After completing treatment at a recovery center, you can begin getting back to your life and everyday schedule and participating in new activities to support your sobriety. However, transitioning back to independent living can pose some risks for newly sober individuals, especially those who live in unhealthy home environments that encourage or trigger their substance use. To stay on the path to recovery, individuals must have a supportive and comfortable place to live.
Discover more about what sober living is, what it entails and how it can help you or a loved one maintain current progress.
What Is a Sober Living House?
A sober living home offers a transitional program that supports you after leaving rehab. It provides a safe, substance-free living environment that helps you avoid any triggers that can cause relapse. You’re not required to be in a rehab program currently or be transitioning out of one to stay in a sober living facility. However, you must remain sober throughout your stay, which is why most clients have already participated in detox and substance use treatment before living in the facility.
When researching sober living facilities, keep these points in mind as crucial characteristics that an ideal home should have:
- A structured environment with a set of sensible rules
- Quality on-site staff to hold you accountable for maintaining sobriety while preserving your independence
- A peaceful and safe living space
- Outpatient therapy sessions, such as group therapy
- Effective tools and programs for teaching you necessary life skills
What Is Life Like in a Sober Living House?
Sober living gives you the tools for success by encouraging self-sufficiency and setting ground rules that instill healthy coping skills and management of responsibilities. A high-quality sober living facility will accomplish those things while still respecting your freedom or allowing more freedoms after appropriate stages. Here are a few things you can expect when staying in a sober living house:
- Sober living rules: Specific rules vary by each facility, but you may need to follow guidelines such as respecting a curfew, handling responsibilities like household chores, following time limits for phone use and attending all group meetings. Individuals in a sober living facility may also have to do random drug tests to ensure no substances are in their system.
- Activities: People who use substances often spend much of their time trying to obtain drugs or alcohol, and when they become sober, they find themselves with free time they don’t know how to fill. At a sober living house, you’ll be introduced to new activities to keep you productive and assist your sobriety, like volunteering and exercising.
- Opportunities for self-improvement: These opportunities include any life skills you learn while at the facility, such as financial management and relationship building, but you will also be expected to look for a job or seek education during your stay. For sober living homes that offer outpatient therapy, this component can help you uncover the root causes of your addiction and work through any traumas or mental health conditions you may have. Knowing the reasons can better prevent you from falling into familiar unhealthy habits.
- Help from on-site staff: You’ll also have access to compassionate and knowledgeable on-site professionals who can aid in your recovery. Professionals will always be available to reinforce the tools and knowledge you’ve gained and assist with any difficulties you may encounter. Staff members help ensure the home is a safe space for residents so everyone can stay on track.
Who Is a Good Fit for Sober Living?
People who have finished treatment in a rehab center are often a good fit for sober living, as they no longer have substances in their system and can focus more fully on recovery with a reduced chance of relapse. Many people in this situation and trying to locate an aftercare program can benefit from staying at a sober facility. Sober living can also be a fitting solution for people without support systems at home or those who live in triggering environments. Separating from people and places that facilitate the urge to use substances is necessary for many clients.
Individuals living in the home must be able to follow all house rules and work together to protect the peace and sobriety of everyone staying there. That includes expressing emotions through healthy outlets and communicating clearly and kindly with others — these skills will also be taught and refined through therapy. Occupants of the home must also pay all dues on time to continue their stay without issue.
Generally, anyone who believes they may need additional help staying sober and creating a new way of life after addiction can see if a sober living home is right for them.
Why Choose Sober Living?
A sober living environment can help you get back on your feet without you simultaneously needing to manage all the aspects of independent living. Reintegrating into society isn’t always a straightforward process after spending time in rehab, but sober living can fill the gap and prepare you to support yourself. Sober living homes with an outpatient therapy component are especially helpful for recovery, as these facilities can give more detailed care when assisting you in setting personal goals, combating depression and anxiety and enacting self-care techniques.
Mental health disorders often occur alongside or cause substance use. Over one in four adults with serious mental health conditions also uses drugs or alcohol. Having access to therapy lets you continue treating your mental health conditions to maintain your recovery progress. A holistic recovery approach that considers all aspects of an individual — physical, mental, emotional and more — can be better for seeing and maintaining positive results. That way, you have a higher possibility of successfully reintegrating into society with all your new skills to assist you.
Choose Crest View Recovery Center for Outpatient Therapy and Sober Living
In taking the next step of your recovery journey, know that all the support you need is available — you are not alone in overcoming addiction. At a sober living home, you can trust in a peaceful environment with like-minded people and caring guidance from on-site staff.
With Crest View Recovery Center, you’ll have access to individualized therapy services and a sober living center that will help you on the road to becoming your best self. By specializing in dual diagnosis treatment, we help individuals who are managing mental health disorders alongside recovery. We will also work with you to get you the care you need at an affordable cost.
Make recovery a reality for yourself or a loved one by reaching out to us today. Call us at (866) 327-2505, or fill out our online form for more information.
