Sober living facilities may be right for you if you need a safe living environment and a support system after an inpatient rehab program.
About 50 percent of people who complete an addiction treatment program may relapse at least once. One reason for relapsing is an unstable living situation, which can cause stress, violence, and a return to substance abuse.
Sober living homes provide a community and support for people with unstable living situations.
You may also receive treatment for your health conditions and attend 12-step meetings during your stay. Finding the right sober living house for you can help you stay drug- or alcohol-free in the long term.
What Is A Sober Living Home?
Sober living homes may not offer evidence-based addiction treatment. Instead, they offer a safe living environment after you complete an addiction recovery program.
The stability and support from a sober living home can help you stay alcohol- or drug-free while you return to your daily life.
Halfway Vs. Sober-Living Homes
Sober living houses and halfway houses are similar, as they both offer safe housing, some treatment services, and a sober environment for their residents. Halfway houses may have a limit on your length of stay, while sober living houses may not.
What To Expect
Some sober living homes may provide on-site employment and life skills training, so you can achieve independent living in the future. Sober living residents may begin returning to work, school, or other daily obligations to begin their transition back to their lives.
Pros Of Sober-Living Facilities
Sober living facilities place you in a supportive environment. You may be surrounded by people who have similar experiences with drug and alcohol abuse, who have also completed a substance abuse treatment program.
House Rules
Sober living houses may have house rules, which can help you stay sober and give you a sense of normalcy. House rules in a sober home may include:
- no alcohol or drug abuse
- following curfew
- do chores according to the schedule
- treating everyone with respect
- attending house meetings with other residents and the house managers
- sleep at the sober living home a certain number of times per week
- agree to random drug testing
You may also attend a 12-step program, such as Alcoholics Anonymous, to form and bond with your support group network. Sober living residents may be recommended or even required to attend 12-step meetings at least once a week.
Cons Of Sober-Living Facilities
Some sober living houses may have rules that do not align with your recovery process. You may also need treatment options for your health conditions, including aftercare services from your addiction treatment provider. Not all sober living houses may offer these services.
Your insurance coverage may not help pay for sober living facilities. This is because sober living homes may not be considered mental health treatment centers under the law. Sober living homes can be expensive for some people.
Contacting your sober living facility about their rules, services, and payment options can help you find a facility that works for you.
Find Recovery Housing That Works For You
Drug or alcohol addictions, also known as substance use disorders, are chronic conditions with no true cure. People with a substance use disorder may need support and care to avoid falling back into their addiction.
A professional treatment program can give you the support and care you need to manage your addiction. Contact Northeast Addictions Recovery Center for an alcohol or drug addiction treatment program that works for you and your loved ones.
We can provide evidence-based treatment options such as medical detox (via our sister facility), behavioral therapy, mental health care, and aftercare services. Our services can help you and your loved ones on your recovery journey.
Keep Reading:
- 6 Elements Of An Effective Aftercare Plan
- Are 12- Step Programs Effective?
- What Is Sober Tourism?
- How To Make Sober Friends In Addiction Recovery
- The Benefits of A Recovery Coach
Sources
- Addiction Science & Clinical Practice – Sober living houses: research in northern and southern California
- Journal of Psychoactive Drugs – What Did We Learn from Our Study on Sober Living Houses and Where Do We Go From Here?