Addiction recovery can be grueling, but it is a light at the end of the tunnel and worth the effort. According to statistics, one third of the people seeking treatment complete it successfully. So, there is hope. However, many patients are rightfully concerned about the process. ‘How long does it take to get sober?’ is a common question rehab facilities receive.

The truth is that there is no correct answer. Recovery is different for each individual; while some may recover in a couple of months, others may take longer. You will know the correct answer after checking in and allowing your specialists to observe the extent of your addiction disorder.

This blog post will answer the question, mention common challenges, and give tips to avoid relapsing.

How Long Does It Take To Get Sober?

We mentioned above that there is no standard for how long the recovery process takes, and we want to elaborate on that. Some factors give an idea about how long a person may take to recover. However, we are in the dark about other determinants. The first step is find an alcohol rehab near you or a drug rehab near you so that you can get started on the recovery process immediately.

For example, the quality of drug and alcohol rehab facilities, duration of addiction, the substance in question, etc., affect the course of recovery. However, we cannot create an equation based on those factors alone. Some people have shown quicker or slower recovery for unknown reasons.

A few people have relied on anchors like faith and family to get them through the challenging parts of the recovery process. The problem is that anchors aren’t the same for everyone, so the matter is subjective.

How Does the Brain Process Drug and Alcohol Detox?

Part of the recovery also depends on the way your brain processes the detox treatment. Inpatient detox is the first step in addiction treatment and focuses on removing the drug from the patient’s system. The body and brain are accustomed to the drug’s effects, so people face withdrawal symptoms.

Most specialists assign specific medication to mitigate withdrawal and keep the patient under close observation to prevent incidents. The response to drug and alcohol detox can help determine how long it might take for you to recover. Some people’s brains find it easier to adjust to the absence of the drug, while others take more time.

Recovery depends on the patient’s involvement in activities, diet, and exercise, so it’s a multi-level process. Most of such treatments last for 60-90 days in total.

Do Addiction Behaviors Get Reversed?

This question is tricky to answer. Research has proven that long-term drug and alcohol use often permanently changes the brain, creating neural paths with lasting personality changes and behavioral effects. However, some findings also support that these changes can reverse.

The problem is that there is no guarantee that the reversal will work for a particular patient or not. So the question typically answers itself after several years of sobriety, when the brain has had enough time to heal. The healing process will be slow, so you must be patient if you hope the changes will revert.

What Are the Challenges You May Face?

Addiction recovery is not a smooth process; everyone takes time to overcome the cravings and distress once they complete alcohol rehab. There are typical issues during the treatment that you need to overcome to get the green signal from specialists, but things hardly end there.

Following are the three most common challenges recovering addicts face:

1. Financial Concerns

Financial concerns may not apply to everyone, but they are a constraint for middle-class people with little to no savings. Addiction often makes it difficult to hold down jobs, and patients remain jobless while receiving treatment.

Therefore, there is a high chance that their financial situation to be difficult when they leave the facility. Financial problems can easily send patients through a downward spiral, so they must be careful.

2. Cravings

Cravings are common for former addicts, significantly when they are newly recovered and face situations associated with drugs or alcohol. It can be challenging to control cravings, so it is always best to have an alternate activity to rely on to keep your mind off substance use.

3. Personal Life Stressors

Stress is unavoidable, but it is also a factor that can push you towards relapse. While you can work on managing work and similar pressures, others are more challenging. For example, family deaths, divorce, and similar concerns can become overwhelming and lead you to seek escape.

Tips to Avoid Relapsing

There is no way to avoid the abovementioned or other challenges affecting your recovery. But, the following tips may help you keep things under control to some extent:

1. Continue Therapy

Firstly, don’t stop therapy. Behavioral or psychotherapy are constructive solutions for recovering addicts, especially since they give the patients room to express themselves. You’ll be free to talk about your anxiety and concerns, which will help keep negative thoughts at bay.

2. Avoid Social Gatherings Where Alcohol Is Unavoidable

We understand how difficult it is to move away from social groups, but this part isn’t optional. If being present with friends triggers your desire to use substances. It is best to avoid such situations. Unfortunately, it is best to avoid them because their substance use may also tempt you to try.

3. Explore Hobbies and Interests

Life can feel dull and uneventful because you no longer have drugs pumping dopamine in your body. The best solution is to start new hobbies or pursue different interests to fill your time. The key is to choose activities you enjoy because they will keep you from getting fed up with your situation.

We would also recommend you opt for safe hobbies that wouldn’t land in a hospital room with morphine attached. The last thing you want is another system.

Wrapping Up

We hope this blog answered your question, ‘How long does it take to get sober?’ the answer will depend on your body, addiction substance and timeline, and treatment quality. Recovery is a continuous process, so remain vigilant and avoid incidents that can push you towards relapse. Find a drug rehab near you or an alcohol rehab near you that can help you get on your way to a happy, healthy, and sober life!