Life was a mess during active drinking. The pain and suffering wasn’t going any where even while I was using. I hear a lot of people saying the drink or drug freed them from pain but for me the pain was there just allowed me to do lots of negative things. I never wanted to get sober, it was a painful and fun time while active. There wasn’t anything good happening in life everything was just going down hill. When facing life on life’s terms during my active using I would go and drink until I blackout and get real violent. I didn’t know how to handle life or even myself. Once I became honest and accepted the fact I really had a problem that nobody could help me stay sober the door started opening a little. Being patient was a hard one for me I was that angry little boy running and running my whole life and couldn’t stay still. They say if you willing to go to go to any length to stay sober and once I agreed on that I started having hope. Having someone that believed in me when I didn’t even believe in myself open my eyes. The darkness was still there but the digging stopped. I had to change everything. I had to ask for help listen to others that been sober for a few 24 hours and start actually living in the day. Gain some courage to do uncomfortable things to get comfortable in my own skin. The guidance of a sponsor through some work of 12 steps and prayers to a higher power helped me take life serious. I am so Grateful that today one day at a time, prayers, reaching out to people asking for help and staying spiritually fit in my program I have a chance today to stay sober. Being in recovery is something new to me but also is a big part of my life today. I have had a few real tough times in my recovery with deaths in my family. Thankful I have tools today that allow me to do something different instead of picking up that drink or drug. When I lost my step dad it put me in a bad place and all I did was cry and cry. I am so glad I have grew up and learned that I am going to have bad days and good days but I as long as I pray to my higher power and talk to someone in recovery that has been there I can survive the day. That is all I have is 24 hours to stay sober. I have hope today faith and love and as long as I keep it in the day and stay humble I have another chance for the next day. So if you are new to the recovery life prayers meditation asking for help going to meetings and doing some action you have another chance to stay sober. If nobody has told you I believe in you. If I can do it you can do it also. Thank You for allowing me to be apart of recovery and service to you.

Let me say this if you are stuck in the depth of addiction; there is help for you. I can say that I first got sober and spent my first nine months of recovery stuck in my home. I was afraid to leave my house, worried I might run into an old buddy, and my daily anxiety was unbelievable. How would I ever bring in a New Year and enjoy what I once lost?

After struggling for nine months and being a dry drunk, I climbed out of my hole and went to Celebrate Recovery. Celebrate Recovery is where I found myself and realized I was not walking this walk alone. For the longest, I believed there was no help. Know there is help, and we want to walk this thing we call recovery with you.

At Celebrate Recovery, I found a place that I call home. I feel welcomed, I found my forever family, and I am loved and supported. I now realize that I am not tied down to a title as an addict. My title at Celebrate Recovery is “my name is Melissa, and I am in recovery for drug addiction and alcoholism, and I struggle with depression and codependency. Do you know how great it feels not to be tied down by a title or walk alone?

If you are still struggling with addiction of any form or any hurt, habit, or hang-up, I recommend you look up Celebrate Recovery; thousands are located all over the United States. Please do not sit another day tied down to the addiction that is taking you away from your family. Your family loves you too much to watch you suffer another day.

Written by: Melissa Pena

A MESSAGE FROM OUR CEO: Dr. Harold Jonas PHD

The year started with little fanfare but much anticipation. We spent resources updating all the software of our various platforms and focusing on our newest project, the Sober Podcast. Momentum is growing and listeners were demanding new content. The Sober Network is determined to carve out leadership in our niche.

Kerry, our now producer started as host and soon found a professional voice in Howie Marlin. His professionalism pushed us to improve. We soon outgrow him to find our current host, Jamie Brickhouse. Jamie is a published author and professional book editor who is heavily invested in “giving voice to recovery.” 

Our coach training platform thrived, making inroads into the criminal justice system in Idaho. We have our second and third classes starting to train peer coaches in the newly created Forensics Coach model of prisoners assisting prisoners.

Sobercoin thrived under the leadership of James Costello. We moved from the Stellar blockchain onto the Binance Network, pegging the value of Sobercoin to a stable crypto currency with a proven track record. It is holding near $5.00 earned through signing up and checking in daily on our SoberSystems App.

We have users earning with the intent to buy coaching services or training to be a coach. Participants gain the opportunity for trading their Sobercoin for educational modules and services. 

No other platform has created their own SOBER ECONOMY!

