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Why Go To A 12-Step Sober House After Treatment?
Where is the Inspiration
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Many people in sober houses use a combination of medical (clinical) and 12-step support with great success. They do not need to be exclusive of the other. Medical (clinical) recovery focuses on evidence-based treatments and often involves healthcare professionals, medications, and professional interventions to address the physical and psychological aspects of addiction. For most of our house members it is rehab followed-up with an intensive outpatient program. The rehab approach emphasizes medical oversight and evidenced based care plans that include daily groups.
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Research has also validated 12-step recovery. The individual parts it represents such as community building, self-paced, self-examination with another, undying positive regard and other pieces have been borrowed by the medical community because they are so effective. Recovery is proven to be rooted in mutual support and peer-led programs, where individuals work through a series of steps designed to promote spiritual (based on each individual's values) growth, personal reflection, and community support.
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While it is obvious that the composition of support networks differs: in medical recovery, support primarily comes from healthcare providers, such as doctors, therapists, and counselors, who offer professional guidance and treatment. Patients may also participate in therapy groups, but the focus there is on professional support. It is peers that support and are supported in 12-step meetings.
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If 12-step recovery emphasizes peer support, it is because it has been proven to be effective. Where individuals share their experiences they will provide the very potent mutual encouragement. The sense of belonging and shared understanding within 12-step groups can create a powerful support network that extends beyond formal treatment settings. 12-step has always been welcoming to professional help and sometimes even encourages it among members.​ Each approach has its strengths, and many individuals, ourselves included, find success by integrating elements from both medical and 12-step recoveries to create a comprehensive and personalized plan for overcoming addiction.
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While it doesn't happen that often, when it does, a critical factor in turning some people off to 12-step meetings is the mention of God. 12-step programs place on emphasis on self-assessment and spirituality and the belief in a higher power as a central component of the recovery process. When this does happen, our navigators remind people that spirituality is not religion; spirituality is having a set of core values that are meaningful to each individual.
Furthermore, if the core value system is carefully selected and chosen and remains fluid, accessible, it makes it even more meaningful. The biggest difference between the two, religion and spirituality, is not that one is professional and the other peer driven, but rather that one has a 'higher power' set of values that is self-determined, and hand selected from among the values of others, even from religion but, because it is of our own choosing, it becomes more useful and relevant.
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Participants in 12-step programs are encouraged to develop a spiritual or hand selected set of values as a (hand-forged) foundation against the first drink, which can be a source of strength when we feel lonely and guidance when we can't reach anyone on the phone. In contrast, medical recovery tends to focus on tangible, measurable outcomes and well-presented arguments meant to challenge current, unrealistic thinking. The way to achieve the better outcomes, is to change your way of thinking and so they hope. Which is probably true most of the time. Unfortunately, most of us in recovery rebel when we're told to do challenge our thinking. Like a child, we're better off being asking to dip and use a positive, like a higher power, then being told here's that same useless thinking process, let me change that.
To be challenged in therapy or during a chat with your doctor, with or without regard to the individual's readiness to receive, is to, often, invite rebellion.
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It does work if the rebellion is outweighed by logic, but unfortunately, if logic was working in an addict's life, we probably wouldn't need a doctor in the first place. !2-step may not necessarily incorporate personally selected spiritual elements until the participant realizes they are "safe" to express their own preferences. The medical approach is more scientific (secular) and completely relies on scientific principles while the spiritual approach utilizes bits and pieces from each person's unique perspective, rendering it far more useful in daily living. Our goal at our sober house is to combine the two so logic and understanding the world from your perspective can blend into one, solid and engaging way of life.
-Lisa
Define Spirituality
Embrace Your Stand
Embrace the Opportunity for Growth: Understand that entering a sober living like the Right Path House environment signifies a huge commitment to your personal growth, recovery life-style, and well-being. So, choose not to be spoon fed your recovery. Choose to embrace this opportunity, it may be the one and only time you'll have to dedicate to creating your personal version of positive change, one minute, one hour, and one day at a time. Addiction is a lonely life-style that loops after awhile and left you alone. It is impossible to learn new things in a vacuum. Make your new lifestyle one of peace, adventure, and purposeful new experiences. Or, intersperse the now "occasional fighting" with moments of peace, adventure and purpose. Change doesn't happen instantaneously. It happens slowly over time. But in choosing sober living, you are choosing to be responsible for your recovery. Make no double about it, it is work.
Leave Behind Being Alone
Build a Support System: Take advantage of the support and camaraderie offered in the sober living environment. Surround yourself with peers who understand what you're going through and who can offer encouragement, guidance, and empathy. Then, find friends in the 12-step meetings. Building a strong support system is crucial for maintaining sobriety and navigating the ups and downs of recovery. Addiction loves when you isolate, so don't.
Be Honest From the Start
Be Honest and Authentic: Honesty is essential in recovery. Start from the beginning of your recovery with being honest with yourself and others about your thoughts, feelings, and experiences, even if they are negative. Do it before you get attached and, if you have a need to please, that need to please takes over again. Embrace vulnerability and authenticity as strengths, because in recovery, that's what they are considered. It is the basis for trust. So, don't be afraid to ask for help when you need it and be as fearless as possible when you choose to share.
Open Your Mind
Approach the experience with an open mind and a willingness to learn. You may never have been sober before. You may be coming back after a relapse, and your research on your disease has taken it's toll on your spirit. You might be tempted to get stuck in your relapse guilt and shame. However, the reality is that recovery is a journey of ever evolving self-discovery, and being receptive to new ideas, perspectives, and approaches can greatly enhance what happened. By dissecting it, make it part of your progress. After all, the old approach did not exactly work out.
Test Services
It's a proven fact that we generally like to have hard evidence of success. That's why we screen using both a 14-panel with
temperature including 72 hour ETG and breathylizing. Cooperation for testing is much appreciated. Post sober living, we suggest you carry on with testing through, "You Are Accountable."
Believe in Yourself
Believe in Yourself: We will believe in you and your ability to overcome challenges until you learn how to do it for yourself. You are capable of living a fulfilling and meaningful life, and with the determination, perseverance, and dedication that recovery brings, you can overcome any obstacle that comes your way. Entering a sober living environment for the first time can be both daunting and empowering, but with the right mindset, support, and determination, it can be the first step towards a brighter and more hopeful future. Trust in the process, and know that you are not alone on this journey to recovery. Pooh Bear said it best, " It's so much easier when someone believes in you."
Realistic Goals
Understand that recovery is a process that takes time and effort. Set realistic expectations for yourself and recognize that there may be both emotional and physical ups and downs along the way. After being more focused on what was going wrong in your life during the addiction years, focus on what's going right in life. Celebrate those successes, no matter how small and no matter what they are.
Practice Self-Care
Practice Self-Care: Take timeouts. Engage in activities that nourish your mind, body, and soul, such as setting healthy boundaries, exercise, meditation, journaling, or spending time in nature. Prioritizing self-care will help you stay balanced and resilient as you navigate the challenges of recovery.
