For many people in recovery, having a sober companion can make a world of difference for staying sober and also making the journey as smooth as possible. Now, exactly “what is a sober companion?” you may be asking. Today, we’re going to tell you everything you need to know about having a sober companion, including the benefits of working with a sobriety companion for maintaining your sobriety for the long term.
What is a Sober Companion?
Unlike a well-meaning friend who has no experience with sobriety, a sobriety companion is a specially trained individual who works with people overcoming drug or alcohol addiction. Along with supporting the sober individual, they work closely together to help ensure sobriety is maintained. At the same time, they can help them navigate virtually every part of life, especially those that can be especially triggering or difficult to navigate.
Here are some of the specific ways a sober companion supports sober individuals:
- In some cases, a sober companion can act as a sober escort, transporting the sober person to and from different locations
- Sober companions can help sober individuals readjust to life after rehabilitation
- Some sober companions move in with sober individuals to offer 24/7 support
- Sober companions can help sober individuals navigate their 12-step program
- A sobriety companion can assist the sober individual with mending (or ending) relationships, depending on what is best for the individual
- Sober companions can offer support, guidance, and resources throughout the journey of sobriety
Now that we’ve answered “what is a sober companion?”, let’s discuss who a sober companion is a right fit for.
Who Needs a Sober Companion?
Virtually anyone who is working on maintaining their sobriety can benefit from working with a sober companion. The ultimate decision to hire a sober companion comes down to you. That being said, it is often recommended to individuals by their counselors, therapists, mentors, or other support people.
Here are some examples of when a sober companion is a helpful addition to a sober person’s life:
- If you are leaving treatment and returning home to live with someone who still uses drugs or alcohol
- If you are struggling to maintain your sobriety or feel as though you are close to losing control
- When you have certain events (including ones that may be triggering) to get through and extra support would be helpful
- You are transitioning back to your home after leaving a group home or a rehabilitation center
- If there are issues beyond substance abuse that contribute to your challenges remaining sober
What is a Sober Companion’s Role?
Now, let’s move onto some of the ways a sober companion assists those on a journey to maintain their sobriety.
- Removing drugs or alcohol from the home or other environments they visit
- Encouraging regular sleep habits to assist in daily sober living
- Encouraging actions that will build self-esteem
- Transporting the sober person to and from work, appointments, and other occasions
- Monitoring social situations and relationships
- Assisting with mending and managing relationships, including those that were damaged during the course of substance abuse
- Encouraging you to take positive steps in life, including developing and sticking to healthy habits
- Directing you to helpful resources, including finding support groups and positive influences
- Helping develop daily practices that will help prevent relapse
What are the Benefits of Hiring a Sober Companion?
You know what a sober companion is now as well as the specific roles they can fulfill in your life. Now, let’s discuss some of the specific benefits of hiring a sobriety companion.
Availability
Try as they might, your friends and family can’t be there 24/7. During times of particularly high stress, this kind of support is necessary. Sobriety companions are specially trained to offer this kind of constant support in a way your friends and family can’t be. They are available to you when and where you need them, with all of the tools and training necessary to support you on your path.
Expertise
It’s worth mentioning again the benefits of the special training sobriety companions receive. Not only are most sobriety companions on a sober path themselves, but they also have special training for supporting others on this journey. This type of expertise is the kind you won’t find anywhere else.
Being a Pillar of Strength and Support
It isn’t uncommon for individuals to leave rehabilitation facilities and find themselves without much support on the outside. Perhaps they have burned bridges with friends or family members and those who would have previously supported them. With a sobriety companion, someone will be there for you no matter what. They can prove to be a pillar of strength and support, even in the darkest or most challenging of times.
Sobriety can also feel like a lonely journey, particularly at first. With the support of a sobriety companion, you will have someone there for you to not only keep you company but to provide you with moral support and guidance at the same time.
How to Choose a Sober Companion
The right sober companion for one person can be different from the next. It’s incredibly important to work with experienced and professional sobriety companions to ensure a good fit.
Because sobriety companions engage with individuals in their home environment to achieve all of these goals, trust and professionalism are of the utmost importance.
At Elysian Sober Services, our sober companions are very flexible people. Our hand-picked staff all have multiple years of sobriety under their belts. They truly understand what it is like to be completely powerless over alcohol and drugs. All our staff have been trained in the field to know and understand relapse patterns and behaviors.
They also will guide you or your loved one in the right direction when it comes to recovery. Our sober companions aim to set achievable goals and set up a healthy environment that is conducive to recovery. We are here for you in your time of need, and we also understand how crucial it is to have accountability throughout the day.
The daily struggle of early recovery is very real. We are here to get you through these tough times and help you build a solid foundation that you can one day stand on alone.
Common Questions
We have answered “what is a sober companion” and several other questions in this post. If you have more questions, you might find the answers you’re looking for right here.
Does a sobriety companion live with me?
We typically live in the home of the person receiving help. This can be done for any period of time ranging from two weeks to a year, depending on the circumstances and the individuals’ needs.
Can sober companions support my family as well?
Yes—and this is incredibly important as addiction is a family disease. Our companions will supply any extra resources needed along with the 24/7 support for families. Healing the family from the inside is one of our services’ main objectives, and we make it our goal to make this happen.
How much does a sober companion cost?
The cost of a sober companion depends on the demands of the job and the needs of the client. Costs of services may vary but on average, the cost per day is equal to the daily cost of a mid-priced residential program. At this time, most major insurances are not able to cover sober companionship services.
Do you have more questions or are you ready to hire a sober companion for yourself? Reach out to Elysian Sober Services in Florida so we can help.
