Although the words recovery and sobriety are positive and are often used to assess the condition of people with addiction, they are not interchangeable concepts. There is not only a clear connection between them, but also fundamental differences. In this article, we will talk about them and why a “dry drunk” is always at risk.
If you or a loved one is struggling with an addiction to alcohol, drugs, or prescription medications, we recommend against self-treatment. It is hard and dangerous for everyone. At New Breath Recovery, we provide everything you need to make treatment not only effective and safe, but also comfortable. You will have experienced doctors, medical staff, and a chef at your service. Patients are accommodated in single or double apartments with private bath, recreational areas are provided on the territory of the rehab. Each person undergoing treatment at New Breath Recovery is safely protected from all possible triggers and is under constant supervision of the rehabilitation center staff.
What does Sobriety mean?
What is a state of sobriety for a person addicted to any psychoactive substance? Right, it is a willful refusal to use them, to exclude drugs and alcohol from one's life. That is why it is often said to quit drinking, quit drugs, etc. Sobriety is one of the conditions for fighting addiction, but the mere refusal of substances does not mean that a person successfully copes with the problem. Why does this happen?
When a person gives up drugs or alcohol and does nothing else, the only thing that changes about them is that they are not under the influence of substances. This leaves a void inside that has not been filled with anything, and with it, possibly destructive behavior, bad moods, failure to fulfill one's obligations, and more. The longer a person stays in this state, the higher the risk of relapse.
The Narcotics Anonymous community has a pithy name for it – “dry drunk.” This means that the person does not use, but in fact remains addicted and is waiting for his or her time. At first there is a false sense of control, so the person contemplates the possibility of controlled drinking, but then it all goes back to the same level of alcoholism or drug addiction. It's just a matter of a trigger that will go off sooner or later because the cause of substance use is not addressed.
So, sobriety is giving up psychoactive substances without serious work on oneself and understanding the reasons for the development of addiction. This is one, but not the only condition for effective drug and alcohol treatment.
What does Recovery mean?
Alcohol and drugs are often mistakenly seen as an effective way to escape from some problem. Recovery is about finding the sources of the problem and learning to cope without substances. Recovery from addiction refers to continually working on oneself to not only eliminate substances from one's life, but also to understand the reason for their use.
Can we say that recovery makes a person a better person? Absolutely, yes. As a result of comprehensive work on mental, physical and spiritual health, positive transformations take place. This doesn't mean that he or she becomes completely healthy – some forms of addiction must be fought for a lifetime. But it does mean that in the process of recovery, such a person gets closer to the best version of himself. This is helped by ongoing therapies, participation in support groups, lifestyle changes, and more.
What can trigger the impetus for conscious recovery? For example, the development of a serious illness that affects the length of one's life. Some people quit drinking when they learn how long alcoholics live. The main motivation remains fear of the future. If it is strong enough, a person can take the first step towards a healthy life.
It turns out that recovery is a process of personal growth and self-discovery. It is constant work on oneself, self-analysis, development of useful skills and habits. It is the acquisition of something to become better.
Key Differences Between Sobriety and Recovery
In brief, sobriety is giving up something bad and recovery is acquiring something good. Sobriety can sometimes take as little as an hour to achieve, while recovery can take years. Therefore, the key difference between sobriety and recovery is that the former is an artificial block, while the latter is an open door to new possibilities and true healing.
By giving up drugs and alcohol and not taking any other actions, a person accomplishes a peculiar feat. At the same time, it is often difficult for him to live without substances and all this is like a time bomb, which sooner or later will end in a relapse.
Recovery is a process, a constant movement, change, striving to understand addiction and learning the skills to fight it effectively. As research and practice have shown, it's not enough to simply abstain from substances to heal, you need personal growth. That is what recovery provides.
Similarities and Overlapping Aspects
You can't say there is any opposition of the recovery vs sobriety kind. But what is remarkable is that many recovering people consider themselves sober, but not all sober people recover.
Sobriety is the first and very important step on the road to recovery. Without quitting substance use, it is simply not possible to recover. Recovery requires the support of professionals and loved ones, and constant work for personal growth.
Why Sobriety Alone is Not Enough
When a person gives up substances, they are left alone with the feeling that they have lost something. He or she will struggle with this feeling all the time until relapse.
It can manifest itself in different ways, not always in a positive way:
- irritability;
- mood swings;
- isolation;
- aggression.
"Dry drinking" can be devastating to the psyche of a person with an addiction and cause serious damage to relationships with friends and loved ones. Therefore, it is necessary to address the underlying issues and develop useful coping skills for addiction.
Even if you are past the withdrawal symptom stage and your body is clean from drugs or alcohol, it does not mean that recovery is complete. If you don't feel relieved or empowered, it means that you need support.
You can get all the help you need at drug rehab New Breath Recovery, located in a quiet town in California. Comprehensive drug and alcohol treatment programs have been developed here, which have shown excellent effectiveness. Patients of the clinic are in a safe and comfortable environment, which has a positive impact on the dynamics of rehabilitation.
Conclusion
Sobriety is good, but it may not be enough to achieve full recovery. It requires recovery, a comprehensive approach that includes sobriety and ongoing self-help. You can get the support you need in rehab centers, in individual or group therapy, by attending Narcotics Anonymous groups, or by engaging in self-development.