Clean Time
The duration of time a person has been free from substance use. Clean time is tracked from the last date of use and celebrated at key milestones.
Clean time is one of the most important concepts in recovery. It represents the unbroken period since a person last used drugs or alcohol, measured from their "sobriety date" — the last day they used.
In Narcotics Anonymous (NA), the term "clean time" is preferred over "sober time," reflecting the program's focus on all substances, not just alcohol. In AA, the equivalent term is "sobriety" or "sober time."
Celebrating clean time milestones is a core tradition in 12-step programs. Milestones are typically marked at 24 hours, 30 days, 60 days, 90 days, 6 months, 9 months, 1 year, and annually thereafter. Each milestone is often commemorated with a coin, chip, or key tag.
Clean time is not a competition — it's a personal measure of progress. Whether someone has 24 hours or 24 years, their clean time is equally valuable.