Going to a sober living house has been proven to support sobriety efforts, with results ranging from a decreased amount of relapses to long-term sobriety. They first came into existence when a group of active participants in the Alcoholics Anonymous group created a “12-step” residence. This was a home, typically placed in low-income housing, that enforced policies around sobriety and required attendance to AA meetings. Meetings were held both in the home and in neighboring organizations in the community. For those who decide to spend some time in a substance abuse halfway house, there will be plenty of benefits.

A sober living house is a peer-managed home designed to help people maintain sobriety. This is achieved through required sobriety, recovery group attendance, and household participation. Those who live in these houses rent rooms indefinitely and live a life in accordance with their responsibilities, like work and school.

What are the Rules and Regulations of Sober Living Homes?

Sober houses are generally gender-specific, although there are a small number of co-ed houses. This is not generally recommended for recovery due to the obvious distractions. Considering these six factors and working to improve them can help you establish excellent rapport with residents and community members. Addiction is very complex condition, and many people take different paths in recovery.4 https://www.excel-medical.com/5-tips-to-consider-when-choosing-a-sober-living-house/ Therefore, it may help to consult with a specialist familiar with your unique situation when making these types of decisions. You can look up local yoga classes, fitness centers, or even an acupuncturist to help lower your stress and thrive in recovery. Plus, you should get into the habit of making positive lifestyle choices such as eating right, exercising, and getting plenty of sleep.

Sober living is an important part of the continuum of care when someone is overcoming substance use struggles. This also applies when someone is learning to re-integrate into life, and looking to build a strong community. The New Life approach to how sober living houses work is dramatically different from most for a number of reasons. These can include an emphasis on age-specific housing and an active alumni community. After completing any sort of addiction treatment program, individuals may find themselves unsure of their ability to face the daily challenges of maintaining sobriety. They have learned the tools and methods they can use to stay sober, but they are no longer in the same supportive, secure environment where sobriety is guaranteed.

What is Sober Living

For many, returning home after treatment jeopardizes that ability to truly live sober. If a person’s home life is filled with stresses or pressures (such as old haunts or taxing relationships) it can significantly increase their risk of relapse. Mornings in sober living homes generally start with daily chores like making your bed, cleaning the room, or helping to make breakfast. There may be morning activities such as a 12 Step or group counseling sessions. If not, you’ll search for employment, help with more house chores, or perform community service.

• Studies show that living in a dysfunctional home environment can derail efforts towards recovery.
• It’s easy to confuse sober living houses with rehab centers or halfway houses, but there are some stark differences among them.
• Having completed a stay in a rehabilitation center is an achievement.
• This often includes finding a stable living environment that is free of drugs or alcohol.
• Most likely, insurance will not cover this type of housing, because it is not considered a mental health treatment center.

At admission, nearly all residents are eligible for some type of government assistance (e.g., general assistance or social security disability) and use those funds to pay SLH fees. To help limit social isolation and reduce costs residents share bedrooms. Like other SLH models of recovery, residence are free to stay as long as they wish provide they comply with house rules (e.g., curfews, attendance at 12-step meetings) and fulfill their financial obligations. Also like other SLH models, each house has a house manager who is responsible for ensuring house rules and requirements are followed.

Risks and Downsides of Sober Living Homes

If you have recently completed addiction treatment and are concerned that your home environment may not be conducive to recovery, a sober home may be an excellent alternative for you. Turning Point of Tampa can recommend options for individuals in the Tampa Bay area. Returning to daily life after completing intensive addiction treatment can be a challenging prospect and may be difficult to accomplish successfully without support. It is well known that going back to an environment filled with the same addictive triggers is a recipe for failure. In summary, sober living support addiction recovery in transition to independence. An out-of-state sober living program can help residents refresh their priorities to focus on sobriety.