Sober Living Homes in New Mexico

New Mexico, located in the Southwestern United States, is one of the Mountain States. It is bordered by Texas, Oklahoma, and the Mexican states of Sonora and Chihuahua. New Mexico is the fifth-largest state in the nation, but it has the sixth least dense population. The state has a long history, going back thousands of years into indigenous history. In 1598, it was established as a province of New Spain, and in 1821 it became part of independent Mexico. After the Mexican-American War ended in 1848, however, it was eventually annexed to become part of the United States. By 1912, it had become the U.S.’ 47th state.

New Mexico has a thriving economy that is based on a wide range of industrial activities. These include mineral extraction, dryland farming, oil drilling, lumber milling, cattle ranching, scientific research, and technological development. New Mexico’s natural beauty and prominent indigenous culture have also attracted countless artists, especially textile and visual artists. The state also has a sizable military presence, with many national security agencies running research and testing facilities in the state.

The population of New Mexico, which is currently 2,096,829, is extremely diverse. Of all U.S. states, New Mexico has the highest percentage of Hispanic and Latino Americans. It also has the second-highest percentage of indigenous people, after Alaska. The official state song of New Mexico, “New Mexico — Mi Lindo Nuevo México,” is bilingual, and public schools even utilize Navajo textbooks in classrooms. This diverse and beautiful state has a long history of being used as both a trade route and a migration route.

Nonetheless, New Mexico is currently in the grip of the opioid epidemic. The opioid epidemic, which began with heroin and is currently being driven by an influx of prescription opioids, including fentanyl and oxycodone, claims countless lives each year throughout the United States. In New Mexico, 63% of drug overdoses are due to opioids, causing a total of 338 fatalities each year. Illicitly produces synthetic opioids are often shipped across the Mexican border to New Mexico. Traditional drugs of abuse are also driving addiction rates up; these include alcohol, crystal meth, crack cocaine, and prescription stimulants.

Fortunately, for citizens of New Mexico with substance use disorders, help is available. Sober living houses in New Mexico provide a safe space for people to pursue recovery. In these environments, individuals with drug or alcohol addictions can get away from their own lives and immerse themselves in a supportive community. By making use of a New Mexico sober living, it is possible to not only free oneself from addiction but rebuild one’s life.

What Are Sober Living Homes?

Sober living homes are residences where people with substance use disorders can live. Residents are committed to developing long-term sobriety. To that end, they agree to stay clean and sober when they move in. This ensures a safe, supportive, and trigger-free environment for all other residents. A person’s environment is a critical factor in early recovery, since old behavior patterns, associations, and direct exposure to substance abuse can easily trigger a relapse during this vulnerable time period.

Sober living homes help people recover by providing a supportive community. Other house residents, as well as sober living staff, provide feedback, moral support, and guidance during early recovery. Being around other young people who are committed to the same goal of recovery also increases accountability. Best of all, the relationships people develop in sober living homes tend to outlast their residency, ensuring a source of support in the years to come. Studies on sober living homes have shown that the peer support networks that residents develop tend to significantly decrease relapse rates even for people who have long moved out of their sober living house.

Quality sober living homes recognize that recovering from substance addiction is a multifaceted process. It rarely is enough to simply quit drugs and alcohol. Individuals in early sobriety generally have many unresolved issues and challenges that emerge when the fog of substance abuse lifts. These include damaged relationships, mental health disorders, and legal and financial problems. Sober living homes support residents as they address these underlying issues. Moreover, they provide structure and guidance for residents as they work to rebuild their lives: this can of support can range from employment assistance to financial planning. The goal, ultimately, is not only to stay sober, but to live a joyful, free, and fulfilling life in sobriety.

Sober Fun in New Mexico

For people actively drinking and abusing drugs, the state of New Mexico may appear to be one vast cesspool of bars, clubs, and drug dealers. Looking at the state with fresh and sober eyes reveals a beautiful countryside filled with scenic landscapes and opportunities for adventure. There are many activities and events in New Mexico that offer sources of sober fun. Yes, sober fun. Making the most of these opportunities is easy for sober living residents and graduates who have developed coping skills and a sober friend group.

Keep in mind, however, that in early recovery it is often helpful to leave one’s home state entirely. Recovering outside of New Mexico by attending a sober living house in California, for instance, makes it far easier to develop fresh habits and behaviors. For individuals who return home to New Mexico, however, there is much to be enjoyed. Sober life can be fun and exciting. Below are some ideas for fun sober activities in New Mexico:

Taos Ski Valley

Located in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, the Taos Ski Valley has an altitude between 8,900 and 12,500 feet above sea level. For winter sports lovers, the Taos Ski Valley has both intermediate and advanced hills. Expert skiers and snowboarders come here every year to enjoy the valley’s thrilling slopes. Even if winter sports aren’t your jam, you can simply rent a cabin and enjoy reading by the fireplace with a friend or two.

International UFO Museum and Research Center

Located in Roswell, New Mexico, the International UFO Museum and Research Center has been open for nearly 30 years. It was originally inspired by the “Roswell Incident,” a controversial event that may or may not have happened. Roswell is recognized worldwide as a major area for UFO sightings. Whether you believe in UFOs or not, these exhibits are fascinating. It offers an objective look at conspiracy theories, supposed UFO sightings, and other artifacts related to the possibility of aliens.