Only in the SOBERVERSE can you earn RECOVERY CAPITAL, it is the place to get and stay better!!

Administrative Department: Heather Oister

Hello!  The last few years have definitely changed the world and how we all live our lives.  Our social habits were altered and the way we interact with the world has changed.  Some agencies haven’t even returned to working in the office and still have people working from home.  However, even if we do not leave the house, people still need help with recovering from addictions, disabilities, emotions, mental health issues, and more!  This creates an interesting opportunity for the increase in needs of help from home.  It is a great time to seek out the help of a Recovery Coach or become one yourself!

Sober Network has been providing online Recovery Coaching (or Sober Coaching) education for years now and we are just getting started!  Recently, we have received an influx in coaching education requests from various parts of the United States, inside prisons and even a few foreign countries!  Exciting changes are coming about, and Sober Network is evolving to meet the demands.  Our newest educational course is The Forensics Peer Specialist Prep Course.  (You did read that right earlier by the way.  We have put education in the hands of inmates to give them a career path when they exit the prison system.  How cool is that?)

And, as always, AJ has been busy making tons of biscuits sending smiles and hope to those who need it.  Thanks for a great 2022 and here is to an even better 2023!  May we all take a moment to be thankful for what we have and live in the moment with gratitude.  

“Be the change you wish to see in the world.” – Mahatma Gandhi

Social Media Manager: Crissy Sinople

It’s that time of year! Time to reflect on the year that was and look at our social media performance. Here at Sober Network, we are proud to say we saw significant increases across the board. Here’s a rundown of how we helped people on our social media platforms this year.

Helped cultivate each platform to increase engagement: We want people in recovery to know that they’re not alone and that a supportive community is waiting for them online. That is why we prioritize posting engaging, creative, and on-brand content and staying active in comments and conversations. We also work hard to create a safe and welcoming space for everyone.

Met expected goals: Our number one goal is always to help as many people as possible, and we are proud to say that we met all our goals this year. From increasing our followers to aiding people in finding resources for addiction treatment, we made a difference in the lives of countless people.

Helped the sober community: One of my favorite parts of this job is interacting with the sober community online. I love seeing people celebrate their sobriety milestones, sharing their stories of recovery, and offering support and encouragement to others. I feel privileged to be a part of this community, and we look forward to continuing to grow it in the years ahead.

Successful promotion of our SoberVerse rewards program: SoberVerse offers a rewards program designed to incentivize people in recovery to stay engaged with our site and active in their recovery. This year, we promoted the program extensively on social media and are thrilled with the results. I am excited to see even more growth in the year ahead.

Helped people find addiction resources for treatment facilities: One of our main goals at Sober Network is to make available resources for addiction treatment. This year, we promoted our directory of treatment facilities and connected people in need with resources they might not have otherwise been able to access. We are proud of the difference we made this year and look forward to continuing this work in the years ahead.

It has been a fantastic year here at Sober Network, and I am grateful for everything we have accomplished as a team. Be sure to follow us on all our social media platforms so you get all the announcements and updates!

I wish you a happy holiday and a prosperous new year. See you in 2023!

Crypto Manager: James Costello

Over the past few years, we have been constantly tweaking Sobercoin to develop the best recovery-based currency currently available. When I started, we were still utilizing the Stellar Network. We tested and modified the token countless times on the Stellar network. We did a few airdrop campaigns to try to maximize engagement with the community. At the time, Stellar did not have AMM’s (Automated Market Makers). Due to this, we could not efficiently maintain order book flow. AMM’s allow for two parties to swap into and out of different crypto’s without the need for a traditional order book.

We decided it was best to move the entire project back over to ERC20 standards created and reissued the token on the Binance Smart Chain. We then created a liquidity pool for potential clients and customers to be able to easily access the tokens. AMM’s and the matching algorithm allows for quick swaps with low slippage.

Next, we began to educate people about decentralized wallets and how to access the tokens. We actively engaged with CoinGecko and CMP to have our token listed. We have been able to successfully manage the move and have been slowly integrating clients to our wallet.

Sobercoin continues to grow. We will continue to build out our existing blockchain to fit the needs of our customers. Currently, we are working with smaller exchanges to get to the bigger ones. We are working on a way now that may allow us to offer promotions directly at time of token sale.

