Many people who seek help for their substance abuse or mental health struggles are faced with uncertainty once the treatment part of their road to recovery is over and it’s time to reenter society. Being part of a sober community can help dissipate these negative feelings while keeping you accountable and encouraging you to focus on the benefits of sobriety.
What Is a Sober Community?
A sober community is a group of like-minded individuals dedicated to maintaining their sobriety and seeking continual treatment and assistance on their journey to lifelong recovery.
You may feel overwhelmed and find reentering society daunting after leaving the structure and routine of a treatment program or rehab. The environment offered by a sober living home is free from substances and provides easy access to support from friends and family members, and people in recovery. This can help you more smoothly transition into a life without addiction and assist you in coping with feelings of depression and anxiety.
Benefits of a Sober Community
After addiction or mental health treatment, you may find that you don’t have a solid support system to help you during your transition period. This is where a sober community comes in. It can help you further your personal growth and provide you with the structure and support you need during your recovery journey.
Other sober living benefits include:
- Access to a support network to help grow meaningful relationships: A sober community is a place where you can create relationships that add value to your life and your recovery.
- Ongoing support and structure for sober habits: Most sober living homes are run by house managers that ensure you follow rules and guidelines that can help you avoid feeling tempted to use again.
- Simplifies the transition to everyday life: A sober community serves as a buffer assisting you with the transition back to everyday life. During your sober living experience, you will learn the life skills required to support you once you move into your own place and enter your old social spheres.
- Reduces the chances of relapse: Being part of a sober community will minimize the chances of relapse because your surroundings are free from possible triggers and you have a group of people to hold you accountable for your decisions.
History of Sober Communities
Sober living houses and communities originated in the late 1940s when a group of Alcoholics Anonymous participants started a “12-step” home. They introduced policies around sobriety and regular attendance to support groups to help give structure to the lives of people in recovery by offering them alcohol- and drug-free living environments.
Types of Sober Communities
There are a variety of sober communities to choose from, including:
- In-person communities are sober communities that focus on helping individuals maintain a sober life through group meetings and therapy.
- Peer support groups offer flexible substance abuse and addiction treatment programs. You will spend time in group therapy and work with others in treatment to help with your own recovery process.
- Virtual communities offer you support if you need to continue with substance abuse treatment but you are unable to attend in-person sessions due to work, lack of transportation, home life, or whatever else may interfere with your ability to attend in person.
- Sober living homes offer accommodation in exchange for monthly rent and attending regular support group meetings. In a sober living home, you’ll be held responsible for staying sober and helping with day-to-day household duties like cleaning, doing laundry, and buying groceries for the house.
How One Touch Recovery Can Help You Stay Sober
If you or a loved one has recently completed an addiction or mental health treatment program and are looking for your next step, One Touch Recovery Center offers individual counseling, group sessions, sober living accommodations, and dedicated information on addiction along with family meetings to help educate your family and friends on the difficulties you may face after returning home from the treatment center.
For more information or to get the help you need to continue your recovery journey, contact us today!
