Sober on Demand defines: An individual that has 5 years of sobriety is bonded, insured, and certified. They can live in your residence, and accompany you to events, work, gym, grocery, meetings, outings, and more and help you stay sober as you re-enter your life and the workforce. They can also accompany you as a sober escort to an event like a wedding, business meeting, or short-term event where a high-risk situation like drugs, alcohol, or sex will be present. A sober companion will help you overcome triggers, install coping skills, assist with budget/finance, daily living duties, and even help with anxiety, depression, mental health issues, and eating disorders. They are not babysitters and will provide as much help or as little as needed.

Absolutely. This certification adds specialized skills and credibility that complement your current role. Many treatment centers now rely on sober companions and safe transport providers to support clients outside the clinical environment — during transitions, high-risk events, or re-entry into daily life. By holding a national certification, you set yourself apart as a professional who can bridge the gap between inpatient care and real-world recovery, making you more valuable to both your employer and the clients you serve.

A sober companion is with you in person in your space (home, office, hotel) and for a specific length of time, and can travel with you nationally and internationally. A therapist will meet you in their office for 1 hour at a time to discuss your issues or work by phone or the internet. Therapists are licensed and sober companions are nationally certified, insured, and bonded. A 12 step sponsor is a peer that offers free, peer-driven support. A sober companion is a trained, certified, insured, and bonded professional individual that will assist from a professional standpoint and offer guidance, life skills, trigger management and assist with other duties. Sponsors have no real formal training other than having experienced an addiction, whereas certified sober companions have the lived experience as well both also have formal and professional training.

While there is no state or federal guideline, you should have 5 years of sobriety, be bonded, and be insured with experience. The Addictions Academy has offered the first national certification and credential as a certified sober companion.

Most sober companions make between $300 to $2500 per day (a 24-hour span) for services. Clients that will pay this higher rate to expect high-quality education and training and value for services not just being drug to meetings and running life errands. The lower pay rate you can find at a lot of the companies offering sober support services as a pay structure for their staff.

Most students complete the training and earn their certification in 8 to 10 weeks. You’ll have access to on-demand video modules, plus 10 weeks of live mentorship, so you can move at your own pace with expert guidance along the way.