Introduction
Most of you will be familiar with rehabilitation or rehab. Rehab is an intensive, holistic program that facilitates recovery from substance use disorders or addiction. Rehab is of two types: inpatient rehab and outpatient rehab. While most of this is self-explanatory, something related that you also need to know about is a sober living home.
When you decide to go on the recovery journey, we understand how challenging it can be. So, it is good for you to be well-equipped with all the information. In this article, we will provide you with all the details regarding the sober living home and how it works.
What is a Sober Living Home?
A sober living home is a residence where you can live during your recovery for a while. It can be after an inpatient rehab program or during an outpatient rehab program, as intensive outpatient programs will not require any stay at the rehabilitation center.
Sober living homes are like your home and still different. Sober living homes endeavor to provide you with a clean, structured, and supportive environment after you have embarked upon your journey toward recovery and are still navigating that sensitive time when you are not entirely ready to live independently. A supportive environment means you will receive certain benefits like one-on-one mentoring, life skills training, career mentoring, 12-step programs, and more. You will also have immediate access to care.
In sober living homes, you will be living with other residents who are also on a similar journey toward recovery as you are. So, you also experience a sense of belonging and community, which will be crucial in your recovery. There will also be certain rules regarding what you can and cannot do. However, these rules can vary from one home to another.
Types of Sober Living Homes
Now that you have an idea regarding what is a sober living home, let's seek to understand the different types of sober living homes there are so that you can choose one that is a perfect fit for you:
Integrated Treatment Homes - This sober living home will closely resemble your experience at a rehab center. In that, you will:
Be in close contact with specialists who will be a part of the sober living home's staff.
Daily schedules involve one-on-one mentoring, group therapy, and 12-step recovery meetings.
Strict enforcement of rules and supervision.
This kind of sober living home is ideal for you if you need more intensive support after a rehab program.
Supervised Homes - This sober living home provides professional, structured support. Some of the benefits you will receive are:
Staff or case managers who will provide you with recovery skills coaching.
Relapse prevention, life skills training, and job coaching.
Strict adherence to daily routines.
Monitored Homes - This sober living home provides oversight, and you will have one supervisor to ensure that all the rules are followed. Some of the benefits you will receive are:
Consistent house meetings.
Regular alcohol and drug screenings.
12-step meetings.
Personal growth and employment assistance.
Peer-Run Homes - This sober living home, as the name suggests, is run by the residents and has no paid staff. It offers the highest level of independence out of all the sober living homes. Some benefits you will receive are:
Rules and operations exist. However, there is democratic decision-making.
Minimal structure and works well if you need long-term sober support.
A cost-effective option.
Rules Of Sober Living Homes
Specific rules may vary from one sober living home to the other, even from one type of sober living to the other. Generally speaking, however, these are some of the kinds of rules you may have to follow when you choose to live in a sober living home during your recovery:
Sobriety - The one fundamental rule that you will find in any sober living home you go to is sobriety. That is, you are required to abstain from alcohol and drugs. Failing to do so will not only violate the principles of a sober living home but will also go against the primary purpose of a sober living home.
Attendance - Sober living homes will conduct meetings, 12-step programs, one-on-one mentoring, group therapy, and other training sessions. You are expected to attend all of these scheduled meetings.
Curfew - Most sober living homes will have a curfew in place to promote structure and responsibility. You will be required to strictly adhere to this curfew.
Respect - As you will be living with other residents during your stay at a sober living home, you are required to respect them and be considerate toward them. This means respecting their privacy and boundaries and supporting them in their recovery as they will support you in yours.
Chores - When you choose to become a resident of a sober living home, you will be assigned some daily chores and responsibilities. For instance, you may be required to clean, maintain personal spaces, or contribute to the orderliness of the sober living home. You will be required to perform these chores consistently.
Finances - As a resident of a sober living home, you will be required to pay fees. The cost of a sober living home can vary depending on the services and amenities provided as well as the location.
Education and Employment - Many sober living homes emphasize that the residents engage in educational and vocational pursuits. So, you will be required to actively pursue the same or engage in activities that will contribute to your sobriety and personal growth.
Treatment - A sober living home is different from your regular home in that you will have immediate access to treatment and care. Adherence to the recommended treatment or care, like outpatient therapy/counseling or 12-step recovery meetings, will be expected of you.
Visitors - Your sober living home will have a policy regarding the visitors you can and cannot have. Mostly, having visitors overnight or visitors who use substances will not be allowed. However, approved visitors can visit you during scheduled hours and will have to register before.
All sober living homes will have certain rules that you will be required to follow. Violations will most definitely lead to consequences. While the consequences for violating rules may differ, some common ones include verbal warnings, probation, and, in severe cases, even termination.
Benefits of Sober Living
If you have chosen to spend your recovery time in a sober living home, then there will be plenty of benefits available for you:
Stable Environment - Many times, those in outpatient rehab or recovery do not have stable, loving home environments to go to. In these cases, sober living homes provide a stable, supportive environment where you can relax and focus solely on your recovery.
Community - Building sober connections is integral to your recovery. Sober living homes provide you with these connections as you will be living with other residents who share the same aim of sobriety. They will support you as you will support them and heal together.
Recovery - Unlike regular homes, most sober living homes will provide you with recovery-related mentoring/coaching and even provide access to 12-step recovery meetings to enable lasting recovery.
Improvement - Most sober living home residents report that living in this kind of structured, supportive environment improves their symptoms and enables them to overcome mental health challenges as well, highlighting the importance of mental health in the recovery journey.
Reduction in Illegal Behavior - Substance use disorders are very closely linked with legal entanglements. When you stay at a sober living home during your recovery, there is also a reduction in behaviors that can lead to legal troubles. In the same vein, residing in a sober living home also improves the chances of finding stable employment.
How to Find the Right Sober Living Home
By now, you may have made up your mind about whether a sober living home is the right choice for you or not, whether you are in outpatient rehab or recovery. The next question is how can you find a sober living home that is a perfect fit for you.
Well, to begin with, most rehabilitation centers collaborate with sober living homes. So, when you enroll in an inpatient or outpatient rehab, you can contact your case manager and speak with them regarding a sober living home that you feel is right for you. Or, even your case manager can help you zero in on a sober living home that will be a perfect fit for you, given your needs and goals.
You can also speak with your primary healthcare provider regarding sober living homes, and they can suggest or put you in contact with those who will be better able to direct you. You can also ask your family, friends, or other trusted persons.
Finally, you can use online tools to your advantage. A simple Google search of "Sober living homes near me" will give you the sober living homes near you. You can check their websites, services, and amenities, read testimonials, and then choose the one that seems right for you. When you have the time, you can even visit to get a better idea of how the sober living home looks and whether you see yourself during your recovery there.
Final Reflections
A sober living home is an ideal option for you if you need a stable environment to stay in your recovery after your inpatient rehab or even a place to stay during an outpatient rehab program. A sober living home is not something you might encounter in your daily life, so it is fair not to know what it is. But now that you know, you are all the more knowledgeable regarding the options you have in your journey toward recovery.
Finally, what we can say is sober living homes do increase your chances of sobriety and reduce the chances of relapse. There are a lot of benefits to be had with a sober living home, so trust your heart and go with the option that will best aid you during your recovery.
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