After you’ve completed a drug and alcohol rehab program, your next step will likely be to stay at a sober living facility. A sober living facility, or halfway house, is a place where recovering addicts can stay and adjust to daily life in a safe and controlled environment. It’s often far less jarring than going straight from a treatment center to living on your own, but it can still feel like a difficult transition, especially if you don’t know what to expect. Every facility has its own set of rules and guidelines, and no two people will have the same experience, but there are some things that you can always expect when you first move into a sober living facility.
Following the Rules
First of all, all sober living facilities have rules that need to be followed. You’re expected to remain free of drugs and alcohol aside from any prescription medications that you’re taking, and you can almost certainly expect random drug tests to make sure that you remain sober. You will likely be able to have visitors, but almost no facilities allow those visitors to stay overnight. You’ll also be responsible for paying rent to stay at the facility, and you’ll have chores and other responsibilities during your stay. Some facilities have strict schedules that their residents are expected to follow, while others may be more lenient. No matter what, you’ll still have rules to follow, and failure to follow those rules could have consequences up to and including being evicted from the facility.
Living With Others
Another thing you can expect when moving into a sober living facility is that you’ll likely be living with others, both other people in recovery and a staff. Depending on who you are, you might see this as a good or bad thing, but at the very least it can provide you with a support network of people who are in the same situation as you. This can help you stay accountable, especially if your routine includes regular group meetings. Even if you don’t attend regular meetings, being close to someone who is trying to stay sober like you can be helpful. On the other hand, if you’re the type of person who would rather keep your distance from others most of the time, you might want to consider the fact that living in a sober living community means being part of a community.
In addition to living with other residents in recovery, you can expect to see staff members at most facilities. They’re responsible for helping to care for the facility, organizing regular support group meetings, and otherwise helping residents remain accountable during their stay. The size of the staff on-site and the level at which they’re involved in residents’ lives will vary from one facility to the next, and larger facilities will have more staff members, but you can count on spending at least some time with these employees.
Group Therapy and Counseling
Sober living facilities are intended to help those in recovery transition to living on their own, but there is more to that than simply living drug-free for a month. There are always underlying causes to any substance abuse issue, and part of your recovery will be to address those issues. This is often done during therapy sessions, including group therapy with the other residents at the facility. These group therapy sessions help keep residents accountable while addressing issues that may have led to their substance abuse issues in the first place.
In fact, it is these group therapy sessions that can make a stay in a sober living facility so effective. The important thing to remember about addiction treatment and recovery is that no two people will have the same experience. Even those who live together in a sober living facility with others who have gone through treatment could have very different issues. And yet, the shared experiences they do have and the strict rules of sober living communities do help keep them accountable as they work towards a sober lifestyle.
If you or someone you know is struggling with drugs and alcohol, remember that there is always help available. For more information about the addiction recovery programs that we have to offer or to learn more about sober living communities near you, contact us today at 732-392-7311. Our friendly staff will be happy to answer any questions you might have.
