After completing a drug and alcohol treatment program and starting your recovery journey, it is not uncommon for many people to feel like they are not ready to return to their “normal” lives before they started rehab. They are worried they might relapse and fall quickly back into addictive tendencies and habits.
What Is Sober Living?
Sober living is a concept where a person recovering from substance abuse and addiction must live a sober life for the rest of their lives. Recovery is a life-long and on-going process that does not end once one leaves rehab treatment. There is a constant battle to remain sober.
What Is a Sober Living House?
A sober living house is a housing option where everyone living in the home is sober. There are no drugs or alcohol allowed in the home. Sober living homes provide a safe and secure environment to transition back to a “normal” routine after completing a treatment program.
Some people also decide to move into sober living homes when they are completing an outpatient treatment program after going through detox. This way, they are separated from those things that led to the addiction and can concentrate on their recovery without outside distractions.
What Is Life Like at a Sober Living House?
Life at a sober living house is similar to living in your home. Depending on the type of home, it may be divided into individual efficiency or one-bedroom apartments. It might be a larger single-family home with multiple bedrooms. Each resident has their own bedroom but shares common areas like the kitchen and living room.
Residents are required to continue any outpatient treatment and go to regular meetings. Residents also will need to “pitch-in” and help do chores around the home to keep it neat, tidy, and clean. For sober living apartments, residents are responsible for keeping their apartments clean and to share in chores to keep the building and common areas looking good.
Residents will also have specific rules they must follow to remain in the home. For example, there could be a mandatory curfew for residents unless they are working, residents cannot have friends stay the night, and so on.
Regardless of the type of sober living home, typically there will be onsite managers 24/7. They are there to ensure you are abiding by the rules and also to support your recovery and help with any other issues you may be experiencing.
Why Should People Move Into a Sober Living House After Rehab?
In addition to having access to house managers, other reasons people should consider moving into a sober living house after rehab include:
1. Makes transitioning back to “normal” life easier. You have somewhere you can still feel safe as you continue your recovery while getting back to work and restoring damaged relationships.
2. You can develop meaningful relationships with other sober people. Everyone at the home is going through the same things as you are, trying to remain sober and avoid a relapse. As such, you will find support among the residents and many often develop life-long friendships.
3. You get to practice your new life skills. You can continue to follow the nutrition plan and exercise routines you learned in rehab. You will also be required to keep a clean home and maintain personal hygiene.
4. Freedom and independence to do what you want. You are free to leave the home for work, to go to the gym, to shop, etc. You have the independence to make decisions regarding meals, friends, social activities, and so on.
5. Constant support for your recovery. Sober living homes often have scheduled group support meetings, activities, and other such things that support your ongoing recovery.
As you can see, moving into a sober living house after rehab can make the transition back to your “normal” life easier while helping you remain sober and avoid a relapse.
For further information about sober living in Southern California and sober housing options, please feel free to contact Adelante Recovery Center at (949) 427-9099 today!