A common way of describing reaching one full year without alcohol or other drugs (or without a specific drug, depending on how the person defines it).
In the context of addiction treatment:
This milestone is often celebrated in mutual-help groups and treatment programs as a sign of sustained recovery.
What to know:
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Many people report that the first year involves huge changes in routines, relationships, and self-identity.
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Milestones can motivate people and provide a sense of achievement and hope.
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People may count “clean time” differently (with or without medications like buprenorphine)—there’s no single correct way.
Example:
At a 12-step meeting, someone receives a one-year chip and shares about how their life has changed since getting clean.