California’s always been a destination for people looking to reinvent themselves.
That’s especially true for those of us in recovery.
It’s easy to see why Southern California’s such an attractive destination for anyone: the weather’s famously nice, there are tons of activities to do, and it’s a state which genuinely values living your best life. There aren’t many other places as suited to self-improvement than SoCal.
And recovery’s all about self-improvement.
Experiential Therapy: How Southern California Helps Us Recover from Drug & Alcohol Addiction
If you’ve ever attended an addiction center or a drug rehab, you probably spent a lot of time outside or taking trips to fun spots around the area your drug rehab was located. These outings are sometimes easily misunderstood by outsiders, but they play an important role in recovery.
Experiential therapy teaches valuable lessons – namely, that it’s possible to have fun without drugs or alcohol. Here’s how experiential therapy works: Outings like hikes teach endurance; rope courses and more adventurous outings teach self-reliance, trust, and teamwork, all of which are important qualities addiction robs from us.
It’s an area of recovery where SoCal’s famous sunny weather helps, too. Getting out and being active in the sun has proven medical benefits. Apart from the obvious benefits of exercise, studies have shown sunlight keeps serotonin levels up, helps us sleep, increases self-esteem, and more.
Finally, SoCal has almost limitless resources when it comes to recovery. SoCal has hundreds of daily 12-step and support group meetings, businesses serving the recovery community, and a wide variety of sober living homes to choose from. All of these resources also mean there are a lot of people in SoCal who truly get – and respect – recovery.
Good as these are, they’re even better when combined with SoCal’s world-class attractions.
Sober Living Activities in Southern California
SoCal’s many world-class attractions make it the perfect place to start – or continue – a sober lifestyle:
Local, State & National Parks: SoCal has multiple parks perfectly suited for a healthy, active lifestyle. The cities in the region have many public parks suitable for yoga, frisbee golf, picnics, and more. In Orange County, Crystal Cove State Beach offers swimming and snorkeling opportunities; nearby Crystal Cove State Park has a commanding, dramatic view of the coast.
Inland SoCal also has many hiking areas. In Orange County, Chino Hills State Park, Santiago Oaks Regional Park, and the Cleveland National Forest provide natural refuges from bustling urban Southern California.
In LA County, the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area has multiple trails through the rugged hills west of Los Angeles. Farther afield is the Angeles National Forest, with three 10,000-foot-plus peaks awaiting devoted hikers. In winter, it’s even possible to ski. Meanwhile, a day’s drive to the west offers multiple desert attractions including Joshua Tree National Park.
Amusement Parks: Don’t care for the outdoors? Not a problem – SoCal’s theme parks are a magnet for tourists sober and otherwise. The Disneyland Resort in Anaheim is globally well-known, and Knott’s Berry Farm in nearby Buena Park features rollercoasters and a ghost town featuring buildings and equipment from real ghost towns across the southwest. A longer drive up the freeway brings you to Magic Mountain, which has massive rollercoasters for thrill-seekers.
Beaches: SoCal’s most famous feature is its well-known beaches. Dana Point, Balboa Peninsula, and Huntington Beach are home to internationally famous surf spots. Laguna Beach, meanwhile, is a funky artists’ colony turned resort town.
LA County has its own famous beaches, including Zuma, Leo Carrillo State Park, and Malibu Lagoon State Beach. Farther south near San Diego features Torrey Pines and Silver Strand state beaches.
Sporting Events: If you’re a sports fan, you’re in luck – SoCal has multiple teams to support and watch play. The Los Angeles Angels play out of Anaheim’s Angel Stadium of Anaheim; hockey fans can enjoy Anaheim Ducks games at the nearby Honda Center.
The World Series-winning LA Dodgers play out of their landmark stadium in the hills above Los Angeles, and you can also take in Lakers and Clippers home games at the Crypto.com Arena downtown.
Get Involved in the Sober Community: Recovery is also about service, and if you enjoy volunteering, SoCal’s deep recovery offers many opportunities to offer your expertise and share your recovery with others on the same journey.
Finding A Sober Living Home In Southern California
With the wide selection of sober living homes across SoCal, there’s a place to recover for every kind of person in recovery. Finding a place to recover can be a challenge sometimes, however.
Some sober homes are suited to particular age groups or genders. Some require participation in an associated treatment program; some are aimed at a particular shared interest or hobby. It’s important to find the right match.
Finding a sober living home benefits from doing research. If you’re at a treatment center, ask your case manager or therapist if they know of any good ones. Make a list and give sober living providers a call.
Good questions to ask are:
- How much does it cost to live here?
- Do I chip in for groceries and/or utilities?
- What are the rules like?
- What are my roommates like?
- Do I need to look for or maintain employment to live here?
- How long can I stay?
If you are looking for a sober home, you’re definitely on the right site.
SoberLivingNearYou.com Helps You Find a Sober Home For Your Specific Needs
We know how challenging finding a sober home can be. It’s why we created SoberLivingNearYou.com, the web’s largest directory of sober homes. With our site, finding a sober home for your budget, needs, and personality is as easy as logging on.
Start your search for a sober home with SoberLivingNearYou.com!
