For many, the availability and importance of support groups for sobriety aren’t very widely known. Once you start to attend support groups, you might hear other attendees talking about a 90-90 challenge.
The 90-90 challenge is when you attend 90 meetings in 90 days which is a highly recommended method that can offer stability, support and is a great way to utilize your time. When continuously going to sobriety meetings, you can create a schedule for yourself. This is important, especially when first venturing down the sober road.
What Do I Gain from Recovery Meetings?
When you go to meetings, it’s a safe space to share your journey and feelings in a nonjudgmental setting. With that feeling of safety, soon comes some close connections. You can create bonds with people who will be there for you when you need encouragement, someone to talk to, and emotional support when challenges come up [4]. This is important as it creates a comfortable environment that people will want to return to.
What this can do for you as you begin your journey of getting sober is it can establish a strong peer support group with people who struggle with the same disease and who are living a life of action and success. Hearing the speaker share what addiction was like, what happened, and what it’s like now can also create a sense of hope and curiosity.
Related: How Peer Recovery Support Can Sustain Lasting Recovery from Alcohol and Drugs
We are the leading experts in alcohol addiction treatment in the Los Angeles, California area. Call us today to get started.
Why 90 days of meetings?
By attending a meeting every day, it makes it easier for you to not drink or use substances because you have this new commitment and priority to make it to a meeting. Perhaps you can substitute drinking one day at a time, with staying sober one day at a time with the help and support of the group. This could be the inspiration you need to feel confident in taking it day by day without taking that first drink.
Although 90 days seems like an incredibly long time, it is statistically proven that the brain can heal itself over time when abstaining from substance use [3]. It takes the brain about 90 days to begin to recover from the effects of addiction [1]. Additionally, 90 days is enough time for the body to begin to heal itself in the liver and manage any other withdrawal symptoms you may be having. Scientific evidence suggests that physical improvements in sleep, appetite, and energy are much more evident once you have given yourself at least 90 days of abstinence [2].
Within that time, and in those meetings, you will be encouraged to get a sponsor and work the 12 steps of recovery. This can open the doorway for emotional and spiritual growth along with a meaningful relationship that models the same techniques as a life coach, a mentor, or a strong pillar in your personal journey.
Related: Why 30-Day Rehab is Not Enough for Long-Lasting Recovery
What kind of sobriety support meetings exist?
When attending meetings, it’s important to understand the difference between speaker meetings and open participation meetings. With speaker meetings, normally a designated person is scheduled to share, this is a great opportunity to listen to others talk about their experiences in a more structured way. If you’re new to sobriety, this can allow you to absorb the information and group settings around you.
Open participation meetings are when anyone can be an active part of the discussion by sharing, asking questions, or more. This is a great opportunity to listen to others or learn how to actively share with the group. It can also get some questions answered or see different perspectives in the recovery process. Getting personal insight into struggles that others face is always imperative to the healing process.
While attending in-person meetings will present more opportunities to build connections and get out of the house, there are also online meetings. If, for some reason, you can’t make it to an in-person meeting, participating online is a great way to stick to 90 meetings in 90 days.
Whether you attend Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, SMART Recovery meetings, or other secular organizations, going to regular meetings will provide opportunities to make friends, receive immediate help, and start building a community with the same values as you.
Clear Behavioral Health’s Therapist Takes on the 90-90 Challenge
Our therapist and certified alcohol and drug counselor, Alicia Molina, shares her thoughts on the 90-90 challenge. “So many times, newcomers feel out of place, or even doubtful that AA is the right fit for them. As a newly sober person, it can be very uncomfortable. But we don’t do this alone.
Within 90 days and acknowledging personal milestones of recovery (30, 60, 90-day chips) you find celebration and an opportunity to be encouraging for other newcomers.
Only those who can relate to the negative impact alcoholism and other addictions have caused on one’s life can truly understand the challenges one faces when they are feeling the guilt, shame, and remorse of the recent wreckage of the past. ‘We say welcome home and keep coming back.’
At 90 days most of us find that staying sober one day at a time, beats dying one day at a time. Now at 12 years sober, I can’t imagine my life without the help of AA. My family is grateful for the newfound friends and support I have found in the AA community. I realized as a recovering alcoholic, that it only gets better year after year.”
~ Alicia Molina, CADC 1
How can Clear Behavioral Health help you?
When you are in early recovery, it’s always important to remember that it’s all about taking one step at a time. The further you walk, the easier each step gets. We know it can be daunting, but Clear Behavioral Health is with you through every transition.
If you feel like attending the meetings is not enough and you need more support with your recovery journey, we do offer various addiction treatment options in the Los Angeles, California area. We provide a full continuum of care to treat substance abuse including medical detox, drug and alcohol rehab, as well as outpatient treatment and dual diagnosis programs.
Residential Detox and Rehab Treatment Programs
When entering Clear Behavioral Health’s residential treatment programs, you may start with our drug and alcohol detox program to safely manage withdrawal symptoms. Once you’re back to a clean slate, you will be transferred over to our drug and alcohol rehab where you will be participating in all aspects of the program.
These aspects include one-on-one therapy, group therapy, and holistic methods. Group therapy is a great opportunity to connect with people who share similar experiences, and they can recommend meetings, or even attend them with you when you complete the program.
Related: The Glow Up Journey: Using Residential Rehab and Alcohol Detox Facilities for Lasting Change
Outpatient Program
After completing residential treatment, we also have an outpatient substance abuse program. While this level of care is optional, we encourage you to continue treatment after rehab. Having access to continued support as you navigate the real world can help you manage addictive behaviors, put your coping skills to use, and continue to build a solid foundation leading to long-term sobriety.
Outpatient treatment offers the flexibility to work and attend your meetings during the 90-90 challenge. During your therapy sessions, you’ll be able to learn real-life coping skills while gaining insight from your therapist to create and maintain a new sober lifestyle. They’ll also be able to help you find meetings and encourage you to attend them.
Related: 5 Benefits of Outpatient Rehab
Learn more about alcohol addiction programs in the Los Angeles, California area. Reach out to our experts today.
Start Your Recovery Journey Today
Recovery is a journey that begins with a single step, and you don’t have to take that step alone. Whether you’re considering the 90-90 challenge, looking for professional treatment options, or simply ready to make a change, there’s an entire community of understanding people waiting to support you.
If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, reach out to Clear Behavioral Health today to learn more about our substance abuse treatments available throughout Los Angeles, CA including medical detox in Redondo Beach, CA, drug and alcohol rehab in Gardena, CA, and outpatient addiction treatment programs. When you’re ready, we would love to support you on your sober journey.
References
- Faces & Voices of Recovery. (2020, July 24). Recovery: The First 90 Days – Faces & Voices of Recovery. https://facesandvoicesofrecovery.org/resource/recovery-the-first-90-days/
- Neuroscience: The Brain in Addiction and Recovery | National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA). (2025, January 6). https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/health-professionals-communities/core-resource-on-alcohol/neuroscience-brain-addiction-and-recovery
- CDorsey. (2024, May 17). Overcoming the fear of attending 12-Step meetings | NDFW. New Directions For Women. https://www.newdirectionsforwomen.org/overcoming-fear-12-step/
- This is your brain on recovery: A look at the brain over time during abstinence after alcohol use disorder. (2025, January 22). Recovery Research Institute. https://www.recoveryanswers.org/research-post/brain-recovery-over-time-abstinence-after-alcohol-use-disorder/
