A sober living home is a residence for people to stay while they are recovering from addition. Usually, someone who is staying in a sober living home has to contribute to the community by doing chores and following all of the house rules. They do enjoy certain freedoms and can come and go to work or school and return as they please. This type of environment can help promote long term addiction recovery as people adjust to a healthy, sober life.
There are many different types of sober living homes. Some are privately owned, and some homes are owned by larger businesses and organizations. Usually, they are located in a peaceful and quiet atmosphere. Sober living homes vary in the level of support and requirements for residents, some with ridged rules and some with more lenient regulations. It is important to note that participation in a sober living home is completely voluntary.
What is the difference between sober living homes and drug and alcohol rehab centers?
Sober living homes tend to provide more freedom than drug and alcohol rehab centers. The purpose of drug and alcohol rehab centers is to help the addict initially recover from substance abuse. Sober living facilities are more similar to an accommodation center than a rehab. Addicts can join a sober living community after they are released from a rehab or detox facility to ease the transition back to the outside world.
What To Expect in a Sober Living Home
Sober living homes do not provide treatments or conduct sessions for addicts, which is what take place in rehab. Instead of addiction recovery treatment programs, residents will learn to manage the routines of everyday life. By adhering to the house rules, residents will have responsibility to cook and clean, participate in activities with other residents, respect the curfew, and may even develop new social skills and friendships. Also, they will be supervised by a house manager and be required to maintain a code of conduct.
The house rules may differ depending on the facilities, but there are many constants. As expected, the most important rule of the house is to maintain sobriety. Residents are not allowed to use any type of drugs or alcohol. The purpose of the rules is to help residents learn how to be responsible for themselves and their behavior. If the rules are violated, there will be consequences. Depending of the severity, residents may have to pay a fine, resolve the conflict, or reflect on their actions in an essay.
Who can live in a sober living home?
For most sober living homes, there are no restrictions on who may apply to live there. Most residents of these facilities have already completed a rehabilitation program for substance abuse. People who are farther along in their journey of recovery are more likely to succeed in a sober living home because they are already equipped with tools to maintain sobriety. However, while it is common to spend time in a rehab center, it is not always a requirement for entry.
In addition, it is beneficial for the resident to complete a detox program to ensure they are medically stable and will not experience many more withdrawal symptoms that will make it harder to stay sober.
How would I benefit from recovering in a sober living home?
According to a study by the Alcohol Research Group Public Health Institute, their research found positive outcomes for the 300 individuals they tracked in sober living homes and concluded that they are an effective option for those in need of alcohol and drug free housing. From their data, they found significant improvements in levels alcohol and drug use, arrests, psychiatric symptoms, and employment.
The rules, expectations, and community in these special living accommodations give recovering addicts the support and structure that they need to ease their transition back to their normal daily lives. A sober living home is a great way to learn how to manage addiction in the real world and increase the chances that a recovering addict will remain sober.
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