Learn Top 7 US Cities for Sober Livi...

Top 7 US Cities for Sober Living #3 Will Surprise You

Top 7 US Cities for Sober Living #3 Will Surprise You
By
Nikki Seay
Nikki Seay
Author
Updated December 16, 2019

What makes a city particularly appealing for recovering addicts? Some say it’s high numbers of weekly AA/NA meetings; others say it’s simply a low percentage of drug and alcohol use. While both are certainly valuable components of sober living, sustained sobriety can often hinge on a city’s available community resources.

While plenty of cities provide community support and programs centering on sobriety, seven U.S. cities stand out from the rest, and a few might surprise you. If you’re looking for a recovery-friendly place to call home, you’ll definitely want to keep these American cities in mind.

1. Yakima, WA

A wide river flowing past a large, sun-drenched grassy hill under a bright sky with scattered clouds, with a lone person standing near the water's edge

Yakima has pulled off what some might consider impossible; they’ve come together politically, economically, and personally to champion sobriety. Yakima’s treatment and prevention providers equally share funding, ensuring no recovery program is ever forced out of business. What’s more, Yakima’s Drug Free Communities Coalition successfully decreased drug abuse by almost half in five years.

2. Delray Beach, FL

A high-altitude aerial view of a long, sandy coastline meeting bright blue ocean waves, with a lush green residential area and high-rise buildings stretching along the shore

Delray Beach is home to one of the most thriving recovery communities in the nation. Since the town is rather small, recovering addicts are able to form lasting and valuable friendships. People are commonly seen reading the “Big Book” and sipping coffee around town. Delray Beach also offers a large number of affordable halfway houses, boasting more than 1,200 beds in the city.

3. Harlem, NY

Row of classic brownstone townhouses with intricate stonework, bay windows, and prominent stoops lining a sunny, tree-lined street

Record numbers of teenagers are struggling with addiction and chronic relapse, making community resources more important than ever. In response, Harlem established academies that combine schools and community resources. What makes this program especially impressive is that it extends into the afternoon and evening, giving kids a safe and sober place to spend time.

Harlem’s model led to the creation of the largest school-community prevention system in the country: Communities in Schools (CIS).

4. Atlanta, GA

Elevated view of the Atlanta skyline at sunset, with golden light reflecting off glass skyscrapers and green highway interchanges in the foreground

Atlanta is determined to keep its children drug free. Following Harlem’s lead, Atlanta launched the first CIS community outside of Harlem. The Atlanta CIS also caters to parents. In fact, one CIS parent group developed PRIDE Survey, which tracks research for parents, monitors substance abuse, and pushes for prevention in schools.

5. San Diego, CA

Ocean Beach Pier extending far into the Pacific Ocean during a golden sunset, with a lone surfer carrying a board walking along the sandy shore

San Diego boasts an impressive community of sober living homes and clubs for the newly sober. The city has also received praise for the development of Drug Free Communities in neighborhoods throughout the county, along with the San Diego Second Chance program that creates opportunities for sober living.

6. Nashville, TN

The Nashville city skyline at twilight, featuring the

Nashville is proud of its commitment to sober living. Not only does the city have the highest number of support clubs and gatherings, it also has one of the lowest alcohol consumption rates in the nation. Music city also holds a number of sober living celebrations throughout the year. Nashville’s recovery community regularly enjoys innovative activities like social mixers, outdoor events, and dinner parties.

7. Boston, MA

A vibrant city square featuring historic brick buildings with green trees in the foreground, set against a backdrop of modern skyscrapers and the Custom House Tower under a sunset sky

Boston’s Mayor Martin J. Walsh recently announced that his administration is ready to bring “new support to the recovery community.” With thousands of Boston addicts being denied access to support, Mayor Walsh forged a relationship with the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Foundation.
Together, they will evaluate the Boston recovery community’s current status and immediate needs. Once determined, multiple new and cutting-edge sober living initiatives will be launched around the city.

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