Addiction is a lifelong disease. It can be difficult to transition from addiction to sober living. When looking for ways to help your loved one, you might wonder what a sober living home is.
Sober living homes are often confused with halfway homes. While they have many things in common, there are several advantages to choosing a sober living home over a halfway house. These homes are run by professionals who are experts in addiction and rehabilitation. Each resident will have access to counseling when they need it.
The Sober Living Community
Counselors understand that there are often those struggling with addiction are also often struggling with other mental health disorders and they will make sure that each resident receives the mental health treatment they need. Formal treatment methods, such as detox, are not provided on-site. However, residents will have access to self-support and group meetings. When your loved one is struggling with addiction, they will need a place to go that will not be a bad influence and cause a relapse. A sober living home tries to assist each resident on their path to sobriety by surrounding them with other individuals who can be a positive influence or who are going through the same struggles. Because each resident is monitored, you will not have to worry about an individual resident facilitating substance abuse.
Another challenge your loved one might struggle with is that they are going from a structured environment to a new life where they will have freedom again but will need help when coping with difficulties in life and reintegrating into society. A sober living home provides them with an easy opportunity to do this.
The Next Step to Recovery
There are many things that your loved one has learned through rehab and a sober living home is an opportunity for them to practice these things. As long as he or she has a history of substance abuse, the sober living facility will be accommodating. Sober living homes are usually more expensive than other options, but they offer a better quality of care. A sober living home might also be covered by your insurance. Unlike halfway houses, which are meant to be a temporary solution, sober living homes allow you to stay as long as you want.
The advantage of a sober living home is that it is located in neighborhoods that are:
- Safe
- Quiet
- Family-Friendly
This will help your loved one limit their access to drugs and alcohol. It will also provide them with a more stable environment where they can adapt to a different lifestyle.
Requirements of a Sober Living Community
Residents of a sober living home are required to abstain from drugs and alcohol and to regularly participate in drug tests. These programs mandate 12-step programs that each resident must participate in regularly. The group therapy sessions are usually available in the evening after having a healthy meal. Once the sessions are over, residents are free to spend time however they want by:
- Watching television and movies
- Calling friends and family members
- Reading books
- Engaging in other forms of clean fun
Another important part of a 12-step program is teaching residents responsibilities. For example, they will be expected to:
- Perform chores
- Follow a curfew
- Be self-sufficient
- Pay rent in some cases
- Cover their own expenses
Each time a resident will be away from home, they must sign in and out so that they can be accounted for. The reason why these rules are put in place is to help residents learn life skills so that they can more easily integrate into society.
The ultimate goal of a sober living home is to leave and return to the real world. If you believe that your loved one would benefit, contact us at 732-392-7311.
