Addiction is considered a chronic disorder, with relapse rates around 40% to 60%, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse. These rates are similar to the relapse rates of other chronic health disorders such as hypertension and asthma. In the case of addiction, relapse is a return to drug or alcohol use after a period of abstinence or sobriety.¹ The most effective treatment of these relapses is an ongoing battle for all involved. From addiction centers to sober livings to AA meetings, all treatment should be on the table. Aftercare services beyond a formal treatment program are important to help prevent, or at least minimize, episodes of relapse. For many, a local sober living might be just what they need to stay sober. We can help you choose the best sober living near you.

A sober living home, sometimes referred to as halfway houses or recovery residences, can be a step down from formal substance abuse treatment programs. These homes can offer an in-between option for individuals after completing a treatment program and before returning to their homes and lives. This transition can provide continued structured support while residents learn to apply newly learned tools and skills for becoming self-reliant and remaining drug- or alcohol-free in a community environment.

Entering a sober living home after treatment is a must for all who are seeking permanent sobriety. Unfortunately for many, their desire to get back to their life overrides the need to set up a solid foundation. This short-sighted thinking is what often leads to relapse. Those seeking permanent sobriety should take a long view of sobriety and strive to create as strong a foundation of sobriety as possible. The structured community provided by a well-run sober living home offers the best chance at safely reentering society without a relapse.

Sober Living Homes

Sober living homes are structured, alcohol and drug-free living environments for people who desire a life abstinent from substances and a focus on permanent recovery. Residents are typically expected to comply with house rules, remain abstinent from all substances, attend house meetings, and complete chores.

Some sober living homes allow residents to stay as long as they wish, others have limits on how long a person can live there.

With the negative reputation of some in the industry, many sober living homes are seeking certification from government agencies.³ Conversely, some sober living homes are also not monitored by state licensing agencies because they do not offer formal treatment. However, they may be part of coalitions or associations that ensure that the programs follow certain guidelines on health, safety, quality, and adherence to a model that emphasizes 12-step group involvement. It is vital when choosing a sober living home that you inquire as to certifications and oversight before entering.

The success of sober living in addiction recovery is well proven. In fact, studies show that individuals who stayed in sober living homes had improved abstinence rates at 6 months compared to baseline, and the abstinence rates at 12-month and 18-month follow-up points were similar to those at the 6-month point.⁴

What Are The Rules of a Sober Living

Sober living homes are populated with groups of people who are in recovery and striving to maintain abstinence. They provide a peer-support network of individuals with similar experiences and goals. Quality sober livings require rules and structure that have to be followed to ensure the safety and success of all residents, as well as, to increase personal responsibility.

Each sober living home may be structured differently, although some common rules include:

• Comply with all house rules
• Remain abstinent from all substances
• Attend house meetings, and complete chores
• Some may require participation in 12-step programs
• Many people in sober living homes work to pay their residence fees
• Some homes may help residents find a job or have connections to local employers to ease the transition into employment or volunteering.

For more information on sober livings, call us today. We are more than willing to help you find a quaility sober living near you, even if it is not ours.

Tips for Choosing a Sober Living Home

Anyone who struggles with addiction may benefit from a sober living home. These programs can be a beneficial part of a treatment journey wherein individuals move between levels of care as their personal recovery dictates. It is often the last step before returning to everyday life. Residents often integrate back into the workforce, school, and their families while living at a sober living home.⁵

Quality sober living homes will stipulate that individuals spend at least 5 nights a week in the home but allow for residents to spend a night or two at home as well.⁵ This can help to ease the transition back into living at home full-time and returning to all obligations there. Remember, the whole goal of sober livings is to offer steps of transition back into society as responsible members of society.

Some of the best resources for finding a sober living home are treatment facilities, 12-step groups, or medical and mental health professionals. Some tips on how to find and choose a sober living home include:

• Be sure that all rules are understood and ones you can abide by.
• Listen to or seek out personal referrals from people who have lived, or are living, in the sober living home to decide if it is the right fit for you.
• Find a home that is centrally located to meeting, counseling, or therapy session locations.
• Read reviews online of the facility.
• Learn everything you can about the staff.
• Talk to people in your treatment program or 12-step group for recommendations.
• Make sure you understand teh financial requirements.

Sober livings near me may or may not be accredited or licensed through a state, local, or national agency. The National Alliance for Recovery Residences (NARR) sets national standards that affiliate agencies can use to certify recovery residences and that individuals can use to find a sober living home with a high standard of care.

Sources

[1]. National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2018). Drugs, Brains, and Behavior. The Science of Addiction.

[2]. National Association of Recovery Residences. (2012). A Primer on Recovery Residences: FAQs from the National Association of Recovery Residences.

[3] California Department of Health Care Services (2021). Licensing and Certification

[4]  Polcin, D., Korcha, R., Bond, J., and Galloway, G. (2011). What Did We Learn from Our Study on Sober Living Houses and Where Do We Go from Here? Journal of Psychoactive Drugs, 42(4), 425-433.

[5] Polcin, D. and Henderson, D. (2008). A Clean and Sober Place to Live: Philosophy, Structure, and Purported Therapeutic Factors in Sober Living Houses. Journal of Psychoactive Drugs, 40(2), 153-159.