{"id":4751,"date":"2026-10-12T06:47:13","date_gmt":"2026-10-12T06:47:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.dragonflymedicalandbehavioralhealth.com\/blog\/?p=4751"},"modified":"2026-10-12T08:05:17","modified_gmt":"2026-10-12T08:05:17","slug":"how-many-attempts-to-get-sober","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.dragonflymedicalandbehavioralhealth.com\/blog\/how-many-attempts-to-get-sober\/","title":{"rendered":"How Many Attempts Does It Usually Take to Get Sober?"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"4751\" class=\"elementor elementor-4751\" data-elementor-post-type=\"post\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1cc47c6 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"1cc47c6\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-84be2e3 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"84be2e3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Most people need more than one try to get sober, and that is completely normal. National research on adults who resolved a serious alcohol or drug problem found that the typical person needed around two serious recovery attempts, while the average across everyone was about five. In other words, needing a few tries is common, not a sign of failure.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you or someone you love has tried to quit drinking before and it didn&#8217;t stick, this number might come as a relief. Recovery is rarely a straight line, and most people who eventually get sober had at least one attempt that didn&#8217;t work out first.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ff402ba e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"ff402ba\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f1d3894 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"f1d3894\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f34d69f e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"f34d69f\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-545d590 image-resize-11 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"545d590\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1080\" height=\"800\" src=\"https:\/\/www.dragonflymedicalandbehavioralhealth.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/how-many-relapses-on-average.webp\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-4755\" alt=\"How Long Does It Take To Really Get Sober\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.dragonflymedicalandbehavioralhealth.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/how-many-relapses-on-average.webp 1080w, https:\/\/www.dragonflymedicalandbehavioralhealth.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/how-many-relapses-on-average-300x222.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.dragonflymedicalandbehavioralhealth.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/how-many-relapses-on-average-1024x759.webp 1024w, https:\/\/www.dragonflymedicalandbehavioralhealth.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/how-many-relapses-on-average-768x569.webp 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1080px) 100vw, 1080px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-46bf33a e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"46bf33a\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0c82ce5 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"0c82ce5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Why Does It Take Most People More Than One Try?<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3b80c4e elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"3b80c4e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Alcohol use disorder changes how the brain responds to stress, reward, and cravings, which makes quitting harder than simply deciding to stop. Each attempt, even one that ends in relapse, often teaches something useful, whether that is a trigger to avoid or a coping tool that actually works. Individual factors like clinical history, other mental health conditions, and how long someone has been drinking heavily all affect how many attempts it might take.<\/span> \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-070a15f e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"070a15f\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4ce2267 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"4ce2267\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">What Counts as a \"Serious Recovery Attempt\"?<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d096c70 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"d096c70\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A serious recovery attempt usually means a real, intentional effort to stop or significantly cut back on drinking, not just a passing thought about quitting. This could include going through <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/dragonflymedicalandbehavioralhealth.com\/blog\/alcohol-withdrawal-and-constipation\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>alcohol withdrawal<\/strong><\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, joining a treatment program, attending group therapy, or committing to sobriety for a meaningful stretch of time. Researchers studying this topic define it this way to separate genuine efforts from casual &#8220;I should probably cut back&#8221; moments.<\/span> \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-93a82b0 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"93a82b0\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Does Relapse Mean Treatment Failed?<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-267ba9a elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"267ba9a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">No. Relapse is a common part of the recovery process, not proof that someone is beyond help. Addiction researchers at the Recovery Research Institute at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School have noted that substance problems are often assumed to require &#8220;seemingly endless tries,&#8221; but their national study found most people actually needed far fewer serious attempts than that stereotype suggests. Framing relapse as data instead of failure helps people stay motivated to try again with a better plan.<\/span> \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9c01675 image-resize-11 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"9c01675\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1080\" height=\"800\" src=\"https:\/\/www.dragonflymedicalandbehavioralhealth.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/what-addiction-has-the-highest-recovery-rate.webp\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-4756\" alt=\"How Many Times Do People Relapse Before Getting Sober\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.dragonflymedicalandbehavioralhealth.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/what-addiction-has-the-highest-recovery-rate.webp 1080w, https:\/\/www.dragonflymedicalandbehavioralhealth.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/what-addiction-has-the-highest-recovery-rate-300x222.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.dragonflymedicalandbehavioralhealth.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/what-addiction-has-the-highest-recovery-rate-1024x759.webp 1024w, https:\/\/www.dragonflymedicalandbehavioralhealth.