The Lifecycle of Addiction and Recovery

How long does it take to recover from addiction? Many people who struggle with addiction, and the loved ones who support them through it, may find themselves at a point where they wonder if the recovery journey has an endgame. This is an understandable query, as addiction can affect every facet of a person’s life, and it can affect every facet of a loved one’s life as well.

How Long Would It Take to Break an Addiction? 

Removing substances from the body can be done fairly quickly. The detox process usually takes around a week. A few days without substance abuse and managing withdrawal symptoms, and the body is clear of any drugs and alcohol. But while physical detox is easy, breaking an addiction is difficult. Falling back into old behaviours is part of the recovery process for some people, with the National Institute on Drug Abuse positing that many people will stumble in their recovery.

Sobriety is an ongoing process; even with a professional treatment programme, alcohol or drug abuse can be difficult to overcome. Getting clean isn’t the hard part. The true journey is staying that way. The good news is that most people who receive treatment will recover.

The Five Stages of Addiction Recovery

How long does it take to recover from addiction? Addiction recovery doesn’t happen all at once. Instead, it comes in a variety of stages. These stages are:

Pre-contemplation

This is the first stage of the recovery process, and at this point, people who struggle with addiction aren’t ready for any kind of treatment. At this point in the recovery journey, people who struggle with addiction may be defensive and will try to justify their compulsions. 

People can get stuck at this stage because they may not be aware of their addictive behaviours. Otherwise, they may have attempted to recover at various points, which may have resulted in failure and discouraged them from any further attempts.

One of the most challenging aspects of this stage is denial. Other challenges are resistance to outside advice and hopelessness. At this point, even a person’s closest friends and family may be unable to reach them.

Contemplation

At this stage in recovery, a person may start to consider treatment. They’re ready to start working towards recovery, but may not be ready to take immediate action. At this point, people who struggle with addiction may be aware of the benefits of treatment.

Despite this, they may still believe that there are benefits to substance addiction. This stage is critical, as people who struggle with addiction may be open to outside input and, with a deft hand, can be guided into further addiction treatment.

One of the biggest challenges at this stage in recovery is ambivalence. People at this stage may understand that they have a problem, but they may not be sure if they have it in them to overcome addiction. Guilt and shame may hold them back from seeking treatment.

Preparation

This stage is also sometimes known as ‘determination.’ This is the point where a person may start taking concrete steps toward recovery. They may consider a therapist, or they may even start seeing one. They may also try to stop using alcohol or drugs by themselves.

This may work for a day or two. However, eventually, withdrawal symptoms can become so unbearable that a person starts using alcohol or drugs again. These failures in early recovery can set back recovery and push someone back into either of the two preceding stages.

At this recovery point, a person may be motivated to recover but may also be vulnerable. It’s important to frame external output, such as advice, in a way that directs a person to continue the treatment process.

Action

This is a significant stage in recovery. At this point, a person may have committed to change and may be in inpatient treatment or preparing to do so. People at this stage of recovery may have been sober for a significant period.

People at this point of recovery won’t just stop their destructive behaviour. They’ll actively learn coping skills so they don’t fall back into old behaviour patterns. Professional counselling will be necessary to help someone continue to abstain from drug or alcohol use.

This stage of recovery can be empowering, and people may feel they are taking control over their actions. However, alcohol and drug cravings are common, and people may go through emotional turbulence as they adjust to life without illicit substances.

Maintenance

Recovery is a lifelong journey. This is the stage of recovery where a person goes on that journey and takes steps to prevent a relapse. They’ve undergone treatment, developed coping strategies, and made lifestyle changes.

Cravings may come, but they’ll be relatively rare, especially compared to the other stages of recovery.

One of the biggest obstacles at this stage is complacency. Some people can go so long without using alcohol or drugs that they relax, and they find themselves in situations where they risk a relapse. Some may also get bored. This is precisely why continued support is essential for long-term sobriety.

How Long is the Rehab Process?

The time it takes to get through rehab, whether inpatient or outpatient, varies from one person to another. Inpatient rehab can generally last 30 days, though some residential programmes may last 90 days or more, depending on a person’s needs. Some people may need a longer stay in rehab.

Factors that Can Affect the Timeline

How long does it take to recover from addiction? It varies based on various factors that can influence the time for overcoming substance use disorder. These factors include:

Severity

The severity of a person’s drug or alcohol addiction will be one of the most important factors that affect the recovery timeline. An addict who has engaged in long-term substance use will have a harder time overcoming their alcohol or drug addiction. Habits that have been set will be much harder to break.

Co-Occurring Disorders

Another major factor that can affect the timeline of a person’s recovery is any co-occurring mental health disorders that they may have. Mental health disorders such as depression and anxiety can lead a person to use addictive substances to cope with their disorders. Addiction treatment will have to address these disorders, as unaddressed symptoms may trigger cravings and eventual relapse.

Support System

Support will be important in long-term recovery. This support can come from outpatient treatment options like support groups, but support can also come from the people around an addict. A strong support system is important in relapse prevention, as loved ones can encourage a person to stay sober and hold them accountable when they make choices that may lead to a relapse.

Individual Motivation

Another factor that can affect a person’s recovery timeline is their motivation. Overcoming addiction will require a person to make lifestyle changes and take control of their internal reward system. These changes can be hard to maintain, and people in recovery have to be sufficiently motivated to make and maintain those changes.

Addiction Doesn’t Have to Define Your Whole Life

How long does it take to recover from addiction? It varies from one person to another. Some people may be fortunate enough that one round of rehab is enough. Others may need more time. Regardless, it is a lifelong journey that will require proper treatment. At PROMIS, our programme is tailored to suit individual needs.