Alcoholism and drug addiction have become prevalent in West Virginia and have affected so many families.
West Virginia Sober Living (WVSL), formerly known as Morgantown Sober Living (MSL), has been instrumental in offering structure and support for men and women recovering from Substance Use Disorders (SUDs) in West Virginia.
WHY DID MORGANTOWN SOBER LIVING CHANGE ITS NAME?
West Virginia has the highest rate of overdose deaths in the United States.
Substance Use Disorders have become prevalent to all of West Virginia, not just Morgantown. We, as an organization, have an obligation to help people recover and reintegrate themselves back into the community.
Through various grant efforts and social enterprises, we are expanding our services outside of Monongalia County.
We are working with Coalfield Development through Reintegrate Appalachia.
Reintegrate Appalachia (Reintegrate) is a job creation and workforce development project specifically designed for those recovering from substance use disorders (SUD). This project combines Coalfield Development Corporation’s successful 33-6-3 workforce development model with Morgantown Sober Living, Inc., now, West Virginia Sober Living’s addiction treatment expertise and recovery monitoring approach to create the 33-6- 3-PLUS model for project participants.
Reintegrate offers the comprehensive support needed for West Virginians recovering from an abused substance to sustain their recovery and obtain job-related skills necessary for employment. The project re-engages each participant in their community through meaningful employment, the opportunity to continue their education and grow their professional skills, and continuation of the clinical and peer-to- peer support needed to maintain sobriety.
Each participant is required to participate in full-time employment (33 hours weekly) through new social enterprises and employment partners, higher education in the community / technical college setting (6 hours weekly), personal/professional development and mentorship (3 hours weekly) and a robust addiction recovery monitoring program. This award will allow Reintegrate to create and place 75 people into jobs through two new social enterprises and 13 employment partners.
Our program with Coalfield Development, Reintegrate Appalachia, takes individuals with substance use disorders, gives them jobs and helps them build a community to help them through the journey.
Additionally, West Virginia Sober Living has partnered with WVU Health Science Center (WVU School of Public Health and WVU School of Medicine), and various community partners in Monongalia County on an initiative titled WV PEERS. WV PEERS employs a network of certified Peer Recovery Coaches (PRC) within the community that it’s serving. This program, which currently has seven PRCs working in the Mon County community, connects individuals that struggle with opioid-use disorder to PRCs and services they need to live a healthier and fulfilling lifestyle
WHAT IS WEST VIRGINIA SOBER LIVING?
WVSL is a non-profit corporation that is designed to reintegrate recovering individuals back into their community.
WVSL offers two homes, one for men and one for women. The residents in the program live at one of the two homes for a period of six to 12 months and will begin to develop strong relations and demonstrate transparency in their daily life to maintain accountability to the group they are in.
The WVSL program is centered on the principles of 12 Steps. Through the program, each resident will gain independence and responsibility, both financially and emotionally, as they become the person they want to be, which is the ultimate goal.
A safe, caring and supportive environment is provided for residents to begin living a sober lifestyle and developing healthy new relationships in the region’s active recovery community.
WVSL accommodates each individual that has been through primary treatment and desires a sober living environment as they progress in their recovery. Residents are expected to remain drug and alcohol free, actively participate in a 12-step recovery program and work, volunteer or be enrolled in school full-time.
WVSL has a softball team, and they go on monthly outings to amusement parks, the movies, paintball fields or other activities of the groups’ choosing.
Graduates of the program come back to the house for a weekly recovery meeting and also stop by throughout the week to meet with the new residents and fellowship.
SIGNS & SYMPTOMS OF SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS
Signs and symptoms of substance and alcohol abuse and dependence can manifest differently for everyone. These include:
Alcohol Issues
- Personality changes and lost interest in hobbies
- Relationship issues, legal complications or work-related troubles
- Hidden drinking or drinking alone
- High alcohol tolerance
- Excessive drinking or inability to limit consumption
- Expressions of guilt about drinking
- Withdrawal symptoms when not drinking
Drug Issues
- Lying, manipulation and reliability issues
- Relationship issues, legal complications or work-related troubles
- Mood swings
- Isolation
- Stealing money and/or medications
- Lack of focus
- Physical changes such as red eyes, weight loss or constant itching
- Insomnia
- Problems gaining or maintaining employment
WEST VIRGINIA SOBER LIVING | SOBER LIVING HOMES IN WEST VIRGINIA
If you feel that your loved one has spiraled out of control with abuse or dependence, it’s time to get help.
As a loved one, you should not have a constant concern about your loved one, and you should never feel that your family is being torn apart.
If you are done waiting for the issue to fix itself and need solid advice, give us a call. It’s time to do the right thing for your family.