Recovery from alcohol and drug addiction can be full of ups and downs. You can stay sober for years and relapse after the sudden loss of a loved one. The longer an alcoholic stays sober, the better their chances of staying sober in the long term. Overall, among people who are sober for five years, the chances of relapse are less than 15%, according to Psychology Today.
While how long a person stays “drunk” varies, the average moderately intoxicated person will likely be sober in 6 to 8 hours. If it takes much longer, the person must be (or should have been) hospitalized. Unfortunately, relapse rates for people recovering from drug or alcohol addiction are quite high. Studies show that between 40 and 60% of people relapse within 30 days of leaving an inpatient drug and alcohol treatment center, and up to 85% relapse within the first year.
It's important for people struggling with alcohol or other substance dependency to recognize the high risk of relapse, to be aware of their personal triggers, and to learn to deal with their triggers and emotions in a healthy way. By understanding the common relapse risks of addiction, people can be better equipped and better able to maintain their recovery. Here's a list of 10 common triggers that contribute to addiction relapse. In general, people can stay in sober homes for as long as they want if they continue to follow the house rules.
Sober living homes are often the last transition before returning home, and staying in them for a longer period of time can improve the foundation for long-term recovery. The Journal of Psychoactive Drugs reported on a few different types of homes for sober people and found that the average stay was between 166 and 254 days.