Sober Trends in 2023: What Everyone in Recovery Should Know in the New Year

The state of mental health and substance abuse recovery is constantly evolving. Not that long ago, there was a heavy stigma surrounding anyone who struggled in these areas.

Today, many communities and families are more understanding and are putting in the work to help reduce that stigma and find solutions that work for everyone.

As we move into 2023, here are some sober trends that we are looking forward to.

Medical Advancements

One medical advancement that is gaining in popularity is the idea of Harm Reduction. Instead of focusing on punitive consequences for drug use, like incarceration and marginalization, Harm Reduction works to minimize consequences and promote health and inclusion.

Harm Reduction programs typically include strategies like:

• Needle exchange programs
• Overdose prevention sites
• Supervised injection and consumption sites
• Withdrawal management
• Immunity for drug law violations

While some people say these types of programs are an endorsement of drug use, more often they are seen as a way to improve public health by treating addiction like the illness it is. Harm Reduction is an effective treatment for many types of addictions and leads to better outcomes than things like jail time.

New Laws

In many areas of the country, opioid overdoses continue to reach near-record highs. As communities are devastated by the opioid epidemic, some states are passing new laws that make it easier to access medication that combats addiction.

Earlier in 2022, the Ohio House of Representatives passed the Mainstream Addiction and Treatment Act. This is a bill that allows doctors and other practitioners to prescribe Buprenorphine without needing a waiver from the Drug Enforcement Administration.

Buprenorphine is a drug that is typically prescribed to help treat pain along with addiction to opioids. The drug diminishes the effects of opioid dependency, including withdrawal symptoms and cravings.

This drug can provide crucial support for many people trying to overcome an addiction to opioids. Laws like the one in Ohio create an easier pathway for many people working toward recovery.

Reduced Stigma

Missouri is also taking steps toward a healthier and more productive future for everyone. Recently, the Recovery Friendly Workplace initiative sent out a state-wide survey asking employees how well their employers supported substance recovery.

Doug Swanson, a Missouri University Extension workforce development specialist, said, “We’ve got to move beyond the ‘just say no’ employment practices of the 1990s. The status quo of drug testing and termination for failed tests just isn’t working in today’s society when we’re facing such different workforce needs and stresses.”

The survey asks workers about policies surrounding substance use and addiction along with how employers handle workers in recovery.

The 2022 survey will build on the results from a 2021 survey. In that survey, nearly 40% of employers said they experienced decreased productivity because of substance use disorders and almost half experienced absenteeism because of drug use.

Swanson says employers need to develop supportive policies that make it easier, not harder, for people to get back to work.

Social Trends

One emerging social trend that seems to be gaining in popularity is young people giving up alcohol. According to survey results from Morning Consult, more and more adults are making New Year’s resolutions to give up alcohol.

In 2020 and earlier, about 11% of adults said they were giving up alcohol. This number rose to 13% in 2021 and then jumped even higher in 2022 with an impressive 19%. This trend has been called Dry January and is a part of a growing number of “sober-curious” people, particularly among millennials and the Gen Z population.

Make 2023 Your Year of Recovery

As we move into 2023, we are hopeful to see these trends continue to grow. Are you feeling hopeful about these sober trends for 2023?

If you or a loved one is working toward recovery, a sober living facility may help them achieve their recovery goals. At Ethos Recovery, we offer a community-focused facility that promotes health, recovery, and camaraderie.

Want to learn more about Ethos Recovery? Contact us today to start a conversation.