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Many people transition into a sober living facility after professional addiction treatment. These programs can be monumentally helpful during the course of recovery and allow an individual to receive the support they need to continue their safer, sober life after treatment has ended. Get help at
800-914-7089
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today to find sober living and rehab centers and to learn about living in recovery.
What are Sober Living Houses?
A sober living house is a facility where individuals in recovery can live together and avoid the temptations of substance abuse. Unlike in inpatient treatment centers, residents can come and go whenever they please and are expected to pay for their room and board.
Therefore, having a job and other social supports is beneficial––and often mandatory–– for those who choose to live in sober homes. These facilities usually have a number of rules that residents must abide by, including:
- Never bringing mind-altering substances into the home.
- Being accountable for the time you spend outside the facility.
- Keeping the home clean and neat by working together with the other residents and fulfilling certain chores.
- Attending weekly resident meetings where all individuals living in the home discuss their progress and their hopes for the following week.
- Sleeping in the home a certain number of nights a week (usually five).
- Paying rent on time.
- Attending 12-step support meetings regularly (or another type of program depending on the facility and the specific resident).
- Being courteous and kind to the other residents.
Residents normally share rooms with roommates in order to create an atmosphere of accountability and support. Sober living houses are a wonderful type of transitional program that can highly benefit those working on creating a stronger recovery.
How Does Sober Living Work?
Individuals are given more freedom in sober homes than in residential treatment facilities, but there is still a level of supervision and the ability for residents to stay in a semi-controlled environment. This minimizes the chance of relapse as well as other issues that can occur with recovery and the process of leaving treatment such as loneliness, depression, and lack of social support.
Since the residents pay rent and clean the home, everything is managed through a team effort. There are no official treatment programs in most sober living homes, but residents may either be strongly suggested or required to attend 12-step group meetings regularly. In some cases, a resident may decide to attend individualized counseling or another type of group therapy instead, but this is usually on a case-by-case basis.
These facilities allow residents to work and live in the real world while still providing them a safety net, creating a fusion of residential care, social support, and independence building that is beneficial to many recovering addicts.
Who Needs Sober Living?
People from different walks of life and in different places in their recoveries may gain certain advantages from sober living. This program is very specific in its rules and the benefits it provides, so it is important to consider whether or not it may be helpful to you before deciding to move in.
People who have just left residential treatment often fare very well in sober living houses. Many inpatient and residential rehab programs encourage patients to live in sober homes after they leave the facility and even make the transition easier by facilitating the patient’s move from one place to the other.
This is a wonderful stepping-stone for those who have been in residential treatment and are ready for a less controlled environment that still provides safety and support. We can also help you find a rehab program that will allow you to transition into sober living after your treatment has ended.
Individuals who do not have strong social support systems at home often gain a considerable amount by living in one of these homes after treatment. With this option, they are able to surround themselves with others who understand what it’s like to recover from substance abuse, why sobriety is so important, and how the entire process feels.
Additionally, the other residents will care for you and want to see you succeed, which could be very helpful to you after leaving inpatient care, especially if you do not have the kind of social support you need at home.
Because of the requirement that residents pay rent, it is best that you have a job or a source of income to live in one of these facilities. In many cases, those who run sober houses may be willing to help you find employment, but this varies from facility to facility.
Some individuals choose sober living as an alternative to residential treatment, but it is important to consider whether or not you may need professional care first. If you have never attended an inpatient rehab program before and have struggled with ending your substance abuse in the past, it is probably best that you do choose an inpatient program before moving on to sober living.
However, if you have lived and been treated in a residential facility already and need to seek help again, you could benefit from choosing sober living as an alternative to this type of care. Call
800-914-7089
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to get the help you need, today.
How Do I Choose a Sober Living Program?
Choosing a sober living home has many steps, but you will be able to receive quite a bit of help from your treatment center when doing so.
- When you are ready to transition out of inpatient care, discuss the option of sober living homes with your doctor. They may know of one close by or one that is affiliated with your rehab facility. This way, you can receive considerable assistance with your transition from rehab to sober living, which can make the process much smoother.
- Some questions to ask when considering a specific sober home include:
- What is the cost of the rent?
- Would I have a roommate?
- Will I be required to attend support group meetings?
- What else do you require of your residents?
- What are your rules pertaining to visiting hours, curfew, attending support group meetings, etc.?
It can also help to visit the home before you decide to live there. You will want to make sure you feel comfortable enough to stay there and live your life by the rules of the facility. Ask the other residents how they feel about the home, and make sure you feel comfortable around them as well. This program relies heavily on peer support and residents working together in order to create the kind of strong dynamic necessary for those in recovery.
Seeking Sober Living Homes
These facilities are an extremely beneficial option for those in a transitional phase or who require more support as they work through their recovery efforts. Once you are ready to leave your addiction treatment program, sober living may be the right choice for you.
We can help you find rehab centers, sober homes, and other programs that will help you make the kind of change you want in your life and become a happier, healthier person. Get help today – call
800-914-7089
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to find the right substance abuse treatment for your current stage of recovery.