Brand Engagement: Michael Ewing

We started putting together the Sober Network several years ago. It started very slowly as we built the foundation and then the individual pillars of the network. Then, we deployed each one as we learned and evolved. Finally, we were testing how to integrate it all into one powerful network. The goal is to build an integrated network that combines practical behavioral tools with technology and engagement. All this is to drive better outcomes by advancing the current protocols using new modern technology platforms that align with how people today communicate and engage. In 2022, we saw the efforts paying off and the network coming together into a truly integrated program. The Sober Network Brand Vision is coming to life, ready to make a real difference in the lives of many. 2023 here we come!

Sober Podcast Host: Jamie Brickhouse

A jumbo gift of 2022 is a life beyond my wildest dreams as host of Sober Podcast. Back when I was drinking, I did have a wild dream that I’d be host of TV talk show or at least conduct a radio gabfest. But those dreams were commonplace, not wild. I couldn’t have conjured my current lucky lot in life interviewing writers, electricians, artists, lawyers, fashion designers, ex-cons, business owners about their recovery journeys. The guests I flap jaws with weekly have opened my eyes to recovery in all its permutations and knowing that it’s opened the ears to all our listeners is an even greater gift of 2022. 

Recovery Coaching: Stephanie Weiss

We are delighted to announce the addition of wellness entrepreneur Stephanie Weiss to our team. She is currently working towards a Master of Science in addiction studies; Stephanie is fresh on the scene and ready to take action. Under the supervision of Dr. Harold Jonas PhD, she is acting as a clinical intern. Stephanie is excited to use this position as an opportunity to learn from and contribute to the ever-growing and impactful Sober Network. 

Director of Sales and Marketing: Kerry Donahue 

The marketing department has been an exciting journey this year! Our growth has been tremendous, and I will be forever grateful for the growth we’ve achieved as a team. 

On the sales front, we’ve partnered with Beond, Cleveland House, and have worked with some sponsored submissions on our Sober.com blog throughout the year. 

We hired Crissy Sinople – our Social Media Manager who has brought a tremendous amount of skill and help to our social media reach. Our numbers have consistently grown over the year on all platforms, and we have had the pleasure of getting to work with many of our followers through various outlets such as our Sober Podcast, our Recovery Coach program, and through marketing aspects via Sober.com. 

Finding our Soberlebrity Host, Jamie Brickhouse has been a marvelous addition to the Sober Podcast. He is an absolute delight and executes his tasks professionally while bringing an award-winning personality to our show. It has been an honor to work with such an accomplished author, actor, and TikTok extraordinaire! 

As the producer of the Sober Podcast, I’ve had the opportunity to initiate the new format for our Sober Podcast! Please tune in to hear our new How To format on maintaining sobriety through various real-life events. We have started achieving great success with our Google placement ranking 2nd on the 1st page with our SEO efforts. 

We have had many outstanding additions to our team this year including Melissa Peña our blog writer. It has been an absolute pleasure getting to know and work with everyone who has made a difference for Sober Network and the addiction industry worldwide. 

Thank you to all who have supported our many projects in 2022. We look forward to bringing you more of ‘All Things Sober’ in the upcoming year.

Follow Us!

IG: @sobervers, @sobercoin, @soberdotcom

Twitter: @soberverse, @soberdotcom

FB: https://www.facebook.com/sober.com3216, https://www.facebook.com/SoberVerse, https://www.facebook.com/Sobercoin 

TikTok: @soberverse

Linked In: SoberVerse

Sober Network Sites

www.SoberNetwork.com – Welcome to the Sober Network! A family of all things sober.

www.Sobercoin.com – Start earning rewards with the 1^st crypto currency of recovery! Get involved, maintain accountability, and work your way towards obtaining goals.

www.RecoveryCoaches.com – Get a coach, be a coach! We have 24/7 online virtual courses available to work towards being a recovery coach and a network of certified coaches nationwide.

www.SoberPodcast.com – Sign up for our mailing list to get weekly releases of the hottest addiction podcast available! Tune in to hear people working towards sobriety and sharing their message of hope with our amazing host, award-winning author Jamie Brickhouse out of NYC!

www.Sober.com – our well established online directory of resources to help those in need. Search facilities and providers specializing in addiction recovery.

www.SoberSystems.com – Our award-winning technology rewards app. Earn rewards (Sobercoin) by maintaining accountability and reach out to others in recovery.

www.SoberVerse.com/community – a FREE interactive social media platform. Share your thoughts, feeling, pictures, and much more with like-minded people. It’s a SAFE space for SOBER!

