Addiction treatment builds the solid foundation needed to live without drugs and alcohol. But what about after treatment? Even the most dedicated person risks relapse after rehab, especially during the delicate first days, weeks, and months after graduating the treatment program. For many people, sober living provides the supportive environment needed to make the difficult transition back into the real world.
During treatment a person is taught the life skills they need to cope with cravings and change the behaviors that make them reach for drugs or alcohol. Sober living allows a person to take these skills and practice them in a real-life environment that is less structured than treatment but still holds the person accountable through drug testing, 12-step meeting attendance, and other requirements that vary from home to home. Sober living allows a person to build up their confidence and create stability during the delicate first months of sobriety.
What is a Sober Living Home?
Sober living homes are affordable alcohol- and drug-free environments that provide a safe place to practice the living skills learned in treatment. A sober living home can be a single-family residence, duplex or multiunit complex that houses anywhere from 6 to 30 residents. Most sober living homes are gender-specific and are located in a quiet community that’s easily accessible to jobs, meetings or school. Sober living is often recommended for people who have just completed residential treatment and are at risk for relapsing if they return home.
What Can I Expect at a Sober Living Home?
Each sober living home will have its own set of rules and requirements, but most will require you to follow three simple rules: stay clean and sober, follow the house rules, and pay your rent on time.
Staying sober is usually the number-one rule of any sober living facility, and most sober living homes have a zero tolerance policy for drugs and alcohol. During your stay you can expect random or surprise drug and alcohol testing to ensure you’re complying with the house rules. Other zero tolerance rules can include theft, sex within the house, harassment, fighting or threats of violence, unexcused absences or violation of curfews. Violating these rules can result in punishments that vary from financial fines to immediate ejection from the home.
House rules vary from place to place, but most have a strict set of house rules that include daily chores, curfew, and mandatory attendance of 12-step meetings. As a resident of a sober living home, you’ll be required to pay your own rent and purchase your own food. You’ll also be required to be employed, actively seek employment, or be enrolled in school. Depending on the size of the sober living home, residents can expect to have at least one roommate.
How Do I Find a Good Sober Living Home?
The best way to find a good sober living home is through a rehabilitation program. After graduating your program, your counselors can seamlessly guide you from treatment to a sober living house. Not all sober living residents have to come directly from rehab, though. Whether you’ve been encouraged by a family member, your 12-step sponsor, or simply the desire to live a healthy life, a sober living home can help you make the commitment to sobriety. While living there, you’ll be able to live your first months of recovery in a safe environment surrounded by people on the same healing path as you.
Casa Palmera believes that after addiction treatment, a beautiful and safe environment is ideal for anyone transitioning from a treatment program into the real world. If you’d like to find a good sober living home, call Casa Palmera today and ask how they can help you start your journey to back to health.
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