When you take the first steps to getting sober, it can be a time of uncertainty. So it is understandable you might feel scared and all alone. However, once you begin a rehab program, you soon discover you are not alone. Nor do you have to go through recovery without the support and guidance you need. Part of the support you can utilize is mentoring through a sober mentoring program.
What Is a Sober Mentoring Program?
A sober mentoring program can be part of your initial rehab, your aftercare plan, or even part of the resources you use when residing at a sober living home. Through the program, you are assigned a sober mentor who is an individual who has often had to deal with their own struggles of substance misuse or alcohol misuse.
They understand the challenges of maintaining sobriety, especially in the early stages of recovery. It is not uncommon to learn they, too, took advantage of a sober mentoring program during their recovery.
As a result, participating in a sober mentoring program helps provide support, encouragement, and someone to help motivate you to remain sober. Essentially, your sober mentor is your partner in helping you stay accountable for your sobriety.
What Is the Role of a Sober Mentor?
A sober mentor makes themselves available to you based on your specific needs. They can meet with you daily in person, talk to you on the phone, or be there when you are struggling the most. A sober mentor is more than a sponsor. They can also be your friend and allow you the opportunity to develop a one-on-one relationship with them.
Why Is A Sober Mentorship Important for Young Men in Recovery?
Many young men are able to detox and get sober. However, maintaining that sobriety can be rather challenging without the proper motivation and support. Living a sober lifestyle is a lifelong commitment for recovering addicts.
The thought of remaining sober for the rest of your life can be very overwhelming in the early stages of recovery. It can be difficult even to imagine achieving such a goal. Fortunately, by connecting with a sober mentor, you can benefit from their own experiences with sobriety. Plus, sober mentors can give you hope that you, too, can achieve long-term sobriety.
Without mentorship and continued support as you transition from a rehab program, it is easy to get distracted and fall back into old habits. In addition, many young men find they are not always ready to be independent.
As a result, moving from a rehab program to a sober living facility with access to sober mentors can provide them with the resources, support, and motivation they need to continue to learn how to maintain sobriety and become independent.
How Can Young Men Find Sober Mentors?
Several different options exist for young men to find sober mentors. The rehab facility where you underwent detox and rehab may provide a referral to sober mentors. Your sponsor may also be able to refer you to a sober mentor.
Another option is when you transition to a sober living home. Many sober living homes provide access to sober mentors. Quite frequently, they resided in the same sober living home as you did when they needed help with their sobriety.
Choosing a Sober Mentor
When you participate in a sober mentor program, you get to choose your sober mentor. You want someone who is caring and supportive. They should also fit well with your personality and beliefs.
Let’s be honest, if you do not like your sober mentor, you are not going to get much out of the program. So, after spending some time with a sober mentor, if you do not feel you are compatible, it is perfectly acceptable to find a different mentor you feel comfortable with.
Transitioning from the Mentee to the Mentor
Another benefit of participating in a sober mentoring program is the option to someday be able to become a mentor yourself. The goal of your sober mentor is to help get you to the point where you no longer need them. As you move forward without them, this is very rewarding for them as much as it is for you.
Yet, when many young men reach this point, they often feel the desire to assist other young men in the early stages of recovery. By paying it forward and becoming a mentor, they can provide the support, guidance, and motivation some other young man needs.
Sober Living and Sober Mentoring for Young Men in Los Angeles
Suppose you are ready to transition to your next stage of recovery and do not feel comfortable with maintaining your sobriety. Then, you can benefit from moving into one of New Life House’s sober living homes in Los Angeles and Redondo Beach that also provide access to sober mentoring programs.
Our homes help prepare young men for living independent sober lifestyles while allowing them to continue to focus on their recovery in a structured, supportive, and caring environment. For further information about our sober living homes and our sober mentoring programs, please feel free to contact our admissions team today!
Last Updated on September 27, 2022