More sites for All Things Sober: BabyBoomerAddictions.com, ChristianRehabs.com, DuallyDiagnosed.com, EatingDisorderRehab.com, ExecutiveRehabs.com, ExclusiveRehabs.com, FaithBasedRehabs.com, Soberlebrity.net, SoberHouses.com, & HalfwayHouses.com.

Do you know what Kratom is? Have you heard how it can affect your life? The next question is, do you realize that your friends who walk with you in recovery and taking Kratom? Reach out to the people that are struggling. They might need to hear that what they are taking is dangerous. For many years, I was that person who was using other drugs to eliminate the pain. Why would I want to do this again? We must overcome the thought of self-medicating our emotions, pain, or troubles. When is enough; enough? 

Kratom is known to be an herbal extract that comes from the leaves of an evergreen tree. This tree is in Southeast Asia. While Kratom is sold in stores throughout the United States, it can also be purchased online. 

Kratom is believed to act on our opioid receptors. While in small doses, Kratom acts as a stimulant and fills us with energy. In more significant amounts, it helps to remove the pain a person is feeling. Also, in high doses, it works as a sedative and causes drowsiness. There are safety concerns for people using Kratom. While Kratom only takes five to ten minutes to work, the effect lasts up to five hours. A person is being boosted with energy, which helps their mood and relieves pain. Do you stop to think about what else Kratom is doing to your body? 

Kratom is known to cause weight loss, dry mouth, chills, and liver disease. Please do not forget what it is doing to your mind and nervous system. People hallucinate and have delusions, seizures, comas, and death. From 2011-2017 1800 reports included death and seizures. Also, it was stated that five to seven infants are reported to have been exposed to Kratom and went through a withdrawal. 

My question is, why put your body through any drug that can affect our bodies? I worked hard to overcome a methamphetamine addiction; why would I take this pill sold over the counter that causes the same reaction? I have said this through other blogs; you are worth recovery! Your family and children deserve to have a sober and sober-minded parent. 

You may think you’re one of the lucky few who won’t get addicted to a substance, and that you can stop anytime you want. Unfortunately, you might not realize how dependent you’ve become until it’s already causing significant problems. To help you on your journey to becoming and staying sober, here are steps to get started:

Admit you have a problem

It may be difficult to admit that you need to change your relationship with substances that you’ve been dependent on. But if you find that your habits are restricting your activities or affecting your relationships, or you’re feeling some discomfort or guilt, it’s likely that you have an addiction.

You can also pinpoint some common signs of having an addiction. SymptomFind, a site dedicated to helping people reach and maintain wellness, lists some common signs that are associated with alcoholism. These include the inability to resist the mere sight or smell of alcohol and constantly looking for excuses to drink alcohol. Meanwhile, for drugs, signs of addiction are avoiding places where you can’t take drugs and relying on drugs to cope with problems. The first step in any recovery journey? Admitting that you need help, which can help prepare yourself for change.

Seek help

Contrary to popular belief, going cold turkey is not the fastest way to beat addiction. The Gateway Foundation warns that this isn’t safe either. This is because prolonged dependence on alcohol or drugs has rewired the brain to expect these substances. Quitting cold turkey can give rise to dangerous withdrawal symptoms, such as increased heart rate, nausea, and vomiting. As such, to help you recover safely, reach out to an addiction counselor or doctor to help you understand what to expect in your journey to becoming sober.

Learn to cope with withdrawal and relapse symptoms

Dealing with withdrawal and relapse may be the most difficult parts of recovery. Withdrawal is the physical and mental effects you feel once you’ve stopped or reduced your intake of a substance. Physical symptoms such as irritability, restlessness, and tremors can last from a few days to a week. However, the psychological effects like dysphoria can go on for longer. If you experience withdrawal symptoms, consult a doctor to help you. They may also prescribe medication to help you through your withdrawal.

However, NCBI mentions that around half of the people undergoing treatment relapse a few weeks after they’ve finished their treatment program. Relapse symptoms can be emotional, mental, and physical. Emotional and mental symptoms include isolation and bargaining, which, if continued unchecked, will lead to physical relapse. This is when the person resumes use of the substance. Therapy and peer support can help you cope with your symptoms by increasing your motivation and guiding you through your journey.

Avoid replacement behaviors

Even when you’ve successfully managed your addictive behavior, you may end up finding a replacement for it. For instance, you can end up overeating or gambling. You can avoid replacement behaviors by trying to find a balance in your life. The trick to preventing replacement behavior is to find satisfaction in normal life experiences. These let you be more in touch with reality and form authentic relationships again.

