The past three years have been different for many people, especially those who have been using drugs and have found recovery. Isolation, uncertainty, and even closures of vital services such as Medication-Assisted Treatment during the COVID-19 crisis left people scrambling to get the healthcare they needed. As a result, sober living temporarily stopped accepting new clients, but sadly, many people in other care situations found themselves without a place to go. Sober living, however, continues to provide safety and focus on clients' well-being during uncertain times.

Sober living is an essential tool for people in recovery. For many people now getting sober, the responsibility, community, and accountability a sober home can provide can help them build a strong recovery foundation.

Increased Drug Use, Overdoses in the Pandemic Era

The pandemic changed how people used and acquired drugs.

Economic hardship, a stumbling economy, and the fears of the pandemic caused much uncertainty. At the same time, the illicit drug supply chain was cut off in many ports. As a result, people had to look for new ways to get high. Often, this meant dealing with drug dealers on social media who may have added fentanyl to their products.

Uncertainty and economic hardship are often causes of increased substance use. In addition, people who were isolated or working at home often used substances out of loneliness or boredom.

These factors led to a wave of overdoses in 2020 and 2021, with over 92,000 lives lost to overdose. It was the largest number to date, 21,000 more than in any previous year. Moreover, the numbers increased the following year, with 53,000 dead in the first six months of 2021 alone.

Sober Living Homes Help Build Stability

There's never been a better time to get sober – there is increased access to treatment and more options available than ever. Many people are now picking up the pieces to begin to heal from this era in their lives. Sober living can help create a stable, safe living situation for you to focus on yourself.

Sober homes can also provide the following, depending on the program:

• Structure and Routine: Uncertainty can lead to stress and anxiety, triggering a relapse if you don't have the proper tools in place. A sober living home can help provide a structured environment and daily routine. Depending on the home, that may include support groups, individual counseling, and recreational activities. This structure allows residents to stay focused on their recovery goals and avoid relapse.
• Accountability: In a sober living home, residents are accountable to their peers and staff. This accountability provides a powerful motivation to stay sober. When you know people are counting on you to stay sober, this can help you make better decisions. You are accountable for your actions - and your actions are important to others, too!
• Support and Community: A sober living home provides a supportive community of individuals. Your peers are working towards the same goal of staying sober. You have a community to turn to if you need it. This can be vital during uncertain times when feelings of isolation and loneliness can trigger substance use.
• Safe and Sober Environment: A sober living home provides a safe and therapeutic living environment. While this environment is sometimes free from some of the triggers of the outside world, there are rules to follow that keep everyone safe. This can be particularly important during uncertain times when stress and anxiety may be heightened.

A sober living home can provide a stable and supportive environment to help you stay sober, even during uncertain times. You can begin to rebuild your life in recovery through structure, accountability, support, and a safe environment.

Learn More About Sober Living

If you or somebody you know is considering a sober living situation, we're here to help. We offer safe facilities, access to amenities, healthy meals, and other help to stay on track while you learn to stay sober long-term. Get in touch to learn more about how we can help you learn to thrive as a newly sober individual.

http://www.kpho.com/story/28123501/az-lawmaker-wants-sober-living-homes-to-be-licensed

And the fight to regulate sober living homes continues. An Arizona bill seeks to license sober houses and recovery homes, placing an interesting point of view on a seemingly untouched policy for disabled housing, which those suffering from substance use disorders are under (ADA and FDH). Are there standards in sober living homes? If they are, they have not been published other than general variables finding support to sustainable recovery. It has been stated that those against the development of more alcohol and drug free housing lies solely on discrimination, yet after reading this article it seems cities or states do not want to close them down, but to make sure there are clear parameters by which to live either side by side to a community or to definitely set out specific boundaries to development. Is there discrimination happening? Im sure. Is it all discrimination? Im not sure, I don't think its wrong to want to find out what are the standards of sober living homes and are overseeing bodies such as the sober living network and caarr living up to these standards when certifying homes. If there is news, it will only bring us closer to attending the questions of the community and strengthening the core of recovery housing.