STAYING CLEAN AFTER INCARCERATION

Coming home means a fresh start, but staying clean can be one of the toughest battles you’ll face. Freedom brings choices—but also triggers. Maybe you’re back in the same neighborhood where drugs or alcohol were easy to find. Maybe old friends are still caught up in the same cycles. This is where your commitment to yourself to staying clean after incarceration

You’re not alone in this journey. Nearly 65% of people in prison had a substance use disorder or were using when they committed their offense. There’s a path forward—and people ready to walk it with you.

Step 1: Build Your Recovery Team

You don’t have to fight addiction alone. A strong support system is one of the biggest keys to staying sober.

Join a recovery group. Free support groups like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA)hold daily meetings across Los Angeles County. In these spaces, you’ll connect with people who understand your struggle and want to see you win.

Find a mentor or sponsor. A sponsor is someone further along in recovery who can help guide you through tough moments and hold you accountable. Organizations like A New Way of Life and Homeboy Industries offer peer support and mentoring for people in reentry.

Get professional support. Many reentry programs offer free counseling and outpatient treatment to help you stay clean. You don’t have to wait until you relapse to ask for help.

 Where to Find Recovery Support in Los Angeles:

• Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) Los Angeles – Daily meetings across LA. Find a meeting near you.

• Narcotics Anonymous (NA) Southern California – Support for people recovering from drug use. Find meetings here.

• HealthRIGHT 360 – Offers free and low-cost substance use treatment, including counseling for people on parole or probation. Learn more.

• Tarzana Treatment Centers – Provides inpatient and outpatient treatment for addiction recovery. Check out their programs.

Step 2: Stay Ahead of Your Triggers

The reality is, you will be tested. Stress, boredom, loneliness—these emotions can creep in, and when they do, your old coping habits might try to resurface.

Here’s how to stay ahead of it:

Know your triggers. Think about what situations, places, or people make you want to use. Avoid them.

• Keep your hands and mind busy. Boredom is one of the biggest relapse triggers. Fill your schedule with positive activities—work, exercise, creative hobbies, or volunteer work.

• Make new connections. If your old friends are still using, it’s time to build a new circle. Surround yourself with people who support your recovery and growth.

• Get into a routine. A solid daily routine helps keep you focused. Try setting goals for work, personal growth, and even self-care.

• Take care of your mental health. Addiction and mental health go hand in hand. If stress or depression is creeping up, get support before it leads you back to using.

Step 3: Take It One Day at a Time

Recovery is a lifelong process, but you don’t have to figure it all out today. Focus on getting through one day at a time.

Every day you stay clean is a victory. Every day you show up for yourself, you’re proving that your future is bigger than your past.

Get the Support You Need

Staying sober isn’t just about avoiding relapse—it’s about building a life that makes you excited to stay clean.

Need accountability? On My Grind’s PathFinder or Mentorship program connects you with mentors, counselors, and support groups that can help keep you on track. Sign up here.

Looking for recovery resources? PathFinder can connect you with drug and alcohol treatment programs, sober living options, and peer support networks across Los Angeles.

Want to set personal goals for a healthier future? Our mentors will work with you to build a plan that keeps you focused on your growth and success.

You’ve come this far—don’t stop now. Stay committed, stay connected, and keep building the future you deserve.