The first 90 days of sobriety can come with ups and downs. In many cases, these are the days someone can anticipate focusing on things like getting off drugs and alcohol initially and starting routines like attending therapy or going to support groups. Achieving 90 days of sobriety is a significant milestone in addiction recovery. Accordingly, you might wonder what to expect after the first 90 days of sobriety. Roaring Brook Recovery is here to help. Founded by professionals active in the local recovery community, we provide evidence-based treatment for addiction and co-occurring mental health concerns.
What to Expect after the First 90 Days of Sobriety
What to expect after the first 90 days of sobriety can differ from person to person in some ways. However, there are some common occurrences people share and can look forward to. After your first 90 days of sobriety, you can generally expect:
- Health improvements. People often notice health improvements at the 90-day mark (and beyond – the longer you’re sober, the better). Positive changes in sleep quality, liver function, mood, and other aspects of well-being, like digestive health, are frequently reported.
- Solidified routines. Many people spend the first 90 days sober implementing new, substance-free habits and routines, which can be a big change after active addiction. After the 90-day mark, these routines can start to feel more natural.
- To pursue new goals. After initial abstinence, you’ll likely have the mental space to start focusing on new life goals. These could relate to your career, school, or something else you want to accomplish in life.
- Better relationships. The work you put into rebuilding trust and implementing communication strategies in therapy during your first 90 days sober will often pay off; like routines and habits, these healthier dynamics and approaches to interpersonal relationships can start to feel more natural.
When it comes to what to expect after the first 90 days of sobriety, one thing to keep in mind is that being three months sober does not mean that you don’t need support. We all need support. Staying connected to your support system and using a step-down approach in addiction treatment, if possible, is often ideal.
How Our Programs Can Help
Roaring Brook Recovery offers multiple outpatient treatment options with different time commitments. Here’s a little bit about how our programs can help.
Partial Hospitalization Program
Our partial hospitalization program, or PHP, provides immersive care on an outpatient basis. Clients benefit from working with our close-knit, multidisciplinary team of addiction treatment providers. If you are in PHP, you can expect to participate in treatment five days per week for about four hours per day. Groups, individual therapy sessions, experiential therapies, and other activities, such as family therapy sessions, are used to ensure that you receive truly comprehensive care.
IOP in Lexington, KY
Clients in our intense outpatient program (IOP) in Lexington, KY, participate in therapy four days per week. Treatment sessions last for about three hours per day, but the same effective approach is used. This can help clients transition out of a higher level of care, like PHP. It can also make it possible for individuals to balance responsibilities like work, college classes, or caring for their families with addiction treatment.
Sober Living in Kentucky
Although it is not required that people in our programs stay in sober housing at our center, doing so can be highly advantageous. By opting into sober living in Kentucky at Roaring Brook Recovery, clients benefit from additional support, structure, and accountability that can help them develop habits, skills, and routines that support them not just in the initial stages of sobriety but also as time progresses.
Alumni Program
A well-designed alumni program can help you prevent relapse after treatment is over. Recognizing that every individual has unique needs, our alumni program offers a wide variety of services. Participants can receive ongoing support and guidance from staff, attend regular check-ins, connect through sober social events and activities, and continue learning life skills and tools for long-term recovery maintenance.
Call Roaring Brook Recovery to Find Long-Term Sobriety
We’re here to support you through the first 90 days of sobriety and beyond. Whether you start working with our team after completing a detox and inpatient addiction treatment program or our center is your very first point of contact in the recovery process, our team is proud to be a part of your path to healing. Call Roaring Brook Recovery to find long-term sobriety today at (866) 749-4241.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What can I expect during my first 30 days sober?
During your first 30 days sober, you might go through a range of physical and emotional changes. Within your first day of quitting drugs or alcohol, acute withdrawal symptoms may begin; some people will require a detox program. Fluctuating energy levels, difficulty sleeping, and mood swings are all normal. By the 90-day mark, people can often look back on this time and realize that their quality of life has improved significantly.
Does AA have 90-day chips?
Yes, Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) has 90-day sobriety tokens, also known as chips. In AA, tokens or chips commemorate sobriety anniversaries.
Can I still have drug cravings after 90 days sober?
Yes, absolutely. Even though many people find that drug and alcohol cravings reduce after 90 days sober, it is still completely normal to experience cravings. Skills learned in treatment, sometimes paired with medications for substance use disorders, can help. Make sure that you talk about your cravings with trusted treatment professionals, a sponsor, or other members of your support system; being open about this is the best way to find the tools and solutions that work for you.
Additionally, it is important to be aware that stressors can influence drug cravings at any point in the recovery process. Having support (e.g., a therapist, alumni program participation, 12-step group attendance) can help you navigate increased stress and heightened triggers.
Can the brain recover from substance abuse?
Yes. Drugs and alcohol can seriously affect brain health and function. However, evidence, including PET scans, supports that the brain can recover over time once a person gets sober. The process can be gradual, and many people experience ongoing improvements as time passes. Addiction treatment professionals are aware of how the brain can change due to both substance abuse and recovery, which can inform the treatment process.