How many hours do you need to work on recovery?
That’s a question I don’t hear much. I hear these questions a lot:
- What must I do to stay sober?
- Does sobriety get easier with time?
- What is the difference between sobriety and recovery?
Let’s tackle that first question, though. How many hours of weekly recovery work does it take so stay sober?
I researched this and found several answers from “experts” on recovery:
- 2 hours a week
- 8 hours a week
- 40 hours a week
If you just have to have an answer, I’d suggest a minimum of three hours a week for most of us in recovery:
- 1 hour for a meeting
- 1 hour for Step work
- 1 hour for prayer/reading
But here’s the real answer – do as much as is necessary for where you are in your journey. Then do a little bit more.
Recovery Step: “Redeem the time, because the days are evil” (Ephesians 5:15).
Author: Mark Denison
Mark and Beth Denison, married for 36 years, launched There’s Still Hope as a national movement to call men and women into lives of sexual integrity. Their ministry offers 90-day recovery plans for addicts and one-on-one and group coaching for addicts and their spouses. TSH also produces resources for pastors and churches to confront the porn epidemic that is destroying so many lives.
Dr. Denison was a senior pastor for over 30 years, NBA chaplain, and board chairman at Houston Baptist University three times. With a Master’s Degree in Addiction Recovery, Mark is a certified PSAP and active member of the American Association of Christian Counselors.
Mark has written four books on recovery: Porn in the Pew, 365 Days to Sexual Integrity, A 90-Day Recovery Guide, and 40 Days to Porn-Free Living. His latest book, Jesus on the 12 Steps, will be released later this year.