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/what-addiction-has-the-highest-recovery-rate-768x569.webp 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1080px) 100vw, 1080px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-eb3e8bd elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"eb3e8bd\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">How Alcohol Affects the Body &amp; Why Quitting Is Hard<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3ee2c3a elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"3ee2c3a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Alcohol affects nearly every system in the body, including the brain, liver, heart, and digestive system. Heavy or long-term drinking raises the risk of liver disease, high blood pressure, and heart disease, and it can worsen mood swings and mental health. Because the body and brain adjust to regular alcohol use over time, <\/span><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/dragonflymedicalandbehavioralhealth.com\/blog\/can-quitting-alcohol-cause-stomach-problems\">quitting alcohol<\/a><\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> can trigger uncomfortable physical and psychological symptoms, which is part of why professional support makes such a big difference.<\/span> \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2c9d8d5 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"2c9d8d5\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4cd4441 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"4cd4441\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">How Long Does Alcohol Stay in Your System?<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0ded325 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"0ded325\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The liver processes alcohol at a fairly constant, steady rate, roughly one standard drink per hour for the average adult. This means alcohol leaves the body gradually rather than all at once. Depending on the test used, alcohol or its metabolites can be detected in blood for several hours, in urine for up to a day or two, and in hair for a much longer window, sometimes months, after the last drink.<\/span> \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9eb96cc image-resize-11 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"9eb96cc\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1080\" height=\"800\" src=\"https:\/\/www.dragonflymedicalandbehavioralhealth.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/what-is-the-first-rule-of-sobriety.webp\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-4757\" alt=\"What&apos;s The Hardest Period Of Sobriety\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.dragonflymedicalandbehavioralhealth.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/what-is-the-first-rule-of-sobriety.webp 1080w, https:\/\/www.dragonflymedicalandbehavioralhealth.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/what-is-the-first-rule-of-sobriety-300x222.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.dragonflymedicalandbehavioralhealth.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/what-is-the-first-rule-of-sobriety-1024x759.webp 1024w, https:\/\/www.dragonflymedicalandbehavioralhealth.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/what-is-the-first-rule-of-sobriety-768x569.webp 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1080px) 100vw, 1080px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8ab315b e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"8ab315b\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a577a33 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"a577a33\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">What Is Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC), &amp; How Is It Measured?<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-aa16db3 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"aa16db3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Blood alcohol concentration, or BAC, measures the percentage of alcohol in a person&#8217;s bloodstream. BAC rises as someone drinks and peaks roughly 30 to 90 minutes after the last drink, depending on factors like food intake and body size. In most states, the legal limit for driving is a BAC of 0.08%. Higher BAC levels are linked to slurred speech, poor coordination, and severe confusion, and very high levels can lead to a life-threatening medical emergency that needs immediate emergency care.<\/span> \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5f4d62d elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"5f4d62d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">What Are Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms &amp; Why Do They Make Quitting Harder?<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-abf51bd elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"abf51bd\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When someone who drinks heavily suddenly stops, the body can react with withdrawal symptoms. These can include anxiety, mood swings, trouble sleeping, sweating, nausea, and general psychological distress. In more severe cases, especially for people with a long history of heavy drinking, withdrawal can become dangerous and requires medical supervision. This is one major reason <\/span><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/dragonflymedicalandbehavioralhealth.com\/is-it-safe-to-detox-from-alcohol-at-home\">alcohol detoxing at home<\/a><\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> can be riskier than getting support through a clinical setting.<\/span> \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cc0a6f0 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"cc0a6f0\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d59dcf0 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"d59dcf0\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Schedule Appointment Now<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-bbc2bd4 elementor-align-center elementor-mobile-align-center elementor-icon-list--layout-traditional elementor-list-item-link-full_width elementor-widget elementor-widget-icon-list\" data-id=\"bbc2bd4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"icon-list.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul class=\"elementor-icon-list-items\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"tel:4235889978\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-phone\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M493.4 24.6l-104-24c-11.3-2.6-22.9 3.3-27.5 13.9l-48 112c-4.2 9.8-1.4 21.3 6.9 28l60.6 49.6c-36 76.7-98.9 140.5-177.2 177.2l-49.6-60.6c-6.8-8.3-18.2-11.1-28-6.9l-112 48C3.9 366.5-2 378.1.6 389.4l24 104C27.1 504.2 36.7 512 48 512c256.1 0 464-207.5 464-464 0-11.2-7.7-20.9-18.6-23.4z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">Call Us 423-588-9978<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"tel:8052082919\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-sms\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M256 32C114.6 32 0 125.1 0 240c0 49.6 21.4 95 57 130.7C44.5 421.1 2.7 466 2.2 466.5c-2.2 2.3-2.8 5.7-1.5 8.7 1.3 3 4.1 4.8 7.3 4.8 66.3 0 116-31.8 140.6-51.4 32.7 12.3 69 19.4 107.4 19.4 141.4 0 256-93.1 256-208S397.4 32 256 32zM128.2 304H116c-4.4 0-8-3.6-8-8v-16c0-4.4 3.6-8 8-8h12.3c6 0 10.4-3.5 10.4-6.6 0-1.3-.8-2.7-2.1-3.8l-21.9-18.8c-8.5-7.2-13.3-17.5-13.3-28.1 0-21.3 19-38.6 42.4-38.6H156c4.4 0 8 3.6 8 8v16c0 4.4-3.6 8-8 8h-12.3c-6 0-10.4 3.5-10.4 6.6 0 1.3.8 2.7 2.1 3.8l21.9 18.8c8.5 7.2 13.3 17.5 13.3 28.1.1 21.3-19 38.6-42.4 38.6zm191.8-8c0 4.4-3.6 8-8 8h-16c-4.4 0-8-3.6-8-8v-68.2l-24.8 55.8c-2.9 5.9-11.4 5.9-14.3 0L224 227.8V296c0 4.4-3.6 8-8 8h-16c-4.4 0-8-3.6-8-8V192c0-8.8 7.2-16 16-16h16c6.1 0 11.6 3.4 14.3 8.8l17.7 35.4 17.7-35.4c2.7-5.4 8.3-8.8 14.3-8.8h16c8.8 0 16 7.2 16 16v104zm48.3 8H356c-4.4 0-8-3.6-8-8v-16c0-4.4 3.6-8 8-8h12.3c6 0 10.4-3.5 10.4-6.6 0-1.3-.8-2.7-2.1-3.8l-21.9-18.8c-8.5-7.2-13.3-17.5-13.3-28.1 0-21.3 19-38.6 42.4-38.6H396c4.4 0 8 3.6 8 8v16c0 4.4-3.6 8-8 8h-12.3c-6 0-10.4 3.5-10.4 6.6 0 1.3.8 2.7 2.1 3.8l21.9 18.8c8.5 7.2 13.3 17.5 13.3 28.1.1 21.3-18.9 38.6-42.3 38.6z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">Text us 805-208-2919<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6a5ce7e e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"6a5ce7e\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7ef9f30 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"7ef9f30\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-76a2a8c e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"76a2a8c\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-54e8441 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"54e8441\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">What Increases Someone's Chances of Achieving Long-Term Sobriety?