Substance abuse impacts an individual’s life and their family members. As per NIH, 4.2 million young people binge at least once a month, whereas 825,000 young people binge drink for five or more days. Rehabilitation centers can help addicts get back on their daily life, but sober living homes enable them to stay on track when they return to their homes.
Sober living homes are excellent resources for the transitional sober living phase of life. But what is sober living?
Individuals keeping alcohol and drugs at a bay and living an independent life are known as living in sober living or sobriety. Individuals choose sober living houses to recover mentally, physically, and emotionally from alcohol and substance abuse.
At times these houses are also known as halfway houses. These homes guide an individual throughout the recovery process. The special living environment at sober houses serves as a pathway to re-enter mainstream society and begin a new tomorrow.
WHAT IS A SOBER LIVING HOME?
Patients returning from a rehabilitation center and entering the new phase of sobriety may struggle in getting back to daily life. Staying at sober homes supports the changes the resident has undergone and encourages them to continue those healthy habits.
These houses are usually situated in quiet and calm places with peaceful neighborhoods and offer an alcohol and drug-free environment. Residents of sober homes can focus on their aim of recovering.
SOBER LIVING FACILITIES
Transiting into a sober life? Or finding the transition bit difficult?
Not to worry!
Sober homes are the bridging platforms for addicted individuals facing the real world after their rehab program. These houses offer supportive, safe housing and structured living conditions to people departing from drug rehabilitation programs.
When an individual comes out of the rehabilitation center, they might struggle to adapt to their routine life. This is when a sober living facility serves as an in-between recovery option to fortify their rehabilitation lessons.
Though sober homes are quite different from rehabilitation centers as they have their own rules and regulations but do provide an intermediate sober living environment to stimulate sobriety within the individuals when they return home.
WHAT TO EXPECT IN A SOBER LIVING HOME?
Not all sober living homes are equal. Some homes are run privately whereas religious groups own some. Residents of sober living homes should have undergone treatment at a rehabilitation center. These houses ease the transition phase of the residents to help them get back to their daily routine and allow them to carry out their responsibilities.
When staying at sober-living homes, residents are expected to attend 12-step self-help groups created by Alcoholics Anonymous to overcome an addiction to alcohol.
Certain sober living house rules are required to be followed by the residents. Residents can come and go as they please, but there is a time limit for wandering. Moreover, residents must pay rent, do the household chores, and work towards the home’s upkeep.
Combining freedom and structural place, sober living homes are a bridge to recovering from substance abuse and addiction and adjusting to living outside rehab.
HOW DO I CHOOSE THE RIGHT SOBER LIVING HOME?
When locating the right sober living homes, you should choose stable drug-free housing that supports the recovery if the drug and alcohol had been used in the past, the risk for relapse increases. Thus, it is very important to choose the recovery house carefully.
Here are a few pointers you should consider when choosing the right sober living home for you or your near ones:
Consider your immediate needs: Make sure you find a home that has a safe neighborhood and is conducive to your recovery. It is near your work or school, grocery store, healthcare centers, and recovery meetings.
Check if the environment is safe and positive to live in.
Do not opt for homes that claim to be free or pay you for living as the administrators there may use your personal and insurance information to claim insurance.
Visit the sober living home before moving in. Check how well-maintained the house is if they have enough space for all the residents to live. Get the testimonials of former residents for your reference.
Learn the safety or privacy provisions at the houses.
Check if the administrator or the staff is trained and has certifications to perform their duties.
Do not choose a house that has no house rules.
Check if the SLH allows regular inspections- If the owner allows inspectors to visit the premises and investigate the residents’ complaints, then that house would surely meet the high-quality standards and can be considered a safe place to live.
Great sober-living homes strictly follow the no drug and no alcohol rule.
Check if the home carries out regular drug testing.
RULES AND REGULATIONS OF SOBER LIVING HOMES
The first and foremost rule for staying in a sober living home is to stay sober i.e., the resident cannot use drinks or drugs while living at these homes.
Before entering the sober living house, you should have a mindset that you must abide by the rules of a sober living house. Though each house has its own set of rules but here are some general sober-living house rules which residents should follow:
Cannot consume drugs or alcohol.
Follow the set curfew rule.
Attend recovery meetings
Do the household chores responsibly.
Cannot have overnight guests
Pay timely rent
Cannot have pets
Attend school or participate in a job
Partake in random drug and alcohol tests.
Respect the housemates as well as give and receive emotional support.
Attend the 12-step meetings regularly.
These sober living rules and regulations are purposely imposed to help you gracefully build your new life of sobriety. These rules will not only make you sober but will also inculcate responsibility and create a safe environment for residents to live in.
WHO SHOULD CONSIDER JOINING A SOBER LIVING HOME?
The main aim of the sober living home is to keep individuals away from substance abuse and alcohol and make them live an independent lifestyle. So anyone can consider joining the sober living house if committed to accepting the rules and regulations of the sober house.
Usually, residents of the sober houses are the ones who have completed their substance abuse rehabilitation program. Though the rehab program is not mandatory, it allows you to develop coping skills.
A sober living house can be joined by people if:
- They are suffering from medical issues, substance abuse, or addiction.
- If they have been to rehab previously and require more assistance.
- If they don’t have a strong support system back at their home.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Individuals willing to enter sobriety should research well about sober living homes before deciding to get the right support system at the right place. These homes are quite beneficial to rediscover yourself and connect with the outside world again. Members exiting from sober homes are known to be more content, as they have greatly improved their family relations, emotional health, education, and employment opportunities.
I hope this article has proven to be a helpful read!
