Accountability in Addiction Treatment

The road to recovery is one fraught with many perils and traps. You could argue it’s the simplest path in the world, simply do not engage in that which you are addicted to. Of course, simple and easy are two very different things. It is for this reason that relapse is considered a part of recovery itself. While it’s never a good thing, many people do relapse and it’s important to remember that it’s not the end of the world. You’re not a “bad” person for relapsing.

Battling addiction is a high stakes game of management. Understanding your relapse triggers, avoiding situations where you may be offered substances or tempted, as well as keeping yourself busy and healthy are all important factors to addiction recovery. Forgiveness is incredibly important when dealing with addiction—especially when the addiction is more psychological in nature. There is, however, another thing just as important as forgiveness—it’s accountability.

The Importance of Accountability

Accountability is a term that you perhaps have heard many times in regards to work or responsibilities in management. It means to be held responsible for something. There’s no easy way to say this, but you’re accountable for your addiction. It is a difficult thing to say as professional addiction treatment specialists. It sounds harsh, but in truth, it’s one of the most beautiful realizations someone who has suffered from addiction can realize.

Imagine this, for your whole life you’ve battled this thing which ruined your relationships, drained your bank account, hurt your health and inflicted psychological wounds on you. Then, as you’re trying to get better, someone tells you to hold yourself accountable. Emotionally, it may feel as if they are saying it’s all your fault.

That’s not at all what accountability is. Accountability is not the same as finger-pointing, rather, it’s a realization that regardless of the unfortunate circumstances that led to your deepening substance use disorder, recovery starts with you. Really, it’s one of the most empowering things you can realize—that you’re actually in control. As we mentioned with relapse earlier, you may not win every battle you fight, but that it is infinitely better to strive towards a better future than to be stuck, hopeless and addicted. This is also why group therapy is so effective because instead of feeling singled out and isolated, you can share your experiences with other people who can help you feel more accepted and accountable for what you do.

Sober Companion Services in Virginia

Having someone who can help you stay accountable as you get through the initial stages of recovery can be a critical helping hand when beginning sobriety. That is why we offer sober companion services for situations including but not limited to:

• Helping those who live alone and need a headstart in establishing healthy new habits.
• Giving support to people who come from an unsupportive environment.
• Support for those who have travel needs and require addiction supervision
• Accompaniment to various places such as school, social functions, work or doctor’s appointments.

At Recovery Care Partners, our mission is to be a one-stop full support system for those who wish to live a life of sobriety. There is nothing more gratifying for us than seeing the many people who have been taken under our care go on to lead stable and fulfilling lives. One tool in our toolbelt for that is the sober companion service we offer. If you would like to find out more about our sober companion services, please do not hesitate to visit our contact page or give us a call at (240)-206-6324.

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The Importance of Sober Companions

If you or a loved one has made the hard choice to go to inpatient rehab, congratulations! This is the first and most important step in setting up a recovery plan. You’ve put a lot of hard work into getting yourself or a loved one clean, but the work does not end there. Going to rehab is a microcosm of the recovery world. For the most part, your day is scheduled and you are told where to eat, sleep and recover. With release back into the real world, freedom can be overwhelming and sometimes unsettling for a recovering addict. This fear is a normal reaction and should not be feared. However, there are certain things you can do to help prevent a relapse. Over 70-80% of addicts will relapse within 90 days of inpatient rehab, and a sober companion/escort can greatly increase the chances of recovery.

What is a Sober Companion?

A sober companion is a person you can depend on to walk you through demanding situations or social occasions. Often they are someone who has been there, and who has a proven track record of beating the odds.

Someone who has overcome addiction themselves can identify completely with what you are going through and keep you on track towards your goals.

A sober companion can follow you anywhere and everywhere. The fear of adjusting to life outside of an institution can be frightening for some. Many recovering addicts choose to use a sober companion during their first few months out of rehab for this reason. It doesn’t matter if you are from Jersey or Philadelphia. It doesn’t matter if you are from Georgia or Connecticut. Addiction is a disease that does not care where you are from. Sober companions can escort you to and from outpatient facilities, AA meetings, work and school, and so on. On the way to a 12-step meeting, you may feel unnerved and have urges to drink or use drugs. This risk can be mitigated by having a sober companion. Being honest with your companion can be the final piece of the puzzle. You can hire a sober companion to be there full-time or part-time. It depends on the amount of help you need.

Do You Need One?

A sober companion can be called on when you just need someone to talk to. Loneliness or boredom can often drive someone to return to addiction.

Knowing there is someone who understands, and particularly someone who has been through what you are going through or worked with people who have, can help find answers to issues you might be having.

This decision is only one that you can make. It also depends on what the professionals on your team think. From a psychologist to a physician or other sober professional, following their recommendations is usually the best bet. If you are returning to a living situation where a person is still abusing drugs or alcohol, a sober companion may be necessary to help curb cravings or moments of weakness. No matter how strong you feel when you leave rehab, it only takes one slip-up to send yourself tumbling back into the depths of addiction.

Expectations

A good sober companion knows how to keep you sober. Generally speaking, they’re recovering addicts as well and have been in your shoes. Sober companions are often compared to 12-step sponsors and they have many similarities. A great sober companion can help remove drugs and alcohol from your living situation, monitor and keep watch over your behaviors and whom you associate with and encourage healthy habits that you learned in inpatient treatment. Recovery is about a lot more than just detox. Finding out what your triggers are, if you have a dual-diagnosis, and staying sober and happy are just a couple checkpoints that you should go through. Whatever you choose to do, we wish you the best of luck. We offer a one-stop recovery solution and proudly serve the following areas: Philadelphia, South Jersey, Richmond, Atlanta, Greenwich, and the Greater Washington, DC/Baltimore region. Contact us today if you need help with any aspect of your recovery process.

 

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Tips For A Successful Family Intervention

Sometimes a loved one needs help and does not realize it or want to admit to themselves that they have a serious problem. It can be hard for someone suffering from the ravages of addiction to realize the true extent the substance is taking over their life and that of those around them. Here are some tips for planning a family intervention that has the greatest chance of success.

Create Your Team

The family members you choose to be part of the intervention should be chosen carefully. Ideally, those closest to your family member will be part of the team. However if one member is so emotional they cannot talk rationally and calmly during the intervention, they should not be there. Shouting and loudness can have the opposite effect that is intended.

Know The Facts

Addicts need to be told exact incidents that have led to the intervention. For example, if they woke up their sister in the middle of the night knocking on the door or struck somebody, this needs to be brought up. This is not the time for generalizations. Specific incidents put responsibility on the addict instead of sounding like a personal attack with no substance.

Intervention Specialist

For many families, it can be helpful to seek the advice and assistance of an intervention specialist. These types of counselors are trained to provide support and guidance when planning an intervention and coordinate a safe time and place to conduct the actual intervention.

Recovery Care Partners offers addiction counseling, intervention planning, and customized treatment plans for all types of addiction. For those that need a sober companion, we can help find one for your loved one and place them in their home for outpatient treatment. Sober companions are usually part of the process after a patient has spent some time in an inpatient program.

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