If you have a substance abuse problem and have sought treatment at one of the more than 14,000 rehab facilities in the U.S., a round of applause is most certainly in order. And this is because you’ve taken a critical first step toward regaining control over your life, which, by the way, is something that only a handful of people whose lives have been turned upside down by addiction have managed to do. By the way, this is not baseless, meaningless hyperbole. According to U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, an estimated 21 million Americans are struggling with at least one addiction, and of those, only 10% are receiving addiction recovery treatment.
So if you have made your way into the four walls of a rehab facility, you’re off to a phenomenal start. Of course, if you have survived detox and the associated withdrawal symptoms, you’re even closer to living a clean and sober life. The same applies if you have undergone addiction counseling with a licensed therapist to help you understand the cause of your addiction and how to go about avoiding a relapse. The only thing left to consider is whether or not you need more time after satisfying the requirements of your addiction recovery program before returning to “normal” life. If you need more time, you might want to consider transitioning to a sober living house.
What Is a Sober Living House?
Also known as a sober living home, a sober living house is a group residence for individuals recovering from addiction. And they essentially pick up where addiction recovery programs in a licensed rehab facility leave off. The overarching goal of any sober living house is to provide residents with a supportive, structured environment that fosters confidence and mentally readies them to return to the real world. But this is only one benefit of going to a sober living home after completing rehab. Before delving into the many other benefits of going into one of these homes, let’s take a moment to discuss living in one.
Firstly, the average sober living house has anywhere from 4 to 12 residents, and the average length of stay is around six months or so. Second, some sober living homes have age and gender requirements. For example, some homes are designed specifically for teens and young adults, and others cater to a slightly older demographic. Some cater exclusively to women and veterans. These are all things that individuals should want to consider when deciding whether or not a particular sober living home is right for them.
Drug and Alcohol Testing
To be eligible to remain in a sober living home, individuals must undergo periodic drug and alcohol tests. Passing these tests proves an individual is serious about changing their life for the better. Similarly, failing these tests shows an individual is not taking their addiction recovery seriously and needs to be evicted, which frees up space for someone who is more intentional about getting their life back in order. Along with drug and alcohol tests, most homes also have curfews. Those who leave these homes and fail to return before their designated curfew time are subject to eviction.
Benefits of a Sober Living Home
In addition to providing individuals with a supportive, structured environment to call home, sober living homes also offer the following benefits:
A lower chance of relapsing – One of the most notable benefits of transitioning to a sober living home after rehab is the reduced risk of falling victim to relapse. Individuals in these homes must perform daily chores and fulfill several responsibilities to earn their keep. These chores and responsibilities help distract individuals from cravings, temptation, and other triggers that often lead to relapse.
Relearning life skills – Another enormous benefit of transitioning to a sober living home after rehab is the opportunity to relearn valuable life skills that often fall by the wayside when someone develops a substance abuse problem. The structured environment of a sober living home lends to teaching and reminding individuals of the importance of good hygiene, home maintenance, social etiquette, and much more. These things can go a long way toward helping individuals quickly acclimate to the real world when they leave their sober living home.
Meaningful and sober relationships – It is possible to have real friendships and make meaningful connections without drugs or alcohol being in the mix. Many people who fall victim to addiction forget this all-important maxim. Another one of the many benefits of going to a sober living home is doing so reminds individuals that they don’t have to be under the influence to make friends or bond with another human being.
All told, many good things can come from spending time in a sober living house after completing rehab, including a better chance of achieving long-term sobriety. For more information on sober living homes or to get help finding one in your area, consider speaking with one of our associates today at 732-392-7311.
