SOBER LIVING NETWORKRECOVERY SUPPORT RESOURCESThere are known ways to greatly increase recovery opportunities for alcoholics, addicts and family members. These resources can be easily increased during times of limited government and health care funding. Community recovery resources have the track record and potential to give alcoholics and addicts increased opportunities to start and maintain recovery.

Community recovery is based on the principle that attractive and recovery-promoting environments and activities assist alcoholics, addicts and family members to start and maintain healthy and productive alcohol and drug free lifestyles. Community recovery resources are continuously available to assist recovering persons when needed. Once involved, recovering persons have an innate need to become involved in activities that assist themselves and others to feel and function better.

Recovery support resources include self-help meetings, Alano clubs (which host self-help activity), community recovery centers; sober living housing, and sober recreational/social events. Community recovery centers are self-service centers that offer a variety of education sessions, self-help meetings, and social and recreational activities. Community recovery resources are easily adaptable to specific ethnic, cultural and physically challenged needs.

Alcohol and drug prevention efforts will be enhanced by the availability of community recovery resources. The recovery support homes and centers have large recovering constituency that can be available that can participate in prevention activities.

Clinical treatment facilities are effectively assisting the lucky few. Treatment Does Work. However, with limited funding, treatment is assisting too few for too short a time at too high a cost to address and reduce our growing alcohol and drug problems.

Paper prepared by Sober Living Network (310) 396-5270 www.soberhousing.net