Mountainmanbob

I think that many that I know in the Recovery field consider long term sobriety to be 10 years sober and over ? My sponsor refers to these ones as ones who have gotten into double digits.

After much thought I (for today) would think that long term sobriety starts at around the 5 year sober mark ?

It's all just a matter of opinion.
Really has not much to do with staying sober today.
But, I have found that, any thoughts regarding sobriety are good thoughts.

A nice sober day wished for all,
M-Bob

MIRecovery

I voted 5 based on me. My daughter died on my 5 year anniversary. If I was going to drink her death would have done it. Here i am, trying to pick up the pieces of a shattered life but I'm doing it sober.

BrendaChenowyth

Why does this matter? In a certain state of mind, this could be discouraging to someone with a week.. or a month.. or 90 days..

CAPTAINZING2000

Everyone starts a journey on day one

Mountainmanbob

as stated it really doesn't

resolute50

I would say 5 or more years.

Mountainmanbob

As voted thats also what I think today 5 years.

And then I also look back to those early days of sobriety and oh how I looked forward to and prayed to see that one year token. It's nice to also see those votes for the one year -- brings back many early sober memories.

A nice sober day wished for all,
M-Bob

GnikNus

I would consider anyone who has stopped drinking for year or two,and who has not relapsed and has no intention of ever drinking again in long term sobriety.

STDragon

Seeing as how I once did a year sober then jumped off the wagon, I'd have to vote 5 years. Although, there was no intention of long term sobriety the first go 'round. Not like I have today.

bradly22

Two years.

Mountainmanbob

I was thinking back when a very drunk, drunk stumbled into my home group AA meeting on one early morning. He was with his girlfriend. My sponsor and I talked with him for a while. The poor guy was beyond clueless and stated that he had been in that condition for many, many years. We talked with him regarding recovery and all he said that he wanted to do was, "have his girlfriend take him to the liquor store and get another bottle -- fast." They left and we never saw them again.

To him 30 days sober might have sounded like long term sobriety.

We are grateful that we are not in his position today.
By the Grace of God there go I.

M-Bob

zerothehero

I've been told by some folks who work at treatment or recovery centers that the rule is two years of sobriety. Those who relapse or don't have at least two years are not considered qualified to work at the center. Based on my experience this seems a pretty good rule of thumb. I didn't feel solid until I passed two years.

least

Five years.

gatorman

I voted for 5 years. I know when I quite smoking I considered 5 years as long term and knew at that point I would never smoke again.

LadyBlue0527

I'm pondering what the definition of long term should be.

If you define it as the point in time where a person can feel completely comfortable that they've made it to a certain safe point the answer to that is never. The likelihood may be less but we can never stop being mindful that all it takes is one sip and we could be right back at it.

Then, I can absolutely say I know two people who have the same amount of time without drinking or drugging where I would consider one to be in long term sobriety but not the other due to their mindsets and actions.

I think the answer is a personal one. Hard to say. I did vote but I based my answer on 1 year for a reason. You've done a year of "firsts". At that point you've most likely gone through all the holidays, attended at least one event that's alcohol laden, have bypassed your birthday, and anniversaries of deaths to people close to you. Finally, have probably come up against at least a few challenging things where previously you would have drank and you are now able to make it through without. Nothing about sobriety is brand new at this point anymore (for most).

Still, that's a really hard question to answer.

Db1105

My first 24 hours were my longest term of being sober. I didn't think I could do it.
There is also another issue of being sober and being without a drink. I'll wait for the non of the above to check off. Its all a matter of one's own perspective.

TaniksHunter

I voted for all of them because I feel like after a year, you start realizing you do not need alcohol. And the years after that are reaffirmation of that.

Aellyce

I never know what to really think about this. For me, it's much more about quality rather than quantity, so it matters far more that someone's sobriety is fulfilling and a meaningful form of life rather than how long it's been.

SoberCAH

I would have said 5 years even if I had started this thread (and not seen all of the concurring opinions).

The days, months and years add up when I try to humbly learn and do God's will every day (11th step).

I found the notion of being a newcomer rather discouraging when I was new in sobriety, but I really had no other choice than to work the program.

That's when the sober time started piling up.

Thanks for sharing your personal tragedy, MI.

It's hard to imagine that kind of loss.

lillyknitting

I totally agree. The thought of reaching it could be off-putting as sometimes just getting through a day can be hard enough.