5 Reasons You Need a Sober Companion

Deciding to recover from drugs or alcohol can be one of the best choices you ever make. But after completing a treatment program or putting the bottle down, then what? What plan do you have in place to ensure you don’t relapse? In fact, statistics show that 40–60% of people who suffer from a substance use disorder will relapse after treatment.

A relapse is generally a sign that someone needs more treatment or a modified treatment plan. One way you can add an extra layer of protection to your recovery plan is to add a sober companion. A sober companion can walk with you every step of the way to make sure that you stay sober.

A sober companion can live with you and help you around the clock or be on call when you need them. Sometimes just having that person to call on can make the difference.

Let’s check out five reasons you need a sober companion to ensure you don’t relapse.

1. A Sober Companion Is Trained in Recovery

Most sober companions have had a lot of training in dealing with problems that can come up early in recovery. Many are also living in recovery themselves. So, they have the educational background to help you, have lived experience, and know exactly how you feel.

Another good thing about a sober companion living in recovery is that they will be able to see your reservations before you do and can help point these things out to you.

A sober companion can share with you the triggers they had to deal with early in recovery and teach you how they handled them.

A big predictor for relapse is not managing your emotions properly. A sober companion can help you to learn how to cope with emotions and positively express them. For example, they may encourage you to write your feelings down in a journal for a few minutes daily.

2. A Sober Companion Is an Un-Biased Third Party

A sober companion is on the outside looking in. Unlike family members who may have been scorned and upset with some of your past behaviors, a sober coach is unbiased and only wants to see you succeed. A sober companion can form a bond with you at the beginning of treatment and watch as you grow.

A sober companion can also help you to mend relationships. As a third party, they can look at both sides and encourage you and the people you care about to learn to forgive each other and move on instead of holding resentment.

Resentment can quickly lead to a relapse, and a sober companion can let your loved one know that. They must fix the relationship if they want you to maintain your recovery. Although, not everyone will, and a sober companion can be there for you if the other person doesn’t want to reconcile just yet.

3. Having a Personal Recovery Cheerleader

A sober companion is dedicated to your recovery as much as you are. They genuinely want to see you succeed— it’s their job to see you win. They will offer you support and dedication that you can’t get elsewhere.

A therapist is going to see you maybe once a week at most. A sponsor will answer the phone every day but also has their own life. But a sober companion can be there for you 24-7.

You can have them live with you to help keep drugs and alcohol out of your house. They can help you adjust to living sober for the first time in a while. If you need a sober escort to go to high-risk places, they can do that too.

A sober coach can be on call for you as much as you need them to be. They can be with you each and every step of the recovery process, even more than family members or co-workers can.

4. Accountability

If you go to a treatment program, you can’t usually drink or use drugs there because they monitor you closely. However, when you get out into the real world, you may need someone to hold you accountable. It is easy to talk yourself into a drink early on in recovery.

If you have someone holding you accountable, you can tell your sober companion when you feel a craving coming on, and they can help you fight those off. In addition, a sober companion can offer you many ways to cope with feelings that may arise now that you are newly sober.

For example, let’s say that you realize that anger is a trigger. A sober coach can help you come to that conclusion and give you ways to express your anger healthily.

5. A Sober Companion Encourages Self-Care and Healthy Eating Habits

One of the things that people lose in addiction is taking proper care of themselves. Personal hygiene usually suffers. You may have poor eating habits. One of the best ways to stay sober is to get your body and mind in good condition.

A sober companion will encourage you to take better care of yourself. It could be as simple as taking a warm bath once a week. They may have you eating healthy and exercising more.

A sober coach can encourage you to ensure you get enough sleep. Sleep deprivation can lead to a relapse because you cannot think correctly when you haven’t had enough rest. Other healthy habits that a sober companion may encourage you to practice are:

• Deep breathing
• Meditation
• Yoga
• Art or music therapy
• Getting a manicure
• Journaling

A sober companion may join you in some of these practices until you get comfortable doing them on your own.

Sober On Demand Confidential Sober Companions

A sober companion can be a vital part of your recovery. However, there are many other ways that a sober companion can help you stay focused on your recovery. At Sober on Demand, our sober companions are trained professionals who have lived experience with substance use or are personally affected by it. Our sober companions are dedicated and compassionate and want to see you win. Call 1-800-706-0318 ext. 2 today to get a perfectly matched sober companion on your team.