Author: Charles Frank
What Is A Sober Living Home?
If you’re having a hard time adjusting to a sober life, reach out to a mental health professional who specializes in addiction and substance use. While a sober living house doesn’t offer individual or group counseling, it offers structure and support to help you maintain your sobriety. Additionally, maintaining your sobriety typically requires a home that is free of substances. Sober living facilities are often thought of as a sober person’s pipeline to life in mainstream society. Sober living homes work by offering a structured and supportive environment for individuals transitioning from intensive recovery programs back into regular life.
Halfway houses and sober living homes fall under the larger umbrella of recovery housing. While both facilities offer support for the newly substance-free, the two are distinguishable by fundamental differences. People in recovery receive peer support and accountability in a level-one sober living home.
Sober Living Homes Versus Halfway Houses
While they are both residences designed to support folks in maintaining sobriety and transitioning back into society, there are some key differences. A supportive and structured environment is a cornerstone of the success of sober living houses. While some sober living homes may incorporate evidence-based therapies and holistic approaches, the primary emphasis is fostering a community prioritizing healing and well-being. Many people recovering from drug addiction or alcoholism reassess their closest relationships and friendships, often finding that many relationships were grounded on substance abuse. By continuing your recovery process at a sober living home, you’ll surround yourself with peers committed to sobriety and embracing sober living.
Is There a Difference Between Sober Living and Halfway Houses?
Additionally, sober living homes often support residents in balancing work, recovery meetings, and house commitments. The absence of drugs and alcohol ensures a safe environment, reducing the chance of relapse. The time an individual spends in a sober living environment can vary, ranging from a few months to over a year, depending on their unique recovery journey. Generally speaking, because sober living homes are tailored to those in drug and alcohol recovery, you will probably prefer to enroll in these programs.
How Can I Pay for Sober Living?
Research on sober living houses also states that residents experience a higher possibility of securing employment and a lower likelihood of getting arrested. Suppose you’ve recently relapsed and found that the stress of being in environments around alcohol and drugs or a lack of structure is particularly triggering. If you or someone you know has recently quit drinking alcohol and is now sober—congratulations, quitting alcohol can be a long and difficult process. However, you might be wondering what happens now that the detox is over, you’ve completed your stay at an addiction treatment center, and it is time to go home. As for the “impact of sober living homes on the broader community,” they mitigate the societal effects of addiction and promote understanding and support for those in recovery. Halfway houses tend to offer a shorter length of stay, and your tenure there may be determined by probation or parole requirements.
- Sober living homes can be a good option for individuals struggling with addiction who are looking for a safe and supportive place to heal.
- After completing a sober living program, you are encouraged to continue your professional or academic pursuits.
- If you recently completed a treatment program, contact the staff there for referrals to local sober living homes.
- Sober living homes are generally less expensive than inpatient treatment centers.
- A sober living house is a peer-managed home designed to help people maintain sobriety.
- Most programs will admit us if we’re drug- and alcohol-free, as long as we’re serious about staying that way.
HOW LONG DO YOU STAY IN SOBER LIVING
A variety of other studies have also found that sober living homes appear to be an effective component of the recovery process. Sober living homes usually house only same-sex residents and require residents to complete either a detox program or an inpatient rehab program before moving in. Additionally, residents must agree to a number of rules when they move in. A great way to find a sober living house in your area is first to explore your network. Not all sober living homes are equal, so finding a place that an acquaintance has recommended could be helpful.
This consistent accountability is key for many in avoiding potential relapses. Plus, we’re always introducing new features to optimize your in-app experience. We recently launched our in-app chatbot, Melody, powered by the world’s most powerful AI technology. Melody is here to help as you adjust to a life with less (or no) alcohol.
Many sober living homes are covered under insurance plans or government funding. Given these struggles, men-only homes usually focus on early treatment, mental health support, relapse prevention, and aftercare programs. Sober living homes are for people who have completed a treatment program but need additional support to sustain long-term recovery. Some SLHs offer intensive outpatient services, including on-site medical care.
But sober living homes can be beneficial for anyone in recovery who does not have a supportive, substance-free environment to go home to. The best facilities employ compassionate staff and enforce strict rules that support the recovery process. All of a sober house’s residents are expected to pursue better health and a substance-free life. While sober living houses have research touting their efficacy, it is also important to remember that they are still environments where you are living with others and the focus is on staying sober. These function as facilities where individuals who were previously homeless can live as they begin to find stability and move towards securing independent housing. Reframe packs the support of a sober living facility into an easy-to-use phone app.