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“Sober Living Homes”
By Art Boudreault, Board President, NCADD Silicon Valley

Sober living homes are one of many sources of ongoing treatment offered to those who have abused drugs and/or alcohol. It is not their first step towards recovery. By the time they have selected a sober living home, they already are aware of the costs that the disease has done to their own bodies
and minds and are also aware of the effects on their families. They have already been through more intense treatments and are now willing to take the next step towards continuing their recovery.

Those who go to a sober living home realize that they are not yet ready to face the questioning of parents, spouses and their friends. The ignorance of those of us who haven’t faced this disease is part of the problem. We may tell them, “It’s not so bad”, I can put the drink down”, “All you need is willpower”. These statements are not conducive to their recovery. The family’s lack of knowledge often causes the drinker to postpone their treatment. Newly sober persons need the continuing encouragement of others who have preceded them in recovery. The sober living environment provides peer influences, teaching and camaraderie while they keep each other focused on how to live without drugs and alcohol. As stated in the mission statement of one sober living home’s web page, “Our mission is to provide a sober living environment to our residents which will lead to a life free of drugs and alcohol. This will be accomplished by structure, education and mutual support. Our friendly homes work in a family type environment. We all work together supporting each other emotionally and spiritually while sharing our responsibilities. After sharing and experiencing our program you will be equipped with the necessary skills to meet life’s demands alcohol and drug free.” [1]

We may think that the majority of those who are in a sober living home are criminals, but most don’t have any criminal history at all. Many individuals go to a sober living home voluntarily after a course of intense in-patient or outpatient treatment – as suggested by a medical professional and/or a
counselor. Others who have entered through the court system are criminals only because they have violated laws dealing with possession or related to being under the influence. Patients of certified sober living homes are screened by the district attorney’s office for violent individuals and sex offenders. These people are not eligible for sober living homes in neighborhoods.

Those who led the fight for Proposition 36 noted that a majority of those who are arrested for possession of drugs or for driving under the influence are not otherwise breaking the law. The solution proposed in proposition 36 is to require that these people have the alternative of treatment, including sober living homes, rather than jail sentences. Given that we, the people,
overwhelmingly voted for this proposition, it seems necessary to increase the number of sober living homes to handle the increase of these patients. Treatment is effective and successful. One year after treatment, 53% are completely abstinent and an additional 35% have reduced their use of alcohol and drugs. Interestingly, these statistics are similar to diabetics who
fully adhere to their medication schedule (60%) after one year. [2] In a speech in Phoenix on November 1st at a national conference of the affiliates of the National Council of Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (NCADD), the President, Gordon Scheinhauer, stated that treatment outcomes are quite
predictable. “The longer the treatment is, the higher the chance of complete recovery.”

Should a sober living home be in my neighborhood? I think the answer is yes. The people attending the treatment offered by a sober living home could include my spouse, my parents, my children, my neighbors and my friends, maybe even me. Almaden Valley residents are not immune from the disease of alcoholism or drug abuse. Our relatives and friends need to recover where
they live, not be driven to other neighborhoods or communities. I have a friend (a long-time math teacher in San Jose) whose wife abused medical prescriptions. She was judged a criminal by the courts, but instead of sending this 65-year-old person to jail, she received the option of treatment and long-term living in a sober living home. Because of the gentle treatment by a sympathetic judge, this productive neighbor has successfully returned to society. Can we not help our neighbors recover?

[1] Sober Living Homes: www.wcrecovery.com

[2] Just the Facts – The Effectiveness of Addiction Treatment, published by
Hazelden Butler Center for Research. www.naatp.org