5 Ways a Sober Companion is better than drug and alcohol Treatment

Sober companions are the unsung heroes of the addiction sphere. Heck, some people may be reading this and not even know what a sober companion is. They may be under the assumption that the only way to get care for their addiction is rehab or some other traditional inpatient treatment procedure – but there’s never only one solution to these sorts of issues. There are alternatives, and while some methods may be the norm, the norm doesn’t equate to being the best. Introducing the aforementioned sober companions!

So, okay – what is a sober companion? Well, The Addictions Academy defines it as such:

“A sober companion is an individual in long-term recovery from drugs and alcohol that helps another individual stay sober for a period of time. They can remain with the individual for 24 hours to 1 year and assist with events, work meetings, parties, shopping, exercise and cooking. They are usually in recovery but should be certified, insured and bonded.”

For those who may still be confused, a sober companion and – say – an inpatient treatment facility, both pursue the same goal, just with different approaches. A companion accompanies the client outside of a traditional center or facility and guides them through their recovery journey in their day-to-day life.  This isn’t the only place where the differences are, obviously, and we’re here to explore them and how downright advantageous a sober companion’s capability can be!

5 Ways a Sober Companion is better than drug and alcohol Treatment

Intensive

From the description alone, some may be wary of the responsibilities of a sober companion. It may sound like too much or too little, but no matter your viewpoint, sober companionship can very easily adjust to your preference. Let’s take Sober on Demand for example – a powerhouse in the realm of addiction treatment – on the capabilities of a sober companion.

If you would prefer a sober companion who could accompany you on trips and outings, that’s readily available. However, If you’d prefer in-home care, that’s also available. No matter the scenario, they can serve all sorts of duties to provide intensive care. They can provide situational guidance and strength-based support, identify triggers, and euphoric recalls, offer strict oversight, drug, and alcohol monitoring, and so on and so forth. There’s a whole list of responsibilities for a sober companion, but at the very least you can rest assured that they will provide substantial care.

When compared to inpatient treatment, you can get the same amount of thought and care put into your well-being, if not more. You have a dedicated professional on your side who goes through your life with you, knows your crutches and weaknesses, and can provide anything you need to help you get through the scenario. They specialize in various fields and have deep knowledge of all sorts of addictions.

One on One

Speaking of substantial care, another major upside to sober companionship is the experience itself. Anyone who’s been to an inpatient treatment center can attest to the fact that it often feels like you’re not thought of as an individual. Granted, you may have a weekly therapy appointment here and there, but the entirety can be summed up as being locked into groups and shuffled from area to area.

If that doesn’t sound great, that’s because it isn’t! Sober companions are catered to you. Not people like you. Even better, specifically, with Sober on Demand, there’s even a compatibility test to best match up the client and their companion. Your comfort and safety are prioritized, and your life, in particular, is granted even further emphasis.

Grounded in Reality

Another major gripe with a traditional inpatient treatment center is the black-and-white approach to various situations. It can be easy to oversimplify or diminish the significance of various scenarios and woes when you’re in a bubble. The simplest example is being at a party.

If you’re surrounded by a substance you’re recovering from, the easiest solution is to simply stay far and away or practice some self-soothing methods. While this works on paper, it’s a lot more difficult now. How does one politely reject a drink? How can you juggle interacting with friends who may be partaking while you don’t? What are some things you can do at that party specifically to help you cope? Situational factors are a very real danger and speaking about them in an isolated center far from their influence isn’t productive. A sober companion can be there and help guide you with expertise and full knowledge of what makes you tick.

Freedom

Not everyone can spend up to 30 days in rehab or some other treatment center. Heck, it can feel like a prison that you just can’t escape. We have lives to live, incomes to make, and friends to see. This isn’t an argument against getting help, but one advocating for getting help in an efficient way.

Having a sober companion means you can keep living life without having to take a hard stop and halt any potential progress you were making elsewhere. It’s a dynamic formula that allows you to recover and implement new behavior trends while being productive. This is especially vital for those in positions where you can’t afford to take a break.

Availability and Resources

Finally, one of the biggest reasons a sober companion is much preferred to inpatient treatment is simply the availability and what can come with that. If you’re looking for a sober companion, it isn’t difficult to find a good one. There are places like The Addiction Coach or Sober on Demand that are trustworthy services that can provide a companion basically anywhere, but even a simple google search can do the trick. Finding one is as simple as searching the term with your location, like “sober companion New York” or “sober companion Los Angeles”. As long as they’re bonded, insured, and certified, you’d be good to go!

It’s a bang for your buck as well, with plenty of potential resources such as health guidance, travel assistance, 12-step programs, etc. In other words, a sober companion is as good as getting normal treatment, just on the go! If you’re someone who needs help but just can’t take the time to sit in a bubble for thirty days, I couldn’t recommend sober companions enough!