Sober living is, quite simply, a choice to live free from addictions. However, the reasons that a person chooses sober living are far from simple. Everyone has their own different experiences that have led them to decide that is the way forward for them. It is important for a person to have their own reasons for seeking sober living, and not to be forced into it by others.
Many people have reached a stage in their life where their lifestyle is seen as the only way to turn their life around. It is a sad fact that addictions to drugs, alcohol, or even gambling can destroy a person's life and affect everyone around them. Being determined to change to a happier living lifestyle may not repair all of the damage that their addictions have caused to others, but it will definitely eliminate the consequences of continuing addiction.
Support from those around you is essential for continued and successful sober living. Often, the best people to seek support from are those that have been through similar situations. This is not always the case, but understanding of the true meaning of sober living by anyone that you come into contact with is often necessary to help prevent a relapse into the life that you lead before you chose to live alcohol free. This does not necessary ensure that the person is the best source of support, but it does remove a lot of the pressure about explaining what real living is, and why you have chosen such a path.
Sober living should not be seen as simply giving up addictions. Of course, that is the main starting point and continued focus of true sober living, but the focus should be more on how life can be changed for the better by sober living. If a person remains in contact with friends and family that knew them before their sober living began there are often a large number of barriers to be broken down. No one can be expected to change completely overnight, but with concerted effort and determination, the change to sober living can be truly successful and literally life changing.
There are many organizations that can help a person to achieve sober living. Many of these offer counselling sessions and a buddy system to provide support and advice to anyone who has, or is considering choosing sober living. There are also a growing number of residential places in sober living homes. These range in their entry requirements and fees, but all provide a safe and supportive environment for people to start out on the road to living without booze or drugs.
Here is one word of caution to anyone wanting to start a new relationship at the same time as beginning their new sober living lifestyle. Don't! The pressure of trying to change old habits may be overwhelmed by those of the relationship. Of course, this does not mean that you cannot seek new friends; just don't be too keen to form a deep relationship too soon during this vulnerable time.
Sober living environments are a way for the DUI offender to avoid being incarcerated. Where a person has had multiple DUIs, or has a drug or alcohol problem that has not responded to past attempts at treatment, then sober living may be the best rehabilitative means of any of the other alternative sentencing options. The basic structure of a sober living environment involves the housing of only sober people, for both men and women. All residents are required to participate in planned daily activities, such as group meetings and 12-step programs. Each resident is required to contribute to the running and functioning of the household by performing a household chore.
Where a DUI offender is facing mandatory minimum time in the county jail, sober living environments provide an excellent alternative sentence to fulfilling the county jail time hours in the sober living environment. The hours spent in the sober living environment qualifies for the mandatory time in jail. Where a term of imprisonment is imposed by the court, the hours and days spent in the sober living facility will count against the mandatory imprisonment requirement. It is the duty of the court imposing the sentence to determine the date or dates of any admission to, and release from, custody prior to sentencing and the total number of days to be credited.
California Penal Code section 2009 defines the terms of sober living as a sentencing alternative to incarceration. The term of stay in the sober living facility may be credited to any base fines or restitution fines at the rate of not less than $30 per day, or more, in the discretion of the court imposing the sentence. Fines are often part of a sentencing scheme where the DUI offender is ordered to a jail stay or released on probation, yet is obligated to pay fines and do community service. If the total number of days in custody exceeds the number of days of the term of imprisonment, the entire term of imprisonment shall be deemed to have been served. In any case where the court has imposed both a jail term of imprisonment and a fine, any days to be credited to the defendant shall first be applied to the term of imprisonment imposed, and thereafter the remaining days, if any, shall be applied to the fine on a proportional basis, including, but not limited to, base fines and restitution fines.
In addition to the benefit of serving a term of imprisonment outside a county jail facility, sober living environments have the tremendous advantage to rehabilitate the DUI offender in a safe, controlled facility. The other participants in these programs are just like the DUI offender; those people who have had trouble with an addiction problem and are trying to rehabilitate themselves and get their lives back on track.
Both John Jablonski & Darren Kavinoky are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
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