The Power of Peer Support: How Sober Living Communities Help You Stay Sober

Staying sober is not an easy task. Everyone’s road to sobriety is unique and special. But there are certain things that help most people achieve sobriety not only in the short term but also for their whole lives.

Rehab programs and therapies like AA are well-known. And for many people they do work. But sober living communities are also growing in popularity.

There are several ways in which sober living communities help achieve long-term sobriety. Here are just a few reasons why living in a sober living community could be right for you.

Less Temptation

It’s harder to abuse drugs when there aren’t any around.

This is one of the main reasons people relapse after leaving rehab. In a rehab center, it’s not easy to get alcohol or other substances. There’s also less temptation and stress than in the outside world. That’s great for the initial recovery phase, but it isn’t sustainable.

As soon as you return to your regular job and family life, the old temptations will creep back in. You can remove alcohol and drugs from your home, but you can’t ask restaurants to do the same.

At a sober living community, everyone is focused on sobriety. You don’t have to worry about being tempted when you go to a friend’s home. And you don’t have to ask anyone not to drink when they’re around you.

If overcoming temptation is difficult for you, staying in a sober living community at least temporarily will help.

High-Quality Treatment

Achieving sobriety without treatment isn’t easy. In fact, becoming sober on your own or cold turkey could be dangerous. In some cases, it could even be life-threatening. Seek a treatment option that has medically supervised detoxes. That way you can be cared for by a medical professional who specializes in treating addiction and substance abuse.

Places like Studio 64 Recovery are a great option.

They have a variety of IOPs, short for intensive outpatient programs. These programs vary slightly from traditional rehab treatments. During a traditional rehab treatment, you live in the center for at least a month. This is hard if you have family or professional obligations. When you undergo treatment at an IOP, you can stay at home. However, there is still a daily obligation. You will probably spend several hours at the center every day.

This helps you prepare for sober living after rehab. In some cases, you might stay in a sober living community while seeking treatment. Traditional rehab centers don’t feel very homey. Sober living communities are designed to make you feel at home. For many people, an IOP is a more practical and affordable option.

Healthy Lifestyle

Recovery is about more than just not drinking or not using drugs. It’s about improving your lifestyle and becoming a healthier person. That refers to physical as well as mental well-being.

Sober living communities offer a variety of sober activities that are designed to encourage a healthy lifestyle. These include exercise and yoga classes, group activities, and maybe even shared meals. The program depends on the community. A lot of activities are also self-organized and depend on the group there at the time. But a sober living community is a great place to make friends. Everyone staying there has a similar goal. You’ll start to feel better as soon as you move in.

Sober Outings

Living in a sober living community forever isn’t usually an option. And it wouldn’t necessarily be the healthiest option, either. It’s important to get back out into the outside world and be with other people. That’s why sober living communities organize outings and outside activities. For example, they might organize a trip to one of the cool parks on this list from Planetware. California is full of wonderful places to see. It would be a shame to always stay in your bubble. And it’s important to learn that you can have fun somewhere while staying sober.

Outreach

Substance abuse is a social and individual problem. People who have an addict in their family are more likely to struggle with addiction than those who don’t. When many people in a community suffer from addiction, it turns into a toxic cycle. Low-income areas and minority communities are particularly affected. Sober living communities initiate outreach programs to break the stigma surrounding addiction and mental health issues.

These grassroots programs are a great way to prevent addiction so that it doesn’t become a problem for the next generation.

Conclusion

There’s no shame in seeking out treatment. In fact, it’s a sign of strength.