Teen and Young Adult Recovery Blog

As a no-cost support group, not everyone we work with has gone through some kind of formal substance abuse treatment. However, among those who do, we see the success rates go up dramatically among those who recognize the importance of aftercare.

Aftercare is one of the most important elements of substance use recovery because it provides ongoing support and guidance after completing a treatment program. It helps individuals maintain sobriety, prevent relapse, and navigate the challenges of daily life without turning to substances.

Staying sober for 9 months is a big deal. In many ways, by this point we usually feel that we’ve done it – we got sober! However, there are some specific things we always like to mention to folks with 9 months clean and sober, as this chip is often regarded in 12 step recovery as “the hardest chip to get.”

By the time you’ve got 9 months sober, you will have experienced a profound transformation. Without drugs and alcohol, you’ll have clarity of mind, improved physical health, strengthened relationships, and a newfound sense of purpose.

We’ve all been there. Whether we’re in our first 30 days of recovery or we’ve got multiple years of long term recovery, we’ve all gotten “off the beam” at some point. So, what should we do when sobriety loses its priority?

Just what do we mean by this? Generally, it means that “life” has happened! We’ve gotten busy at work, we’ve become bogged down in schoolwork, we’ve become stressed about money, or perhaps a romantic relationship has taken the “number one” spot in our lives.

One of the most common topics discussed in recovery is the topic of managing fear. Emerging from the haze of drug and alcohol use leaves most of us with a lot of pieces to pick up, and it often feels impossible at first. One of our favorite ways to work through this is to use the acronym for F.E.A.R.: False Evidence Appearing Real.

False Evidence Appearing Real is an acronym suggesting that we perceive threats or dangers as real or imminent, even in the absence of concrete evidence or when the evidence is distorted.

If your next milestone in recovery is 6 months sober, then congratulations! You’ve obviously made massive progress, and it’s likely that certain areas of your life have improved dramatically.

That being said, there’s much more to look forward to around 6 months sober, including physical changes, mental health improvements, and continued strengthening of your relationships.

After 6 months of continuous sobriety, one can typically expect numerous physical and mental health benefits, enhanced emotional stability, and a more fulfilling and stable life. Many individuals experience increased clarity of thought, better relationships, and start to feel growing sense of self-confidence and well-being during this period of recovery.

Recovery from alcohol and drug use is a complex and challenging journey that requires commitment, perseverance, and self-reflection. While there are various factors that contribute to successful recovery, one element that stands out is the importance of honesty.

Honesty in recovery is one of the most basic and useful tools for staying sober, but it’s often easier said than done. Especially in the first 30 days, it can be extremely scary to be honest about what we’ve done and where we’ve been.

It’s common for newcomers to wonder just what honesty has to do with staying sober, and if it’s so important – then what do we need to be honest about, and with whom?

From the first time many of us entered the rooms of 12-step recovery and substance abuse support groups,, we heard people talking about their sponsors, their sponsees, and how valuable those relationships can be. It’s common to wonder whether a 12 step sponsor is a necessary part of the recovery process.

The role of a 12 step sponsor is to guide us through the process of the 12 steps. A sponsor is typically a sober individual who is active in their recovery and has worked or is currently working the 12 Steps. Additionally, they provide their sponsees with support and experience on the many issues that arise through the recovery process.

While there are many factors involved in the decisions that young people make, we find that some of the most significant remained the same over the years. Peer pressure is, and always has been, one of the most significant factors in the decisions teens and young adults make.

Peer pressure plays a significant role in influencing the behavior of teens. The desire to fit in with their peers and gain social acceptance can drive adolescents to engage in risky behaviors such as substance use, even if they may initially find the idea unappealing.

However, there is a less discussed form of peer pressure, known as positive peer pressure. In this article, we’ll discuss both kinds of peer pressure, and provide some practical solutions for parents to utilize as they work with their teens to navigate these trying years.

Breaking free of addiction and substance abuse is very tough business, and one of the most common pieces of advice to many newcomers is to attend 90 meetings in 90 days. This is a seemingly tall order, but what's the point? Turns out, there are very good reasons to consider your 90 in 90:

Attending 90 meetings in 90 days is a common recommendation for newly sober individuals. This intensive schedule of support can provide numerous benefits to help sustain early recovery. First, it helps establish a strong support network of lasting connections among peers in recovery. Second, it provides a structured routine to replace old habits. Third, it offers the opportunity to learn from the experiences and wisdom of others in the program, as well as the opportunity to share one's own journey.

If you’ve succeeded in getting 30 days sober, then the next major milestone in recovery is 90 days sober. Congratulations on the progress you’ve made so far! This is a major milestone and something to be celebrated. It’s important to remember that recovery is a lifelong process, but the first 90 days of addiction recovery can set the foundation for long-term success.

Being sober for 90 days can bring a number of benefits, both for physical and mental health. Family relationships are often beginning to improve, and relationships with peers in recovery will begin to feel more solid.

One of our favorite things as a recovery program is seeing the light come back on in a person’s eyes after they’ve attained some success in recovery. Despite an individual’s life circumstances, this moment often starts around 30 days sober.

We see it day in and day out in our own programs, as well as in local 12 step meetings we attend. Family members see it too, and they make comments to us about it all the time. Interestingly enough, we’ve noticed that often the newcomers themselves are the last people to notice the change. It reminds us of one of the classic passages in the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous:

“Quite often friends of the newcomer are aware of the difference long before he is himself. He finally realizes that he has undergone a profound alteration in his reaction to life; that such a change could hardly have been brought about by himself alone.”
— Alcoholics Anonymous, Pg 567

When people first get sober, they often worry about how they will have fun without alcohol or drugs. This is a totally valid concern! After all, drugs and alcohol were the primary source of fun for almost all of us when we were using substances or in active addiction. Anonymous surveys of teens have continually shown the most commonly cited reason for substance abuse among youth is “to have fun” (42% For many of us, our friendships, tastes in music / movies, and social lives revolved around drugs and getting high.

This is why it’s important to stress the importance of fun in recovery, whether you're in your first 30 days of sobriety or you've been around the recovery world for 20 years! In this article, we will discuss five reasons why you should have fun in sobriety.