10 Reasons You Need Sober Friends in Early Recovery

According to the NIDA, “Family and friends can play critical roles in motivating individuals with drug problems to enter and stay in treatment.” And, for many reasons, having sober friends will help those same individuals during early recovery protect the progress they’ve made.

For help finding a sober home call 800-953-3913 (Who Answers?) toll free anytime.

1. To Ensure Your Home is Drug Free

If you have sober friends you know you can trust, one of the first things you may need to ask of them is to remove any drugs, paraphernalia, or any other items that may tempt you to abuse drugs. This will be easier to ask of those individuals who have also made the decision themselves to remain sober.

2. To Stay with You

It is important that you are not alone during your early recovery, even if you feel very positive about your treatment process. Going through recovery from drug addiction can be hard, and it will be much easier if you have a supportive friend by your side.

3. To Help You Have Safe, Sober Fun

Sober friendships will help you stay on the right path in your recovery.

Someone who is sober themselves will understand how to have a good time without drugs or alcohol, which you may need to learn how to do again. They will also help ensure that you are having positive experiences even during this difficult time.

4. To Help Lead By Example

When you see your friends living soberly, without the need and (sometimes) even the desire for substances like drugs and alcohol, it can help remind you that you are capable of the same. After watching them, it is easier to believe that, one day, you will be able to say no much more easily, just like your friends.

5. To Empathize

Many individuals who live soberly decide to do so because they have also experienced problems with substance abuse. In the same way people draw strength from support groups that allow them to discuss similar experiences, your sober friends can empathize with your situation if they have already gone through it themselves.

6. To Share Your Honest Feelings

It may be difficult to talk about your concerns and especially your fears about substance use with someone who drinks or uses drugs. Because you will not feel the need to tiptoe around their use of drugs and/or alcohol, you can be honest with them about your own experience with substance abuse.

7. To Be Reliable

If something does happen and you experience a setback, you may need to be taken back to the treatment facility or a hospital for help (depending on how intense your relapse may be). If this occurs, you will need someone reliable to help you get help.

Call 800-953-3913 (Who Answers?) toll free anytime for help finding a sober home near you.

8. To Be on the Same Page

Whenever you go out with your sober friends during your early recovery, you will not need to be concerned about whether they may want to drink or do something else that would be particularly dangerous for you. You will know that you are on the same page.

9 To Celebrate Your Improvements

A sober friend will always be happy to congratulate you on your progress.

10. To Provide Hope

According to SAMHSA, “Hope… is the foundation of recovery.” Seeing your friends living soberly will provide you with the hope you can too.