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It doesn’t matter if you’re early into your recovery from drug or alcohol abuse or have already celebrated the three-year anniversary of your abstinence. When hearing the words “clean” and “sober,” you may find yourself confused by what these words actually mean. Add to that, the conversational phrases “dry,” “straight-edged,” or “on the wagon,” and the definitions become even more blurry. Yes, you get the point, but you still wonder if there is a difference.
At first glance, clean and sober appear to be the same. But are they really? That depends on whom you ask. And that’s where it gets confusing. You see, the best-known recovery support groups, Narcotics Anonymous (NA) and Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) choose different terminology when discussing abstinence.
The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines these terms as follows:
“Sober” is defined in the dictionary as “not having one’s mind affected by alcohol.” This is the preferred terminology of AA. Clean, on the other hand, can be defined as being currently free from drugs or alcohol. However, both terms stretch beyond the scope of their literal definitions, both inside and outside of support groups.
Keep reading to learn more about these differences between the definitions of clean vs sober, as well as how to find help to stop drinking and/or drugging for yourself or for a loved one!
Of course, “sober” is more than just refraining from drinking alcohol or taking drugs. Its synonyms include steady, clear-headed, sober, and level. Two alternate definitions are:
When you look at it that way, the word also includes actively participating in your recovery as well as embracing changes that lead you to behave sensibly, with self-control and self-discipline. In this sense, “sober” also speaks to working the program of recovery and embracing a way of being that encourages sensibleness, self-control, earnestness, and discipline. Remember The Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous? It states that “alcohol was but a symptom.”
Thus, “sober” is both a mindset and a behavior.
On the flip side, “Clean” has other inferred meanings. “Clean” is a theme heard over and over again in both NA and CA (Cocaine Anonymous) groups. The term clean refers to someone who is currently free of drugs; however, they aren’t necessarily actively participating in a recovery program. In short, they are not currently doing any of the following to help with staying clean:
The danger in this is that each of those activities is important to deter a relapse! Without actively working on recovery, the person is at risk for relapse. This is why many sober people will continue to participate in these activities, even if they haven’t touched drugs or alcohol in years.
The expert team with the National Institute on Drug Abuse encourages people in recovery to take advantage of support groups and states, “These groups can be particularly helpful during recovery, offering an added layer of community-level social support to help people achieve and maintain abstinence and other healthy lifestyle behaviors over the course of a lifetime.”
There are many reasons why someone may begin abusing harmful substances. They may have old wounds that are creating painful thoughts and feelings, and use drugs or alcohol to cope with this. In other cases, they may drink or use drugs socially, thinking it will earn them credit amongst their peers.
This “profitable” use is more common amongst younger individuals, or those working in careers where society has glamorized the idea of substance abuse and addiction. However, that first drink or first hit can quickly spiral into something much worse.
No matter what the reason a person began using is, it is never too late to get help. While many people may be afraid to reach out and get help, this is essential for them to be able to lead happy, healthy, and sustainable lives.
If you are struggling with a substance use disorder and want to stop using for good, seeking professional treatment can help you get and stay sober. When recovering through these rehab programs, you can learn to let go of your old patterns of addiction and learn new behaviors that support a healthy lifestyle that helps you stay clean.
Drug and alcohol abuse can hold an overbearing weight on your life and deal a serious blow to your self-esteem. You may find comfort in knowing that so many people have been right where you are now, and they were able to overcome their substance abuse and reclaim their lives.
The first step to putting your addiction in the past is to dig deep and make the decision to get help. Whether recovering at an inpatient/residential treatment center or outpatient recovery program, you can regain control of your body and your life’s terms and make sobriety a reality.
When looking for long-term sobriety, your best option will be to seek out a professional treatment provider. With evidence-based rehabilitation programs, you can not only treat your surface-level addiction but the underlying causes of this behavior as well.
Effective rehab facilities will offer their clients a full continuum of care in order to make sure they are receiving the most comprehensive treatment possible. There are seven levels of care that typically go into the rehab process. These include:
There is a significant level of self-satisfaction that comes with getting clean and sober. Of course, recovery is not a journey that is meant to be spent alone. Building a healthy and supportive community can help keep you dedicated to your sobriety and get you through the rough patches that may come up along the way.
Having a healthy recovery community can even help open up a new job market for you, and help you get back on your feet financially. Picking up new hobbies can also help relieve boredom and serve as a healthy distraction when you are experiencing substance cravings or a potentially triggering situation.
Whether you decide to join recovery support groups, such as AA or NA, or even repair broken bridges left behind by your addiction, building a healthy and mutually supportive recovery community can be crucial for maintaining long-term sobriety.
Let’s summarize. You are considered “clean” if you are free of alcohol, drugs, or mind-altering substances. However, you are not considered “sober” if you are not engaging in your recovery. So, “clean” can mean that while you are not using drugs or alcohol at the moment, you might not have discovered the root of your problem or overcome your addiction.
Now the question becomes this. How do you (or a loved one) describe your recovery in terms of being clean vs sober? Do you want to achieve a life that’s both clean and sober? The Rehabs Of Armerica team can help you get there. Call our 24/7 addiction helpline today, and we will give you information on treatment programs, advice on getting clean, and a path to long-term recovery.