White Sands National Monument

Located to the southwest of Alamogordo in southern New Mexico, the White Sands National Monument is a stunning desert area. This offshoot of the Chihuahua desert lies in the Tularosa Basin, so it is surrounded by towering and rugged mountains. What makes it so glorious, however, is the gleaming white gypsum sand that covers the entire surface. Enormous sand downs tower over 60 feet high, constantly moving and changing shape. Visitors can go for a drive here, try sandboarding down a dune, or camp on the local grounds.

Carlsbad Caverns National Park

This underground park consists of almost 120 caves — though some are still yet to be discovered. It is perhaps New Mexico’s most famous tourist attraction. These limestone caves can be explored in a guided tour, though more adventurous visitors can venture on their own for a back-country hike.

Albuquerque, New Mexico

This city in the heart of New Mexico has plenty to offer, from authentic art to delicious cuisine. Its world-class museums, including the Albuquerque Museum and the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum, have new exhibits each month. The city is also famous for being the hot air ballooning capital of the world. Every autumn, Albuquerque draws more than 80,000 people to its hot air balloon festival. The festival occupies a 365-acre park and includes hundreds and hundreds of hot air balloons. The sight of the skyline — and the festivities and performances on the street below — can’t be missed.

Benefits of Sober Living Houses

Sober living houses can be utilized by people at all stages of the addiction recovery journey. Sober living homes allow residents to stay for as long as they need, often for over a year. This ensures that they have the time they need to get sober and develop the skills they need to maintain their sobriety. Addiction recovery does not happen in a day. It is an ongoing process. Residents who choose to live in a sober living house in New Mexico or elsewhere experience many benefits, including:

A Bridge to Independence

People who graduate from rehabs, especially acute treatment centers like residential rehabs, often find it jarring if they jump back abruptly into their old lives. It is important to take the time necessary to rebuild one’s life first — to develop new habits, a new career, and new relationships. For this reason, sober living homes are often recommended as part of an aftercare plan for rehab graduates. Sober livings offer much-needed support for recent graduates, allowing them to reinforce their recovery skills and restructure their lives in sobriety. Taking part in an aftercare program and staying involved in recovery is associated with lower rates of relapse overall.

Staff Support

Sober living houses are staffed by individuals who are familiar with the recovery process. In fact, in general, they have been through this process themselves. Residents benefit from close contact with staff members at all times. Sober living house managers often live on-site with the other residents. This ensures that all housemates have access at all times to staff members who can answer questions, offer support and guidance, and deal with any situations as they come up.

Social Support Systems

Research shows that the peer support that sober livings offer significantly reduces relapse rates. Given that addiction is often spoken of as a “disease of isolation,” this should come as no surprise. Talking with and living with other people who have had similar experiences can be very healing. Not only do housemates understand each other, but they keep each other accountable and mentor each other. Perhaps more importantly, the friendships that sober living residents develop tend to outlast their residencies. While living in a sober living, individuals discover that getting sober isn’t about losing access to drugs and alcohol — it’s about gaining a thriving social circle.

Solid Life Skills

Recovery is about more than just staying sober; it’s about rebuilding one’s life. To that end, sober living staff works hard to support residents as they work toward their goals. Residents are generally expected to get a job, but they also sometimes enroll in academic programs. Whether they need help writing a resume, tackling a job interview, or even just managing personal hygiene, residents will find the advice, guidance, and support they need. By the time they are ready to graduate from their sober living house, they will be more than capable of living a prosperous independent life.

Is A New Mexico Sober Living Right For Me?

New Mexico contains countless sober living homes that meet quality standards, but it might not necessarily be the best idea to remain in New Mexico. Individuals who have spent years abusing drugs and alcohol in New Mexico benefit considerably from beginning their recovery journeys elsewhere. Their home state may be triggering during the vulnerable period of early sobriety. Certain neighborhoods, old friends, and reminders of one’s old life can easily pull someone back into their old habits and ways. Sober living homes in New Mexico can help remove individuals from these triggers, but sober living homes elsewhere can be even more effective.

Recovering in a California sober living home can be a great way to avoid the pitfalls of New Mexico. Southern California is home to a thriving recovery community, in part because of the strong presence of 12-step programs in the city. Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous meetings are held 24 hours a day. Moreover, Southern California is the birthplace of a specific type of sober living home. Known as structured sober livings, these facilities offer significantly more scheduling and structure than traditional sober livings. While living in a structured sober living home, individuals can obtain a fresh lease on their lives.

Recover From Addiction at Design for Recovery

Design for Recovery is a structured sober living house for men located in Southern California. Our program is designed to help young men who have lost all hope get sober, stay sober, and rebuild their lives. We recognize that doing so often requires a complete overhaul of old habits and behaviors. To that end, our structured home offers intensive scheduling and support so that young men can make deep and profound changes.

Design for Recovery understands addiction recovery to be something much greater than the mere pursuit of abstinence. Rather, we aim to help residents rebuild every aspect of their lives. Residents start by building a foundation of values and principles to live by. Design for Recovery is structured around the philosophy of the 12-steps, but we also place an important emphasis on honesty, accountability, and integrity. These principles form a design for living that allows housemates to achieve success in any field, whether they are choosing to begin a new career or go back to college. Recovery is about rediscovering passion — and a vision for the future. Together, Design for Recovery residents do just that.

If you are ready to make a fresh start in our Los Angeles home, contact us today. Design for Recovery staff members are available at all times for a free and confidential consultation.