According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, about 7 in 10 adults who ever had a substance use problem considered themselves to be recovering or in recovery. Addiction recovery is a life-long journey that can be filled with many ups and downs. Whether you are just starting your recovery journey, or have been sober for years, it’s important to understand the difference between sobriety and recovery, and how it relates to your own recovery journey. Keep reading to learn the difference between sobriety and recovery below.
At Grace Recovery, we are a drug and alcohol rehab that provides premier treatment to help support each patient’s road to recovery. No two recovery journeys are ever the same. That’s why we offer a comprehensive range of addiction treatment options to ensure you receive the best care that aligns with your unique recovery needs. Contact us today to learn more about how we can support your road to recovery.
What is Sobriety?
Sobriety is when a recovering addict detoxes and is free from abusing drugs. In other words, sobriety is how long someone has abstained from abusing drugs or alcohol. It’s important to celebrate sobriety as it signifies how far you’ve come along your road to recovery. Regardless of if you’ve been sober for 1 year or 10 years, it’s essential to acknowledge and celebrate your sobriety.
What is Recovery?
Recovery refers to more of the emotional, psychological, and physical healing and growth that occurs when you’ve detoxed, overcome addiction, and are living a sober life. Addiction recovery is life-long in that you are constantly avoiding triggers, urges, and cravings in your life. Your recovery journey doesn’t just stop once you’ve overcome addiction and achieved sobriety. It’s important to continue to support your recovery journey, whether through support groups, therapy, or even outpatient care to help maintain your progress in recovery.
3 Main Differences Between Sobriety vs. Recovery
While sobriety and recovery are similar, there are differences between sobriety and recovery. Keep reading to learn those differences below.
- Recovery Typically Refers to an Individual’s Healing & Growth Progress
As mentioned briefly above, recovery typically involves more of an individual’s healing and growth progress. In other words, not just how long someone has abstained from drugs, but how they’ve physically, mentally, and emotionally progressed in life once they have overcome addiction, healed, and are now living a sober life.
- Sobriety Typically Is Measured in Time & Involves How Long Someone Has Been Drug-Free
Next, the term sobriety is typically more seen as an outcome of overcoming addiction, and thus is measured in time and how long someone has been free from drugs. Although someone can say they’ve been in recovery from drugs or addiction for 5 years, typically people refer to the length of time they’ve been free from drugs with sobriety, such as saying “I’ve been sober for 5 years.”
- Sobriety Is Viewed as an Outcome, Whereas Recovery Is a Lifestyle
Last but not least, sobriety is typically seen as more of a goal or outcome, whereas recovery is more of a comprehensive lifestyle transformation. For example, every recovering addict’s goal is to achieve life-long sobriety; however, to achieve long-term sobriety, an individual must prioritize consistent and daily healing through recovery. From seeking professional help through addiction treatment to attending support groups and maintaining healthy habits, all of these are positive ways to support your recovery journey so you can achieve long-lasting sobriety.
Help Is Available
Now you know more about what is the difference between sobriety and recovery. While sobriety is typically seen more as an outcome of recovery and should be celebrated, recovery typically refers to the daily lifestyle healing and growth that comes from maintaining sobriety. No matter where you are on your road to recovery, it’s important to understand that addiction recovery is a life-long journey.
At Grace Recovery, we are here to help you every step of the way along your road to recovery. We understand how debilitating a disease addiction can be. That’s why we offer a wide range of treatment options from addiction treatment options to mental health treatment to ensure you receive the right care to uniquely support your road to recovery. Contact us today to learn more about how we can best support your road to recovery.
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