Your recovery process will not end just because you have left the detox center. As you make your way from the center into your regular life you’re going to run into many obstacles that can put your sobriety completely at risk. To make the transition easier, sober living homes are recommended. But what exactly is a sober living home and what is the best way to make the transition into one?
Sober Living Homes
A sober living home is exclusively for those who are coming directly from a treatment program. Residents will live in an alcohol and drug-free space with other former addicts. These homes are designed to help men and women increase their independence and responsibility before making the final move back home. While they do not offer any type of formal treatment services they will encourage their residents to take part in groups like Narcotics or Alcoholics Anonymous while they are there. A sober living home offers a structured environment with more flexibility than a treatment center. Drugs and alcohol are not permitted on the premises, and residents of the home are often monitored with random drug tests. They are also expected to take part in the daily chores and will be required to pay rent. Many help residents find jobs while they are living there. Rent is typically based on a sliding scale of what you currently make.
Sober Living Homes are Helpful
Where you go after getting out of a treatment center can really make or break you. If you head right back into a destructive home environment with the same old triggers, it will be that much easier to fall right back into all of your old habits. A sober living home will help bridge the gap between treatment and normal life. Living with others in the same situation helps former addicts slowly come to terms with their role in life.
Preparing for a Sober Living Home
There are a number of factors to consider before you pick the sober living home you wish to stay in.
Find the Best House
Gather as much information as you can before you sign into a home. Not every home will be like the others, and some often have poor reviews concerning their effectiveness. Be sure to talk to others living there, ask about success rates, and check out pictures.
Enjoy the Stability and Structure
A sober living home will have rules and curfews. You are probably looking forward to getting back on your own schedule after being in recovery, but please remember that these rules are in place to help you succeed when you are in your own home. Learning how to live under the rules will also help you set your own boundaries once you are gone.
Recovery is an Ongoing Process
You may think that you are cured after you successfully graduate from a treatment center. But recovery is an ongoing process that is never really over. A sober living house will better prepare you with the information you need to get out of triggering situations. Don’t be afraid to join 12-step or aftercare programs that will help you in your recovery. Source: “What Did We Learn from Our Study on Sober Living Houses and Where Do We Go from Here?”