<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1db60e6 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"1db60e6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Evidence-based treatment programs consistently improve someone&#8217;s odds compared to trying to quit alone. Options that tend to help include:<\/span><\/p><ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Group therapy and peer support groups<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Individual counseling to work through underlying triggers<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Medical support for withdrawal symptoms when needed<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ongoing care that offers both substance use recovery and <\/span><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/dragonflymedicalandbehavioralhealth.com\/what-is-outpatient-mental-health-treatment\">mental health treatment<\/a><\/strong><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A strong personal support system of family and friends<\/span><\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6a11e33 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"6a11e33\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tDragonfly Medical &amp; Behavioral Health sees this pattern often. Many patients arrive after one or more previous attempts, and their providers treat that history as useful information rather than a setback, using it to build a stronger, more personalized plan going forward. \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3a7b6fd elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"3a7b6fd\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">When Should Someone Seek Professional or Emergency Help?<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f7cbf41 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"f7cbf41\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If someone is experiencing severe confusion, seizures, hallucinations, or a dangerously fast heart rate while trying to stop drinking, that is a medical emergency and needs immediate care. Even without those extreme symptoms, reaching out to a professional before attempting to quit is one of the smartest steps someone can take, since medical and behavioral health support significantly improves the chances of the attempt actually working.<\/span> \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-26b73e8 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"26b73e8\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d9820e8 image-resize-11 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"d9820e8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1080\" height=\"800\" src=\"https:\/\/www.dragonflymedicalandbehavioralhealth.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/What-is-stage-4-of-recovery.webp\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-4758\" alt=\"How Long Does It Take A Drunk Person To Get Sober\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.dragonflymedicalandbehavioralhealth.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/What-is-stage-4-of-recovery.webp 1080w, https:\/\/www.dragonflymedicalandbehavioralhealth.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/What-is-stage-4-of-recovery-300x222.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.dragonflymedicalandbehavioralhealth.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/What-is-stage-4-of-recovery-1024x759.webp 1024w, https:\/\/www.dragonflymedicalandbehavioralhealth.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/What-is-stage-4-of-recovery-768x569.webp 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1080px) 100vw, 1080px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-78899d1 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"78899d1\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-baf580a elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"baf580a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Final Thoughts<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7971aae elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"7971aae\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Needing more than one attempt to get sober is common, expected, and not a personal failure. National data shows most people succeed after just a handful of serious tries, and every attempt, successful or not, adds to what someone knows about their own recovery. If a past attempt didn&#8217;t work out, that does not erase the effort it took or the progress that came from it.<\/span> \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-00c588c elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"00c588c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Tried Before &amp; Ready to Try Again With the Right Support?<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-62c7fb2 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"62c7fb2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/dragonflymedicalandbehavioralhealth.com\/\">Dragonfly Medical &amp; Behavioral Health<\/a><\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is an outpatient medical and behavioral health clinic that treats substance use and mental health together, using evidence-based approaches instead of a one-size-fits-all plan. Our team, including Dr. Matthew Caffrey, MD, MPH, and Dr. Alicia Caffrey, PhD, offers substance use treatment, individual and <\/span><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/dragonflymedicalandbehavioralhealth.com\/group-support.html\">group counseling<\/a><\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, medication management, <\/span><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/dragonflymedicalandbehavioralhealth.com\/certified-peer-recovery-specialist-services.html\">certified peer recovery<\/a><\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> support, and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/dragonflymedicalandbehavioralhealth.com\/clinical-services.html\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>nursing services<\/strong><\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, all delivered without judgment, no matter how many times someone has tried before.