Addiction Research Expert William White examines the data known today and suggests that after 5 years of recovery, things seem to stabilize for most people, requiring a greater force at that time to toss them into relapse.

See from his blog below:

For years I have been asked when recovery from alcohol or drug dependence reaches a point of durability, or put another way, “When does recovery today predict recovery for life?” After investigating all of the scientific evidence I could locate on this question, I have regularly responded that this point of durability seems to be reached at 4-5 years of continuous recovery, meaning that less than 15% of those who reach that point will re-experience active addiction within their lifetime (with opioid addiction potentially being closer to the 25% mark). This means that if you reach the 5-year recovery benchmark, your risk of again meeting diagnostic criteria for a substance use disorder is similar to the risk for such a diagnosis within the general population. (Ironically, this 5-year benchmark is strikingly similar to the durability point for cancer remission.) Reaching this benchmark is not the assurance of invulnerability, but it does mark a point at which a much greater force is needed to destabilize recovery. I have used this finding to argue that all persons treated for addiction should be afforded five years of post-treatment recovery checkups (e.g., monitoring and support) on par with that afforded most cancer patients in the U.S.

This email is transcribed from questions that were posed to Harav Miller by the audience at the Thursday night lectures.

Dear GYE,

It's been over a month since I sent GYE my first question,

It was at a time when I was in a state of confusion and tension

Struggling with lust fantasies and masturbation,

I wondered the Torah approach in this equation

I grew up in a frum home full of love,

I was sure I was the only one who struggled with the above

This was my excuse each time I fell,

Any other person I surely didn't tell

But of course the guilt was always there,

And promises of no repeating I did prepare

Yet somehow I always got triggered again,

I started wondering if I was even sane

Behashgocha pratis GYE I did find,

Finally I was shown a way to leave this struggle behind

A reply to my question with a link,

Gave me information and a lot to think

My struggle was discussed, not something unique,

We share so much in common in the area we are weak

I've since joined the 90 day challenge, b"H still clean,

The chizuk emails start my day centered and serene

Connecting to others and sharing on forums provide incredible support and encouragement,

I've gained so many friends and they cheer for each improvement

I am indebted to GYE and Hakadosh Baruch Hu,

For showing me the way and bringing me through

My journey is nowhere near complete,

But now I've learnt the tools for with which the yetzer hara to compete

May Hashem repay you for all the help and support you provide us,

With continued mazal, brocha and success

More than that, that GYE should no longer be necessary,

With these struggles becoming history.

Behakaras hatov.

Do you have a problem with obsessive and compulsive porn use? Have you seriously tried the tools on GYE and feel that you are not getting better? Maybe it’s time to consider joining a 12-Step program.

Porn Anonymous (PA)
If you’re compulsively acting-out with pornography and masturbation we suggest you explore joining Porn Anonymous (PA). If you need help deciding whether to join PA, call Michael at 347-699-2368, or email help@pornanonymous.org to schedule a time to talk. For more information visit pornanonymous.org (Hebrew: p-a.org.il / Yiddish: pa-yid.org).

Sexaholics Anonymous (SA)
If your compulsive acting-out has progressed beyond the screen (with other people, paid sexual services, etc.) we suggest you explore joining Sexaholics Anonymous (SA). To figure out if SA is for you, call Dov at 917-414-8205, or email Dov at dov@guardyoureyes.org to schedule a time to talk. For more information visit www.sa.org.