Talk to your doctor and counselor about your activities in order to determine if you’re becoming compulsive with any of them. They’ll encourage you to have a structured daily schedule that’s composed of recovery-related activities, such as exercise, eating well, and getting enough sleep. These activities let you focus on something other than what you’re recovering from.

The road to recovery from addiction can be difficult. However, reaching out for help ensures that there are people to guide you to become and stay sober. For more information on recovering from addiction, check our resources here on Sober.

Submitted by: JBurk

Meetings are being cancelled and people are practicing social distancing in an effort to prevent the spread of COVID-19. However, people in recovery still need to stay engaged and need support in the process. Don’t get discouraged. Here are some options available:

• Alcoholics Anonymous Online Intergroup:
  http://aa-intergroup.org/directory.php
  Allows you to search meetings in various formats of email, text chat, A/V, discussion forms and telephone. In addition, they have subcategories of men, women, LBGT, Hearing Impairments, Vision Impairments, Loners and Atheistic/Agnostic. Many options available for you to explore.

• AA Chats:
  https://aachats.org/aa-meetings-online/
  Calendar of online meetings. Site says that you must register to access.

• Inter-Group Association of A.A. of New York, Inc.
  https://www.nyintergroup.org/remote-meetings/list/?fbclid=IwAR1MaAZnaLsvvVlJEWAXQwI7D1qv9z-PNf3wPjLtfTVE9eE6h72_GNIlEAU
  Listing of group online meetings with instructions on how to enter a meeting.

• Narcotics Anonymous Meeting Search Results:
  https://www.na.org:443/meetingsearch/text-results.php?country=Web&state&city&zip&street&within=5&day=0&lang&orderby=distance
  Provides a list of meeting with several having URLs to join them online via Facebook groups, ZOOM meetings, etc.

• Virtual NA Meetings:
  https://virtual-na.org/meetings/
  Great sort feature that allows you to search by day and language.

• Suncoast NA:
  https://suncoastna.org/suncoast-area-online/
  Online meetings list for the Suncoast NA group.

• Never Alone Club:
  https://www.neveraloneclub.org/
  Narcotics Anonymous group that holds online meetings daily at 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. EST. Do not need a webcam or microphone to participate.

• In The Rooms
  https://www.intherooms.com/home/
  Website says, ” In The Rooms is a free online recovery tool that offers 130 weekly online meetings for those recovering from addiction and related issues. We embrace multiple pathways to recovery, including all 12 Step, Non-12 Step, Wellness and Mental Health modalities.” Great resource!

Other Support Options:

• Sober.com Online Community:
  community.sober.com
  Online forum to discuss recovery related issues and topics with others. Ask questions, provide guidance, etc.

• AA Speaker
  www.aaspeaker.com
  This website allows you to access AA Speakers on the Internet. Some focus on specific groups.
  
• 10 Drug Addiction Podcasts
  https://blog.feedspot.com/drug_addiction_podcasts/

If you know of any other options, please email them to info@sobernetwork.com so we can add them to this list. We will keep adding as more options are found and/or become available.

Also remember that, if you need someone to talk to and/or would like coaching services during this time, please email us at support@sober.com. You can also download the free mobile recovery app called Sobersystems to receive a daily message and provide accountability.

Hello Sober Compatriots,

As you know, these are very uncertain times. We want to assure you that, regardless of any outside health crises, we are still a strong community and will do anything and everything we can to ensure our members are getting adequate support.

In addition to our community support and peer coaching, we are researching the best online meetings for our users, so please stay tuned for these in the upcoming days.

Thanks so much and know that we are all in this together!

-Dr. Harold Jonas

During this SHAIR Podcast, I shared how I maintain my recovery daily and a little bit about how things were at the beginning of it. Hope you can take something away from this to help your recovery. Listen below…

-Dr. Harold Jonas

The SHAIR Podcast – “Get Sober, Stay Sober” with Dr. Harold Jonas, founder of Sober.com https://soberpodcasts.com/episode/shair-podcast/get-sober-stay-sober-dr-harold-jonas-founder-sober-com/

Sober housing, or living, is drug or alcohol-free accommodation that can help bridge the gap between rehab and independent living. While not strictly necessary for recovery, sober housing can make a significant difference for patients struggling with an addiction.

