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. For some individuals, achieving sobriety may be the first step towards recovery. By focusing on abstaining from substance use, they can gain clarity and stability in their lives.

Embracing Sobriety and Recovery for Holistic Healing

He received his medical degree in Mexico with further certification from Rutgers Medical School in New Jersey. He then attended New York Medical College for his residency training. Judy is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor in the State of Maryland, and a National Certified Counselor. She earned her Master’s Degree in Clinical Counseling from Johns Hopkins University with an undergraduate degree in Psychology from the University of Maryland.

Embracing the Journey of Sobriety and Recovery

Don’t wait— reach out today to take the first step toward taking control of your life. A person cannot be in recovery without first achieving sobriety. However, it is possible to be sober without ever living in recovery.

Melissa’s personal experiences with addiction and mental health struggles instilled within her a profound passion for supporting others on their recovery journey. Her unwavering commitment to peer support, coupled with her own lived experience, fuels her drive to make a meaningful impact in the lives of those facing similar challenges. I began working in the treatment field for alcohol and drug addiction in January 2020, and it has provided me with a sense of purpose, as helping others has always been a passion of mine.

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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. Sobriety is about abstaining from addictive substances or behaviors.

A resident of Gaithersburg, Michael has planted roots and established a network in the local recovery community. Michael’s goal is Sober Houses Rules That You Should Follow to connect current client and alumni with resources to strengthen their life in recovery. Understanding the nuances between sobriety and recovery is crucial for individuals seeking help, their loved ones, and professionals in the field. On the road to healing from addiction, the terms “sobriety” and “recovery” often come up. While usually used interchangeably, these concepts represent distinct aspects of overcoming addiction.

There is a path that leads to joy and freedom from whatever addictive burden you may carry. The natural process of making a huge change in your life will bring enough uncertainty and anxiety on its own. You want to spend this time getting through these events and getting comfortable in your new lifestyle. Take some time to be calm and patient, get to know yourself in this new version of you and introduce this new version of you to the other people in your life. Our compassionate and professional team’s motivation, especially to motivate you to remain abstinent, accompanied by our unwavering support and positive coping skills, can be the best tool to prevent relapse.

This is not because the substances weren’t a problem (they were), but it means Addiction is a complex entity with many moving parts that need to be regarded. Sobriety without recovery can lead to the “dry drunk” phenomenon talked about in Alcoholics Anonymous. Basically this is someone who is not consuming alcohol but is usually quite miserable, emotionally unavailable, isolated, and unwell in many ways. NATC is a sanctuary for healing with a family environment and various evidence-based treatment programs.

• A resident of Gaithersburg, Michael has planted roots and established a network in the local recovery community.
• Once I could see the pieces I needed to heal I could start practicing new behaviors to heal those things.
• Lazare Shadzeka is a Board Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner via the American Nurses Credentialing Center, with privileges in Maryland and Washington DC.
• The nature of AUD involves changes in brain chemistry and function, making it difficult for individuals to control their drinking without support.
• Mental recovery includes developing healthier thought patterns and coping mechanisms.

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She graduated from The University of Maryland with a master’s degree in social work. Her experience in a variety of settings, from leadership in a hospital setting to private practice, affords Cheryl a well-rounded skillset ready to render top-notch care and serve the needs of our diverse community. As a licensed clinician, Cheryl stands ready to diagnose and treat a wide spectrum of mental, behavioral, and personality disorders that sometimes present alongside a substance use disorder. We publish material that is researched, cited, edited and reviewed by licensed medical professionals. The information we provide is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. It should not be used in place of the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare providers.

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I now enjoy working with others and helping them get through the hard times of early recovery. I still engage in a daily program of recovery myself and also enjoy fitness and health, nature, sports, horror movies, video games, cooking and spending time with family and friends. I have been on both sides of the fence, active addiction and recovery, and continue to choose recovery every day. Whether you’re focusing on sobriety, recovery, or both, the journey of addiction recovery can be challenging but also incredibly rewarding.

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Alexandra is a mother, a daughter, a sister, a friend and has learned the value of recovery and succeeding in whatever she sets her mind to. Her innovative approach as Director of Operations gives her clients a safe and compassionate place at The Freedom Center to begin their recovery journey. Recovery, on the other hand, is a broader process that involves not just the ridding of substance use but also the rebuilding of one’s life and well-being. It encompasses emotional, mental, and social aspects, focusing on personal growth, coping strategies, and the development of a supportive network.

A veteran of two branches of the U.S. military, Max is continuing his education in healthcare administration. Max began his career in the addiction field working as a group facilitator and teacher, developing and delivering a successful faith-based curriculum in a long-term residential treatment setting. Deirdre graduated in 2012 from Pace University and completed her bachelor’s at Columbia University in New York and has her Master of Science in Family Nurse Practitioner. Deirdre has extensive experience in mental health and treating substance use disorder related issues. In addition, Deirdre has experience in caring for young adults, women’s health issues and adolescents with HIV/AIDS.

Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP)

We learned that many of those demons only grew stronger with the passage of time. Therefore it is so important to make a sharp distinction between abstinence and recovery. Otherwise, we will labor under the false assumption that one will recover through the passage of time.

Recovery is so much more than just putting the substances down. Anyone can https://yourhealthmagazine.net/article/addiction/sober-houses-rules-that-you-should-follow/ put the drugs and drink away for a day and call themselves sober, but not everyone can say they are in recovery. Not everyone can say they have begun the journey to better themselves.

It should not be used in place of the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider. When you are sober, you have eliminated alcohol and drug use from your life. Though you no longer live under the influence of substances, this doesn’t mean that other unhealthy aspects of your life have changed.