It is a major accomplishment to become sober and stay sober, yet this achievement does not come easy. Many recovered addicts credit their families, friends, and therapists when they talk about the people who helped them during their recovery, and there is one more category of individuals to be grateful to – sober companions.
In this article we will explore the steps to becoming a sober companion, including key responsibilities, essential qualifications, and the vital role in supporting recovery journeys.
What Is a Sober Companion?
A sober companion is a professional individual who helps a person to remain sober after they have struggled with addiction. Staying away from alcohol and drugs is extremely hard for people diagnosed with substance abuse, which is why relying on an impartial assistant whose purpose is to guide you through the first days and weeks of recovery, as well as help you be sober if you want to relapse after years of being alcohol- or drug-free is so essential for many people.
What Does a Sober Companion Do?
The daily responsibilities of a sober companion depend on the agreement between the parties. Still, usually, it is expected that the person accompanying you in your sobriety ensures there are no drugs or alcohol in your home, stops you from contacting people you used to abuse substances with, encourages you to stick to a healthier lifestyle, and helps you reconnect with your family members in case the addiction ruined your relationship. They may also escort you to a gathering or group therapy session if you need someone familiar present or respond to a late-night call when your urges to drink or use drugs are high.
Note that there is a difference between a sober companion and a sober coach – the former is able to provide round-the-clock support, especially in the toughest moments like the first month away from rehab while the latter is typically fulfilling their duties on a weekly or biweekly basis, rather similar to a therapist.
Benefits of Becoming a Sober Companion
A good job comes with many advantages – take a look at just a few benefits of helping someone to stay sober long-term:
| Advantage | Description |
| Make a Difference in Someone’s Recovery Journey | Sobriety saves lives, and by guiding a recovering addict you can support their transition from a rehabilitation center to a normal life and help them to be a functioning member of society again |
| Operate in a Diverse Work Environment | The job of a sober companion does not put any limits on the person’s age, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or personal beliefs – you get to help people with diverse backgrounds and have diverse traits yourself |
| Reap Emotional Rewards of the Role | Making a difference, even for a single individual, through support and compassion is very rewarding – by becoming a sober companion, you will connect with another person on a deeper level and give them the knowledge to rebuild their life |
Challenges of Being a Sober Companion
Despite all the positives, the work responsibilities of a sober companion are associated with certain risks:
| Challenge | Description |
Emotional Strain and Burnout Risks | It is hard for any caregiver or therapist to deal with the problems of other people on a daily basis – the same goes for sober companions. When you are not making time for yourself or getting too invested in another individual’s recovery, you may get easily hurt |
Navigating Difficult Client Relationships | Former addicts are a diverse group of the population, and many of them have mood disorders, emotional problems, and financial struggles that will make the job of a sober companion more complicated – besides, these two may have their own conflicts |
Maintaining Personal Boundaries | Setting healthy boundaries with a recovering addict, treating them with respect yet not becoming one of their friends, and refusing to lie or cover up for their actions that threaten sobriety are some of the key responsibilities of a sober companion |
Qualifications and Certifications for Sober Companions
Although there are no specific requirements for sober companions these days, there are many sober companion certification programs in every state – some of them are designed to help counselors who want to change careers, others are aimed at female sober companions who want to help women in particular, and certain training courses are meant for people with personal experience with addiction. Your clients will be looking at relevant educational backgrounds and experiences alike so it helps to be a qualified therapist or a person who is open about their past addiction in addition to sober companion qualifications.
Skills Needed to Succeed as a Sober Companion
- Communication and Active Listening Skills
An addict may want to share their entire life story or speak about random topics just to avoid thinking or talking about alcohol and drugs – let them express themselves when they want to and show you truly care about their words.
- Empathy and Patience in High-Stress Situations
This job is not for the faint of heart – you need to be prepared for an emotional breakdown of the person you are taking care of as well as their relapse. Treating the individual with respect and compassion they deserve no matter how hard their life gets is one of the essential skills of a sober companion.
- Knowledge of Addiction Recovery Principles
Understanding the importance of a holistic approach to physical and mental health, resolving trauma, and assuming responsibility for mistakes made before the recovery journey started is going to help a sober companion in their work with addicts.
Steps to Becoming a Sober Companion
If you are wondering how to become a sober companion who can play a major role in their clients’ lives, you should do the following:
- Understand Your Role and Commitment
The job you are signing up for is extremely serious – sobriety is life and death for many people who no longer want to ruin their lives with alcohol and drugs. Understand the impact you may have on others and act responsibly like a true professional, no matter how hard the circumstances are.
- Obtain Sober Companion Certification
Depending on your current level of education and your professional experience, you may study to become a therapist or substance abuse counselor to learn the basics of the profession. Your first-hand experience with addiction can be invaluable as well – we suggest you to combine theory and practice.
- Build Experience in the Addiction Recovery Field
As you meet more and more people who require help in their recovery, you gain a reputation of someone reliable – of a person others should call when the relapse is right around the corner. Networking and finding opportunities in the industry through word of mouth will encourage more people to contact you to stay true to their commitment to sobriety.
Is Becoming a Sober Companion Right for You?
Before you make the final choice in favor of this career path, there are certain things you must reflect on to ensure your decision is the right one:
- Assess Your Personal and Professional Goals
Due to the challenges of the job and its narrow focus, you may feel exhausted after the day you spend with an addict as well as struggle to find a job in a therapeutic field in order to help patients without substance abuse – make sure you take these issues into account when you make your choice.
- Consider Emotional and Financial Aspects of the Role
The financial side of the issue may be another problem, especially for freelance sober companions. Moreover, if you are easily attached to other people and cannot help but treat them as your friends, you might have issues with boundaries.
- Explore Stories of Successful Sober Companions
Learning more about people who successfully managed to help recovering addicts navigate their sobriety and rebuild their lives from scratch is very inspirational – find sober companions you can look up to online or in real life and ask them how fulfilling this job has been to make up your mind.
FAQs
- How do you become a sober companion?
Depending on your prior experience, you may need to complete a training course, volunteer at a facility that helps people with their recovery, or shadow a therapist as they guide a therapy group to gain enough knowledge about the job you are interested in.
- Do you need certification to be a sober companion?
While you can find training courses for sober companions in some locations, you can work in this field with a psychology or psychiatry degree as well – besides, if you have known many addicts in your life or have been sober for many years, your experience will be your main reference for those who consider working with you.
- How much do sober companions earn?
The salary of a sober companion varies depending on the region and their experience, but fees may range from $100 to $300 per hour. Your income potential will be influenced by your skills as well as the experience you earn as you work more and more. Do not forget about the difference between freelance and agency work – choose the right path for you based on your busyness and the desired income.
- What can I do to stand out as a sober companion?
If you wish to know how to become a sober companion who is head and shoulders above the rest, you need to continue your education and training to offer high-quality services to your clients, develop a unique approach to client support – know when to be flexible and when to stand your ground – and establish a strong professional reputation with your credibility, ethics, and accountability.
- How to become a sober activist?
Nowadays, a successful sober companion can use their experience on a larger platform – you can create social media accounts to promote sobriety, share your story, and offer help to other people. Besides, you can also start a campaign aimed at making addiction recovery more accessible and advocate for people in your community.