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Call 423-588-9978 to schedule an appointment to take the next step in your recovery journey or visit us at <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/1YPnFErWMf2BxSB8A\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>102 North Broadway Street<\/strong>, <strong>Johnson City, TN 37601<\/strong><\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9a999a9 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"9a999a9\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0909450 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"0909450\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3872f25 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"3872f25\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-97f6854 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"97f6854\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-73eb115 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"73eb115\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">FAQs\n<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-926df2b elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"926df2b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Here are the answers to some commonly asked questions about sobriety.<\/span> \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-300170a elementor-widget elementor-widget-accordion\" data-id=\"300170a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"accordion.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-accordion\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-accordion-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 id=\"elementor-tab-title-5031\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"1\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-5031\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-accordion-title\" tabindex=\"0\">Q1. How long does it take to get sober?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-5031\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"1\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-5031\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A: There&#8217;s no fixed timeline. Physical withdrawal often passes within days to a couple weeks, but sobriety in the fuller sense- rebuilding habits, coping skills, and mental health- is usually described as an ongoing process that can take months to years. Many people find the first year the hardest.<\/span> <\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-accordion-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 id=\"elementor-tab-title-5032\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"2\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-5032\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-accordion-title\" tabindex=\"0\">Q2. How many times do people relapse before getting sober?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-5032\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"2\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-5032\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A: It varies a lot from person to person, and relapse is common rather than a sign of failure. Research suggests most people who eventually reach long-term recovery have had at least one relapse along the way, and some go through several before it sticks.<\/span> <\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-accordion-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 id=\"elementor-tab-title-5033\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"3\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-5033\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-accordion-title\" tabindex=\"0\">Q3. How many steps are there to sobriety?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-5033\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"3\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-5033\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A: If you mean 12-step programs like AA, there are 12 steps. But sobriety itself isn&#8217;t a fixed number of steps; it&#8217;s an ongoing process that looks different for each person and often involves different tools like therapy, support groups, or medical treatment.<\/span> <\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-accordion-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 id=\"elementor-tab-title-5034\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"4\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-5034\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-accordion-title\" tabindex=\"0\">Q4. How long does it take a drunk person to sober up?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-5034\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"4\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-5034\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A: The body metabolizes roughly one standard drink per hour, so feeling more sober depends on how much was consumed and time passing, not anything you can speed up. Coffee, cold showers, or food don&#8217;t actually lower blood alcohol; only time does.<\/span> <\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-accordion-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 id=\"elementor-tab-title-5035\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"5\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-5035\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-accordion-title\" tabindex=\"0\">Q5. What's the hardest period of sobriety?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-5035\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"5\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-5035\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A: Many people say the first 30 to 90 days are toughest, since cravings, mood swings, and adjusting to life without alcohol are strongest early on. Some describe a &#8220;wall&#8221; around 3 to 6 months once the initial motivation fades.<\/span> <\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Most people need more than one try to get sober, and that is completely normal. National research on adults who resolved a serious alcohol or drug problem found that the typical person needed around two serious recovery attempts, while the average across everyone was about five. In other words, needing a few tries is common, [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":3410,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4751","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.dragonflymedicalandbehavioralhealth.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4751","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.dragonflymedicalandbehavioralhealth.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.dragonflymedicalandbehavioralhealth.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.dragonflymedicalandbehavioralhealth.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.dragonflymedicalandbehavioralhealth.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4751"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/www.dragonflymedicalandbehavioralhealth.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4751\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4764,"href":"https:\/\/www.dragonflymedicalandbehavioralhealth.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4751\/revisions\/4764"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.dragonflymedicalandbehavioralhealth.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3410"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.dragonflymedicalandbehavioralhealth.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4751"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.dragonflymedicalandbehavioralhealth.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4751"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.dragonflymedicalandbehavioralhealth.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4751"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}