While your first day sober is one of the most difficult points in recovery, there will be some other challenges to overcome. You’ll have to complete detox, finish an addiction treatment program, and learn how to stay sober while living independently. All of this happens within your first year of sobriety.
The challenges of the first year of recovery can seem daunting. However, it becomes much easier when you take it one step at a time. Early sobriety is all about learning what works for you, building a support network, and trying out new coping mechanisms to overcome triggers.
If you are newly sober, you might be wondering what to expect in your first year of addiction recovery. Most of the time you will be overcoming challenges like withdrawal, completing treatment, and developing vital coping mechanisms. However, you will also repair relationships that were harmed by substance abuse, celebrate milestones, and learn how to have fun in sobriety.
In this article, you will learn:
- What to expect during early recovery
- What occurs during the first year of your recovery journey
- The importance of each milestone during your first year of sobriety
What Happens During Your First Year Sober?
During your first year of sobriety, you will have many firsts. Some of the things you can expect to experience include:
Overcoming Withdrawal
One of the most difficult moments in your first year of sobriety will be experiencing withdrawal symptoms. If you are in a medical detox program, your doctor will likely give you medications to lessen your symptoms. While this makes it easier, you will still experience some hardships.
During withdrawal, it is common to struggle with intense cravings for the drug you are addicted to. You will have to work with your medical detox program to overcome these urges. Additionally, your mental health might be at a low point, making therapy an important tool to use.
Completing Treatment
After detox, you will begin addiction treatment. This will probably begin 2 weeks after you quit your drug of choice. It can take you 3 months to finish a drug and alcohol rehab program.
During addiction treatment, you will partake in individual therapy, group counseling, and relapse prevention planning. Depending on the program you are in, you might receive holistic care services like yoga, meditation, nutritional counseling, and more.
The goal of an addiction treatment center is to help you overcome the root causes of your substance abuse, develop important skills, and create lasting changes in your life.
Developing Healthier Coping Mechanisms
Even though you develop healthy coping skills during treatment, you will continue to learn new ones long after you finish a rehab program. You will also learn about triggers that make you crave drugs and alcohol. Once you are aware of these triggers, it becomes easier to determine what coping mechanisms work for you.
Building a Support System
In addition to developing coping mechanisms, you will build a support system in early sobriety. Usually, people begin to create their support network after they’ve completed a drug and alcohol rehab program. You might be in your 3rd month of sobriety at this point.
Your support system will likely be found in an addiction support group like 12-step meetings or SMART Recovery. In these programs, you can find like-minded people who are also on the journey of addiction recovery. You might make lifelong friends and important connections that help you remain sober for years to come.
Creating Routines
During your first year of sobriety, a lot of time will be spent creating a routine for yourself. Having a routine is vital, as it keeps you focused on the present instead of ruminating on the past or future. You will have to learn how to balance time with your family members, work, social, and recovery obligations.
It is also important to include self-care in your routines. You want to make sure that you are still engaging in activities that are fun, soothing, and fulfilling for you. While recovery should be a huge part of your life, you should also make space for the things that make you who you are.
Repairing Relationships
When you were in active addiction, your substance abuse likely damaged some relationships. If you are in a 12-step program, part of your recovery journey is making amends. Doing this will help you overcome past harms that you inflicted on your friends and loved ones.
It might take time and patience to repair certain relationships. People you’ve harmed might want to see that you have stayed sober for a specific amount of time before they will accept that you’ve changed. Sometimes it can take the whole first year of sobriety to repair relationships with others.
Celebrating Milestones
During your first year of recovery, you will have many milestones to celebrate. First, you will celebrate having 30 days sober. Soon after you will celebrate 60 days, 90 days, and then 6 months.
Celebrating these milestones helps you stay focused and motivated in your recovery. It also rewards you for all of the effort you have put into bettering yourself and your life. Eventually, you will reach one year sober, which should be celebrated with your friends, loved ones, and recovery support system.
Discovering How to Have Fun While Sober
While a lot of the first year of sobriety is focused on developing healthy coping mechanisms, creating a routine, and building a support system, there is also some fun involved. Aside from celebrating milestones, you need to learn how to have fun without drugs and alcohol. Doing this will prevent you from feeling like sobriety is boring.
Examples of ways to have fun while sober include:
- Outdoorsy activities like hiking, kayaking, and swimming
- Arts and crafts
- Playing team sports with your friends
- Visiting art museums and events
- Seeing live music
- Game nights with family and friends
- Attending local markets and seasonal activities like corn mazes
Get Connected to a Drug and Alcohol Rehab Center
If you or a loved one suffers from addiction, it’s time to seek professional help. At the Mandala Healing Center, we understand how difficult the first year of sobriety can be. We consider this by preparing you for all of the hardships, roadblocks, and accomplishments of the first year of recovery.
Contact us today to learn more about our highly-rated drug and alcohol rehab center.