Overcoming addiction is difficult. The battle does not stop after you leave drug rehab. That is why many people hire a sober coach, also known as a sober companion. But what exactly is a sober companion?
A sober companion is a professional who will help you stay on track while on the road to addiction recovery. The main goal of sober companionship is to prevent a relapse. A sober companion can escort you to and from places to ensure that you stay on track during the early stages of recovery. They can also move in your home and supervise you.
What Does a Sober Companion do?
Sober companions are a relatively new concept. However, there have already been studies done to show that it can be effective. There was a study published in the Annals of Clinical Psychiatry that examined the factors that caused people to relapse. The most common cause was impulsive action with an unknown cause.
This means that people were on the path to overcoming an addiction. However, they ended up going back to the drug and did not understand why. Sober coaches can help people identify the factors that may lead to a relapse. They can also teach people how to avoid those triggers.
For example, many people are tempted to drink when they are out with friends. Sober coaches can show people that they can have a good time without drinking or abusing drugs.
Accountability
The sheer presence of a sober companion in your life can help you avoid a relapse. They can make regular sweeps of your home to ensure the absence of alcohol or drugs. They can also monitor the people with whom you spend time. Cognizance of who might be potentially toxic to your recovery proves beneficial.
A person in recovery who typically attends support groups or other appointments alone may feel a real temptation to indulge in using drugs or drinking. Having a sober partner who drives you to the meeting, waits outside, and then drives you home removes that window of opportunity. They can also help you process any urges you have before they turn into actions. Talk to your sober companion about how they can be physically present when you may most need their support.
You can also make a pact about how to handle experiencing the risk of making a poor decision in a vulnerable moment. Agree that you will call or text them before you do anything. This accountability can be the catalyst for bypassing the urge and staying sober.
Reliability
Your sober companion is someone you can call anytime that you need them. They can encourage you to develop healthy habits that will help you stay on the road to recovery. They can also watch over and make sure that you are not developing any bad habits. Additionally, your companion can make sure that drugs and alcohol are kept out of sight.
There is a lot more to overcoming addiction than just inpatient treatment. You have to continue to make the right choices. Sober coaching can help you stay on the right track.
Practical Assistance
A sober companion can help with tasks on your To-Do List. In recovery, you have your hands full working on the emotional angles and dealing with any urges to relapse.
Your sober companion can handle the more functional requirements. Part of their job is to act as a personal assistant to make sure you get things done. Some of the tasks they can accomplish include:
– Scheduling appointments related to your well-being
– Creating a recovery meeting schedule
– Providing transportation for your meetings and appointments
– Keeping you updated on what there is to do each day
– Helping with relapse prevention planning
Combat Feeling Alone
People who choose recovery often find they feel they will be going it alone. The idea of making difficult choices and following through on them can be intimidating. Introducing a sober companion to your recovery process helps you feel like you’ve got a partner.
When you are feeling unsure of yourself, they are there to provide cheerleading services. When you feel like no one else understands the moments of loneliness you may experience, they know how to handle that. Sober companions can hold your hand, answer their phone at all hours, and make sure you don’t feel alone in your recovery process.
Objectivity
Having support from family and friends gives a real boost to those in recovery. Their belief in a person can elevate them and help them make progress. However, limits can arise in this arena. People tend to experience the illness and recovery of their loved ones on a personal level. This can affect their ability to be objective.
The scope of assistance a sober companion can offer includes objectivity. A sober companion doesn’t take someone else’s sobriety personally. They likely did not know the person they are assisting before they decided to detoxify and enter recovery. This removes any possibility of a sober companion having old wounds related to past events.
As far as a sober companion is concerned, they are meeting the new you. Your paths are converging just as you begin to heal. At times, your past may serve as a catalyst for inspiring you to stay in recovery. The difference is your past is a history a sober companion has not witnessed. There can be something refreshing and inspirational about this for the person in recovery.
They have not seen you on your worst day, but they will definitely see you shining on some of your best days. This phenomenon can help you retrain your own eyes to see the new you that is moving mountains.
Do I Need a Sober Companion?
Only you can decide whether you need a companion. However, your therapist, doctor and other mental health professionals who are helping your recovery efforts may recommend that you get one. If a trusted source recommends that you hire a sober companion, it is worth taking it into consideration. Your companion can make addiction recovery easier.
There are several reasons that a companion may be recommended. For example, sober coaches are often recommended for people who suffer from a mental illness. Fifty percent of people who have a mental illness abuse drugs and alcohol. They are also more likely to relapse.
If someone lives in a home where drugs or alcohol are being abused, then they may be advised to hire a sober companion. It is a lot harder for a person to stay clean when they live in an environment where drugs and alcohol are present.
Finding a Sober Companion in California
If you or someone you love needs help with an addiction to drugs or alcohol, MD Home Detox can help. At MD Home Detox, we believe in the power of a recovery companion to help you successfully detox and transition into the next phase of your recovery journey. We offer a detoxification program in the privacy of your own home and our team can provide a sober companion to assist you in a variety of ways to help you grow throughout your early recovery. To learn more about what a sober companion is or how one can help you recover, call us at (888) 592-8541. To get started towards beginning your detoxification, contact us here to email our team.