Homelessness affected up to 5.7 million people in the U.S. between 1987 and 1993 (Link, Suusser, Stueve, Phelan, Moore, and Stuening 1994). In one city in California, 69.1 percent of the homeless had a lifetime history for a substance use disorder (Robertson, Zlotnick, and Westerfelt, 1997). Conservative estimates of alcohol and drug problems among the homeless suggest that up to 40 percent suffer from alcohol abuse and 15 percent from drug abuse (McCarty, Argeriou, Huebner, and Lubran, 1991). Lack of sober living housing may also be associated with vulnerability to homelessness.

On any given day in the United States, one million people are in treatment for alcoholism or drug addiction. It is not getting into treatment; however, that makes the difference. Instead, it is when a person gets out of treatment. One of the most frequent and frustrating questions faced by alcohol and drug professionals is finding a place for clients to live upon completion of the program. There are often few housing options for clients upon completion of treatment. Continued abstinence from alcohol and drugs without the provision of a long-term clean and sober living environment is difficult, even if they have established a strong foundation in treatment (Polcin, Galloway, Taylor, Benowitz-Fredericks).

In 2005, De Paul University, funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) and the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse (NIAA) reported the rate of abstinence from alcohol and other drugs nearly doubled as a result of living in a supportive, democratically run sober living environment. 

P.E.L.S.A. is here to help.
"Providing Everyone Living Sober Assistance".

Our goal is to become a reputable provider of outpatient treatment services and sober siving homes throughout Southern California.  We believe everyone makes mistakes in life and by the same token, we feel that everyone is entitled to the opportunity to learn and grow from their decisions. We cater to those who are striving to better their situation with safe, affordable, drug free living environments conducive to their growth. We wish to expand our services by implementing support groups as well as clothing and food programs at our housing facilities.  These additional services will help lessen the burden of individuals striving to become acceptable, responsible and productive members of our society as they transition back into the work force. Ultimately, we endeavor to increase our capacity by serving a larger population to include women with children.  Through our un-wavering dedication, we hope to provide living space to hundreds of individuals as a direct result of our commitment to service and recovery. 

Click here to help 

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