A sober companion is an addiction treatment professional who provides one-on-one assistance to newly recovering alcoholics or drug addicts, with a therapeutic goal. The basic ideas behind sober companions are to help the alcoholic or addict maintain abstinence from alcohol or drugs and establish a healthy routine outside of the treatment facility or rehab.
A sober companion, or sober escort spends a great deal of time with the recovering alcoholic or addict. They work full days and nights, and if needed, will spend 24 hours a day for weeks or months at a time. The primary goal of sober companions is to make sure the patient is able to stay sober and establish a new routine. Sober coaches also help clients.
- Explore areas where the patient has not been able to “say no.”
- Build their confidence in situations which typically would lead to relapse.
- Identify areas that could present roadblocks to continued abstinence and sobriety.
- Provide transportation, as sober escorts, as well as monitor the patients’ home, office, etc. to make sure their environment remains drug-free.
The sober companion will also challenge and support their client in making lifestyle changes so they can experience a better quality of life. Essentially, sober companions are chaperones for recovering addicts. Sober coaches will also serve on-call for their clients, and generally act as an advocate for the newly recovering addict or alcoholic to help them find new ways to act in their own living environment. Sober companions often use techniques such as meditation and affirmation, methods common to the recovery methods taught in rehabilitation centers. Sober coaches are sometimes used as a replacement for residential treatment centers, or other forms of drug rehabilitation. They are especially important for recovering addicts who are at a high risk for relapse. A sober coach will help the patient transition from the heavily structured, secure environment of the rehabilitation center back into the “real world”; the place where they were unable to previously remain sober. The treatment can last for as long as the patient needs, from a few days, to months. However, it is important to minimize the dependence on the sober companion. Ideally, sober coaching should decrease in the patient’s life as they prove their ability to confront daily issues, such as work, family and other issues without relapsing. It is common for sober coaches to stay in touch with their clients for weeks or months after their daily service ends. Their services can vary from total companionship, 24 hours a day, to only providing transportation services, from treatment facilities, or to outpatient treatment at a doctor’s office. Often, sober coaches or sober companions do not have any formal training. Many times, they are also recovering addicts who have been able to achieve multiple years of sobriety. Others may have training in psychology, sociology or even medical training; others may only rely on their own personal program of recovery. There are no professional associations or boards that set standards for sober companions, as this is a relatively new concept in the field of addiction treatment, although some will likely emerge as this profession continues to grow and evolve.