The words sobriety and recovery are very common, especially for those people who want to attend drug and alcohol addiction rehab. Many people who wish to get treated from addiction often confuse these two terms a lot.
The truth is these two words do not mean the same thing. There is a very distinct difference between them, which I will explain in this article. You will also learn how recovery can ensure a person maintains lifetime sobriety.
First, an addict cannot be in the recovery process without first attaining sobriety. However, a person can be sober without ever being in recovery. Therefore, understanding the difference between sobriety and recovery is very crucial. It can help drug addicts to learn how to transform from abstinence to a more all-inclusive approach to lifetime recovery.
What is Sobriety?
Sobriety, in simple terms, means people who have stopped using alcohol and drugs in their life. Although a person may not be living under the influence of substances, it does not imply that other unhealthy aspects of their life have been addressed.
For instance, a person may still struggle with behavioral health conditions, have broken relationships, during sobriety but not in recovery.
In rehab groups, some participants use the expression “dry drunk” to signify someone who has quit drinking. However, the person may continue displaying harmful behaviors, such as failure to keep commitments, being dishonest, blaming others, etc. These people have high risks of relapsing since they have not changed or addressed their past addictive behaviors appropriately.
What is Recovery?
For a recovered addict, the main difference with sobriety is that the person has both changed addictive behaviors and quitted drug or alcohol consumption.
A person in recovery is continuously trying to solve problems that led to alcohol or drug addiction in the first place. When drug addicts attend rehab, they quickly discover that drugs and substance addiction are not the only problems. Instead, substance or drug abuse use is usually a sign of unusual conditions.
Therefore, recovery allows former drug addicts to adjust positively and deeply examine their emotions, behaviors, and beliefs. People who participate in recovery programs have the highest likelihood of maintaining long-term sobriety. Furthermore, they have the best chance to live a productive and happy life without ever getting into addiction again.
Final Thoughts About Sobriety and Recovery
Sobriety is simply the start of the lifetime journey of recovery. Transforming from sobriety to recovery requires both action and long-term commitment. While many addicts can stop using drugs for a short period, they can usually accomplish lifetime sobriety by journeying the road of recovery. In the end, the recovery process is ongoing healing that cannot be completed alone.
The Recover has many resources and information to help many people to begin their recovery process every year.
If you or someone you know is struggling with drugs or alcohol abuse disorder, contact us to understand available treatment options for sobriety and recovery. Drug addicts can learn a lot on how to live a life free from addiction.
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