changes to the thinking in the addiction field.

Understanding these nuances is crucial for anyone navigating the path of recovery. Some people give up alcohol or other drugs temporarily, often for monthlong periods like Dry January, as a cleanse or a test for longer sobriety. But experts say it shouldn’t be confused with treatment for actual substance use disorders. Embracing a sober lifestyle is a transformative process beyond the initial detoxification phase.

Become motivated to make positive change

An alcohol-free lifestyle can offer big rewards—if you know what your goal is, why it matters, and how you plan to get there. The point however is that life for an addict or alcoholic has a lot more meaning than just being clean, and constantly fighting temptation over and over again. Just because someone is clean does not mean that they have treated their alcoholism. Stopping drinking is only the first part of an alcoholic’s problem.

Sober vs. Clean: What’s the Difference?

But it’s often wise to seek professional help if you or a loved one think you have a problem. The CDC also offers guidance on how to identify excessive drinking. The road to recovery can be rugged, with withdrawal symptoms and cravings posing significant hurdles. These could be physical discomforts like nausea, shaking, and fatigue or psychological challenges like depression, anxiety, and intense cravings. However, these can be effectively managed with the proper guidance and resources. For example, techniques such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, mindfulness, and relaxation exercises can be beneficial in mitigating cravings and managing withdrawal symptoms.

If you do have a relapse, it’s important to get back on track as soon as possible and continue working towards your goal of sobriety. This may sound obvious, but are you sure that cannabis is legal where you live? Some folks may be eligible for a medical cannabis card in 39 of the 50 states, but it’s only available without one in 24 states.

Conversely, being sober as it relates to recovery is defined by many as more so having a sober mindset in addition to no longer having the substance in your body. The second definition is more commonly used when discussing sobriety as a lifestyle choice. Because cannabis can temporarily raise your heart rate or blood pressure, it could be harmful to people with existing coronary issues. Abodeely also cautions that those who abuse alcohol and are considering going California Sober may be at a higher risk of abusing cannabis as well.

I can proudly say I’m sober http://surgutafisha.ru/420467.webm/?paged=41 even though I take a handful of psychoactive medications each day. Don’t agree with me on this; they think if you’re taking mood-altering drugs, you’re not in true recovery. I take my medications exactly as my doctor prescribes them, and to me that means I’m sober. The term “sober curious” was coined by Ruby Warrington, a British author. It refers to the idea of questioning our relationship with alcohol by examining the personal and societal reasons that we drink.

Since addiction is a chronic relapsing disease, treatment is not always effective and successful immediately. By focusing on these three pillars, individuals can establish a state of sobriety where they are not only drug-free but also engaged in personal growth and healthy coping mechanisms. The distinction between sobriety and abstinence has practical implications for individuals in recovery, affecting treatment plans, coping strategies, and long-term outcomes.

Supporting Someone in Sobriety

Other people can get sober by doing the 12 step program at an A.A. Sober, drug-free, substance-free, and abstinence come to mind as words that could be appropriate replacements, none of which have stigmatizing connotations. After all, you can’t hang around with your drug dealer or old drinking friends and expect to stay sober for too long. Because, without the fundamental influence of a sober character, power, money and status become tools of the ego. When I was sober, I told a friend (who lived on the other side of the country and who had admitted that I hadn’t seen the worst of what I was drinking) that I no longer drank alcohol. Everyone is familiar with the saying “clean and sober”, believing them to be one and the same.

While we exclusively provide outpatient treatment, our team can help you find entry-level care like detox and inpatient rehab before entering our programs. Access to a full spectrum of treatment can provide you or your loved one with invaluable help to conquer addiction or co-occurring disorders. For more severe cases of alcohol use disorder or substance use disorder, medical detox https://harmonica.ru/tabs/a-pub-with-no-beer centers provide a safe and comfortable environment.

Wanting to be clean and sober is a goal for many who struggle with addiction but reaching out for help can seem scary. You may have heard the word sober, often in 12 step groups, recovery culture, and even drug and alcohol treatment centers to describe recovery. It’s usually the common goal when trying to get off of any mind or mood altering substance— but what does it mean to be sober? In this article you will learn about the textbook definition of what it means to be sober versus society’s definition to help you understand the differences. A person who experiences addiction to drugs or alcohol but is currently not using them can be described as clean.

As soon as these people drink alcohol, they lose the control to stop and are helpless in the face of cravings. Addiction was inherent in some people, an uncontrollable predisposition to substance abuse. Sobriety as a mainstream concept is widely understood as totally refraining from a substance or behavior. The process described here is abstinence rather than sobriety, though.