Dec 2, 2013 | By Tim Stoddart

Your First Year in Recovery: What to Expect

Personal Addiction Recovery Stories

first year in recoveryQuitting drugs or alcohol, either by entering a detox center or doing it on your own, is just the first step in the long journey that is recovery. The first year in recovery is the most tumultuous, and everyone’s recovery is unique. There is no exact formula that works for everyone. There are, however, many things that can be expected regarding your first year in recovery.

Post-Acute Withdrawal Symptoms

Once you’ve gotten through the initial physical withdrawal symptoms, post-acute withdrawal symptoms (PAWS) are more consistent concerns throughout your first year in recovery. PAWS can last from six months to two years, and they occur as your brain continues to repair itself of the damage your addiction caused. PAWS include difficulty in thinking clearly, managing emotions, recognizing stress, and sleeping restfully, as well as difficulty with physical coordination and memory.

Getting Support

PAWS are some of the main reasons why it’s so important to build a strong support network and trust the advice of addiction professionals and people who have been in recovery longer than you. Support can come in the form of understanding family members and friends, addiction fellowships, group counseling, therapy, and doctors. You aren’t used to handling life without drugs or alcohol, so you must be willing to ask for help when you need it.

Depression and Overconfidence

There are many emotions that you’ll experience during your first year in recovery, but depression and overconfidence are two emotions that are particularly important to expect and address. Depression is common, especially in the first few weeks of recovery. If it lasts much longer than that, or if it’s so severe that you’re having thoughts of suicide or self-harm, you should talk to your therapist or another mental health professional as soon as possible.

Several months into your first year in recovery, you might start feeling overconfident and thinking that you’re doing so well that you don’t need to follow a program or work on your recovery anymore. Overconfidence is dangerous, because you can take your focus off of your recovery, and you’ll be more likely to relapse.

Routines and Decision-Making

During your first year in recovery, it’s helpful to have a routine. Scheduling your days (including therapy, fellowship meetings, time for meditation, etc.) will help you adjust to your new life in recovery. Planning rather than being spontaneous is a critical skill to learn. You should also be careful not to take on more responsibilities than you can handle.

One of the best pieces of advice for people in their first year in recovery is to avoid making any unnecessary major life changes (unless a major change is necessary for your safety or recovery), like moving or changing jobs. It’s common for people to regret major changes they made during their first year in recovery before they were thinking more clearly. You need to learn and practice healthy decision-making, which often starts by deciding to avoid people, places, or things that you associate with drugs or alcohol and that could threaten your recovery.

11 responses to “Your First Year in Recovery: What to Expect

  • I cannot stress enough the importance of support in your first year and the years after. I could not do recovery alone, I tried many times and failed. Also listening to those that have more time and getting involved in recovery activities, church, any activities that do not involve drugs or alcohol. My final word is, do not give up, because you can do it.

  • I just celebrated my first year of sobriety on November 28th…I must admit the first year was a challenging year… I had to physically leave my hometown when I quit drinking…It was my bellybutton birthday and the holidays coming up and I knew I would keep drinking or start up again..I detoxed myself for a few months and went back home..I knew I had to remain true to myself and stay away from the places, faces and things to stay clean and sober..alot of people thought I was being a snob, but I didn’t care, I came to believe what other people thought of me was none of my business…I went to a treatment center..it was my 3rd time…I learned that in order to take of myself, no one else could or would..it had to be me..taking care of me.. going to meetings and finding out who your true friends and family are..So today I remain true to myself and don’t play head games with myself..I still don’t go to those places, faces and things when I drank…It is One Day at a Time.. and the Serenity Prayer that help me daily..Dont’ Stop Believing in yourself..Only you can Love You..

  • Jim Loran

    10 years ago

    My advice for a person in their first year comes from more than a few st year experiences of my own. 1st, get connected through regular attendance and service. I found a meeting I liked and showed up every week. The home group members suggested that I start out being of service by being the greeter. As nervous as I was it turned out to be a great way to meet people and I quickly made friends. I found a sponsor right away and followed his lead. We began work through the steps immediately. When I’m asked to share at a meeting or be of service I do it. Maybe one of the most helpful things I did in my first year was not to beat myself up. Acceptance and some humility gave me clear direction. All in all, I surrounded myself with recovery.

  • Keep it simple. Make sobriety your # 1 priority. Read up on post-acute withdrawl symptoms so you can understand what you’re experiencing those first few critical weeks and months. Understand that it will get much, much easier not to use down the road. Understand you cannot have just one, no matter your drug of choice and switching to another drug will simply get you back to your drug of choice. Go to mtgs and work the steps to the best of your ability and if not that find some kind of other healthy support group where you can get help and maintain honesty. Allow yourself to acknowledge that it’s time for change in the areas of attitudes and behaviors…and enjoy the adventure of becoming the person you were actually meant to be! Lighten up, don’t take yourself too seriously and give yourself a good ol pat on your back for every day clean and dry. You have SO much to look forward to!

  • Terri Palm

    10 years ago

    By the Grace of God, AA & sponsorship, I haven’t had 2 take a drink since July 17, 2006. The first year of sobriety was tough for me…no doubt about it. It was “suggested” that I follow the direction of those who have gone before me…..change people, places & things, find a home group, find a spoonsor, go to as many meetings as I possibly could. After all, I drank every day. Keep it simple, get a list of phone numbers of other folks in recovery…..& actually “USE” the phone list. I had 2 learn how 2 b kind to myself & change my inner dialogue. I was willing to go to any length to use…I have to be willing to go to any length to remain in recovery….One Day at a Time. I LOVE SOBRIETY….& it gets better every day. I don’t want my misery refunded.

  • I am about a year and a half and from my experience I had a flooding of emotions..focused and connected one min and squirrel brained the next…it was most helpful to have support reminding me that it was normal (my normal) and to feel the feelings but to remember they are not reality just feelings…that all things will pass…my first year I focused on telling the truth..walking through the fear of situation and just doing it…the 12 steps…for me the first year was all about the awakening that this is just life and I’m living it..simple no drama necessary (lol) not always easy…and learning to do the next right thing!!

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