Recovering from addiction is a complex process that needs continuous care. Addiction recovery does not end at rehab. After rehabilitation, you still need time and space to heal. You will need support and maintenance to readjust and get used to living a sober life. That is why sober living homes are essential to everyone who is recovering from addiction.
Sober living homes provide the needed care, and support, and a safe space to heal as you undergo the recovery process. There are various types of sober living homes, and they differ in services offered, structure, resources, and level of supervision. Below are some different types of sober living homes.
Sober Living Apartments
Sober living apartments offer privacy to clients. Unlike other sober living homes, which are structured and have no freedom, the sober living apartment offers less freedom. However, even with less freedom, sober living apartments still have rules. When you choose to live in a sober living apartment, you will have your privacy, including your living room, kitchen, and washroom.
However, some sober living apartments require you to share units like kitchen and bathroom with other residents. If you want a smooth recovery process with fewer rules and privacy, this can be the best option.
Nevertheless, even with privacy, there is someone under your care. The care providers ensure that you provide period drug test results, and they will keep checking your space to ensure there are no drugs or any substances sneaked in. Also, a sober living apartment deals with people of different ages. Some are university students; some are graduates, while others are people who are already working. The care provider has to understand each client and offer the needed care and support. The care provider ensures that you:
• Take prescribed medication
• Go to school if you are a student
• Apply for jobs if required to
• Attend counseling
• Participate in support group meetings
12 Step Sober Living
A twelve-step sober living home is a type of sober living whereby people who recover from addiction live together. This type of sober living allows the patients to become leaders and to control their recovery process. There are no counselors or professionals in 12-step sober living. Therefore, the patients take control, and each individual must ensure they go through the treatment process. The patients choose leaders among themselves, and they make their own rules.
Some of the rules always include reporting to the leaders with evidence after attending a support group meeting. Support group meetings are vital in the recovery process. The support group will only make a difference in your recovery process if you attend the meetings without defaulting any. Reporting after attending support group meetings shows that the patient is responsible and they are working towards their recovery.
Failure to follow the scheduled meetings may lead to suspension from the 12-step sober living. Living in a twelve-step straight living home allows you to make new friends, share ideas, and rebuild your life as you recover from addiction. Some twelve-step sober living homes will enable you to stay as long as you want. Whereas others have a time limit, and your stay there depends on the programs that you attend.
Halfway Houses
When in rehabilitation, you are under maximum supervision. The transition from full supervision to having freedom can be complex. Halfway houses offer a safe place when you are recovering from addiction, making it easy for you to transit from control to freedom without falling back to your behaviors. Halfway houses are a unique type of sober living, and the features include:
• Fewer rules
• Focuses more on independent living
• Offers more freedom
Halfway homes always act as a counseling center. This makes it a good place for people who were under addiction treatment when behind bars. When behind bars, an addict might think they have recovered from drug abuse but get back to it once they get the freedom. That is why it would be best if they go through sober living for them to be able to live a healthy life.
Conclusion
Recovering from addiction is not an easy process. Other than going through therapies, and detox, you still need time to adapt. Sober living homes offer the space you need. When you come from rehabilitation and go home, you may easily fall into temptation from peers and relapse. If you are ready to go through the recovery process, do not hesitate to contact us today at 732-392-7311.
