04/05/2026
I recently encountered a post from a mother seeking recommendations for sober living facilities for her child. Unfortunately, one of the comments contained outdated and inaccurate information. Although the commenter likely had good intentions, this underscores the importance of accessing accurate and up-to-date information. As someone with experience working in the recovery field, I recall that we previously believed geographical relocation was necessary for individuals with Substance Abuse Disorder to achieve sobriety. However, this notion has been disproven, particularly for those participating in year-long sober living programs. The issue with relocating is that individuals often rebuild their lives, including securing employment and establishing a support system, only to have to start anew upon returning home. In contrast, staying local enables individuals to maintain their employment, support system, and friendships. Many sober living programs offer opportunities for graduates to lead meetings, sponsor newcomers, and secure employment as staff members. This enables individuals in recovery to find purpose in helping others and maintain connections with their support system. In my experience, individuals who have relapsed after relocating often cite the lack of a support system, excessive free time, and limited sober friendships as contributing factors. Consequently, we have found that individuals who remain local tend to have better outcomes. While there may be exceptions, our experience suggests that staying local is often the more effective approach. Also, when someone seeks treatment out of town, they sometimes choose to stay in that location because they do not want to leave their support system, which is crucial for recovery. Unless the individual does not have family or a spouse back home, it is generally better to stay local.
I'm praying for the mom and ALL moms that are desperately seeking help for their children!! As a mom myself and someone in long term recovery I know what a nightmare it is.