Defining Sober Housing

Sober housing can go by many different names, including dry housing, halfway homes, supportive housing and sober-living facilities. Sober housing can be privately owned, run by the state, city or federal government or it can be connected and partnered with successful rehab facilities. Sober housing can be small in size, accommodating just a few individuals at a time, or it can be a dormitory where dozens of people live with shared rooms and communal living spaces.

Whatever the size, location or management style of sober housing, the primary goal is always the same: to encourage sobriety among residents. This can be accomplished in a number of different ways, including:

• Establishing curfew rules to eliminate temptation
• Holding residents accountable through drug testing
• Assign chores to make residents accountable
• Establish a schedule to help create daily routines
• Encourage or even require attendance at local 12-step meetings
• Help with employment opportunities

Sober Housing Maintains a Necessary Accountability

An important role of sober housing is providing individuals with a level of accountability that can’t be obtained when living independently. In a closed rehab facility, drugs and alcohol simply aren’t available. Patients are restricted in what they can and can’t access, and sobriety is an assumption.

Once outside of rehab, it can be challenging to deal with a whole new set of rules. Temptations abound, whether in familiar environments or just because of physical and psychological cravings. Sober housing can be instrumental in preventing relapse by ensuring that all residents know they are accountable to others.

Sober housing may require residents to partake in daily or weekly drug tests, or staff and other residents may be on the lookout for signs of intoxication or inebriation. Curfews may also be in place to limit nightlife activities, when relapses are most likely to occur. Many sober houses have a no-strikes policy, which means that any relapse requires you to pack up and leave right away. This level of accountability encourages sobriety, because residents don’t want to leave their home or their support system during recovery.

Opportunities to Develop Healthy Friendships with Peers

Two common reasons people relapse are boredom and loneliness. To reduce the chance of this happening, sober housing addresses both of these important issues.

To combat boredom, sober housing provides the opportunity for 24/7 companionship. Even with family visits and work obligations, there are many hours in a day to fill. Many sober housing facilities encourage dining in groups, organize outings for residents, and create daily schedules to help provide structure.

Such amenities and structure can go a long way in combating loneliness. Instead of feeling isolated from society—an issue noted by many individuals who are recovering from addiction—sober housing offers a group of peers who understand and are going through the same thing as everyone else. This shared connection may encourage true conversation and lasting bonds.

Encouragement to Attend 12-Step Meetings and Support Groups

Participating in 12-step meetings and support groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous can be instrumental in retaining sobriety and preventing relapse. Although all alumni of rehab programs should know and understand the effectiveness of something like 12-step meetings, gathering the willpower and desire to attend on a regular basis isn’t always easy.

Sober housing may encourage residents to attend meetings, or they may require it. Either way, they will supply locations and times to eliminate missed opportunities, and many residents will attend meetings together. Having this continued support, education and outlet for sharing can greatly lessen the chance of relapse because ongoing support and help is always available.

Ease the Transition Between Rehab and Independent Living

Some say that the hardest part of recovery is taking the first step to attend a detox or a rehab program. That may be true, but it’s just as tough transitioning from the structure, support and defined boundaries of residential rehab to independent living. To bridge the gap between rehab and living alone, sober housing is crucial.

There are logistical advantages that sober housing can offer to residents. Trying to rent an apartment after rehab, for instance, may be nearly impossible without a proven income or recent rental history. Sober housing eliminates this worry and rejection. In the same vein, sober housing may have recommendations for employment, which makes it easier for residents to re-enter society, contribute in a meaningful way, feel productive, and earn an income.

Statistical Evidence Supporting Sober Housing After Rehab

Clearly, sober housing can be beneficial to patients. More importantly, sober housing can make a difference in terms of lasting sobriety.

Some studies indicate that remission rates (the duration of sobriety) are higher among those who reside in sober housing immediately following rehab program. Equally important, the overall rates of relapse, whether six months down the line or a decade in the future, are lower for those residents who live in sober housing compared to rehab graduates who immediately begin living independently. This reveals that while sober housing may not be a necessity, it certainly gives those struggling with addiction an advantage when pursuing the goal of lasting sobriety without relapse.

Following rehab, sober living can be highly advantageous to residents who are able to gain companionship, an antidote to boredom, assistance with the logistical side of accommodation and employment opportunities. Sober living provides an easier transition to independent living and the accountability it takes to stay sober for the long term.