Health. Home. Purpose. Community. These are the four major pillars that support recovery, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). Intrinsically connected to all four touch points, hope sets the foundation for recovery because it is the belief that existing challenges and conditions can be conquered, and that change is possible. While there are an estimated 15.1 million adults in the US dealing with Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD), no two recovery journeys are the same.
Since the first year of sobriety is often the most difficult, it’s recommended that individuals seek continued care to make the transition to everyday life as seamless as possible. In the circumstance of a broken leg, for example, patients are not immediately released from the hospital with no guidance regarding aftercare. Instead, appointments are scheduled for physical therapy, and instructions for at-home exercises are given as the individual gradually builds their muscles and regains strength. Similarly, aftercare in addiction treatment balances recovery with reintroduction into the world. One of the most thorough and effective ways this can be accomplished is through sober living environments.
What Clients Get Out of Sober Living Homes
At Cassie’s Cottage, a women’s sober living home in Connecticut, each patient’s recovery plan is tailor-made for their unique recovery journey and situation. Balancing both structure and flexibility, clients have the opportunity to find their independence and create a substance-free life that’s meaningful to them, Founder and Recovery Coach Beth Lipovich says.
Two critical aspects of recovery that are emphasized in many sober living homes, including Cassie’s Cottage, are connection and accountability. Connection, which is regarded highly among the recovery community in 12 Step programs, rehabs, sober coaching, and more, provides individuals with the support and motivation that they need to change their lives and remain sober. One 2012 study finds that having a recovery circle, or network of people rooting for and supporting one’s abstinence, can significantly impact an individual’s ability to remain sober up to three years later.
Recovery homes support sobriety by introducing individuals to others who share a unified goal of accomplishing and maintaining sobriety. Not only do the women of Cassie’s Cottage spend time with each other and recovery coaches, they are also encouraged to attend early morning, afternoon, and sunset meetings that inspire reflection and connection. Depending on their recovery stage, some clients may go on to join Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOPs) at rehabilitation hospitals or treatment centers. Attending IOPs can help hold individuals accountable upon discharge.
Used by Cassie’s Cottage and hundreds of treatment programs, including Caron and Hazelden Betty Ford, Soberlink Remote Alcohol Monitoring is another tool that promotes client accountability and connection. Upon intake at Cassie’s Cottage, Soberlink is a recommended tool for clients to use to help support their recovery journey. Equipped with government-grade facial recognition technology, Soberlink allows clients to easily submit test anytime, anywhere. The results that confirm sobriety are then wirelessly transmitted in real-time to recovery coaches and staff to help support accountability. Allowing for custom testing schedules, specific notifications and automated report settings, recovery coaches can determine which test times work best for their clients.
Consistent testing helps clients build accountability for sobriety and remain connected to their recovery circles throughout the day.
Aftercare Following Sober Living Homes
During patients’ time at Cassie’s Cottage and other treatment facilities that utilize Soberlink Alcohol Monitoring, progress and results are monitored by professionals and their recovery circles. Upon discharge from Cassie’s Cottage, which has a minimum required stay of three months, clients are given the opportunity to continue using Soberlink to assist with and promote a lasting recovery.
“For the three [or plus] months at Cassie’s, they are answering to us as their support system, but when they walk out with Soberlink in hand, I feel so much more confident that their success is going to be that much stronger,” Lipovich says.
Throughout the years of using Soberlink at their facility, Lipovich has witnessed this tool become an added layer of support during and after recovery care. For clients looking to demonstrate their sobriety to their loved ones, Soberlink can provide peace of mind for both parties. This was the case for one particular client who experienced changing family dynamics during her departure from Cassie’s Cottage. While there was initial uncertainty as to whether or not she was going to continue using Soberlink upon discharge, she decided that the service was invaluable and chose to continue monitoring. The client is now celebrating her first year of sobriety.
“[Soberlink] is really that extra sense of support, and it gave the family members such an added level of confidence. It allowed the woman… the ability to take command of her own life on her own terms,” Lipovich says.
For clients and treatment providers who are interested in learning more about how Soberlink’s Remote Alcohol Monitoring System is used in continuing addiction care and all stages of the recovery journey, please click here.
About the Author
Soberlink supports accountability for sobriety through a comprehensive alcohol monitoring system. Combining a breathalyzer with wireless connectivity, the portable design and technology includes facial recognition, tamper detection and real-time reporting. Soberlink proves sobriety with reliability to foster trust and peace of mind.