Immersing Yourself in Recovery: What to Expect at a Sober Living House

It is essential to note that sober living homes may have specific admission criteria, such as a commitment to sobriety, completion of a treatment program, or adherence to house rules. Outpatient programs in low income urban areas might find the Options Recovery Services model of SLHs helpful. Relative to the other housing programs, this model was inexpensive and the houses were conveniently located near the outpatient facility. Typically, residents entered these SLHs after establishing some period of sobriety while they resided in a nearby shelter and attended the outpatient program. A significant strength of the Options houses was that residents were able to maintain low alcohol and drug severity at 12-month follow up. CSLT is located in Sacramento County California and consists of 16 houses with a 136 bed capacity.

Types of Sober Living Houses

Sober living homes can be beneficial for those who are transitioning from inpatient treatment, but they may be too far ahead in the process for many who are looking to start their recovery journey. At this level, a house manager may reside in the house and will typically be a peer in long-term recovery. An American Journal of Public Health study compared individuals who lived in a sober living home to those who only received outpatient treatment or attended self-help groups. Sober living homes are maintained through fees, and residents can usually stay as long as they want.

Halfway Houses

The term is primarily applied to those in recovery from drug addiction or alcoholism. The rules and guidelines of the sober living house are intended to encourage sober behavior and prevent relapse, and residents are typically required to maintain their sobriety while living in the house. Sober living can be an important transitional step in the recovery process for those who have completed an inpatient treatment program and are transitioning back into everyday living.

The Goals of Sober Living Houses

In this kind of house, you simply pay a monthly fee for rent, maintain attendance in recovery groups, stay sober, and participate in household duties. NCBI research consistently shows higher sobriety rates among those who choose sober what is a sober house living homes, especially for longer stays. However, the length of your stay can depend on how well you’re adjusting to life after treatment. Some recovery homes have set curfews and a sign-in/sign-out as part of their house rules.

• The time an individual spends in a sober living environment can vary, ranging from a few months to over a year, depending on their unique recovery journey.
• The houses are different from freestanding SLHs, such as those at CSTL, because all residents must be involved in the outpatient program.
• Sober living houses can assist in educating drug users and reducing the chance of relapse.
• These characteristics make sober living homes a unique and effective modality for individuals seeking to sustain their recovery in a supportive, communal living arrangement.
• Each sober living home will have its own policy regarding visitors and guests.

What Is Sober Living and How Does It Support Recovery?

• Members of the sober living community support and motivate each other to avoid relapsing into past behaviors.
• Smith recommends asking and looking for what sets one SLH apart from the others to make sure its focus and expertise align with your objectives and personality.
• His commitment to sharing stories of hope and resilience has established him as a credible and respected figure in the addiction treatment community.

Some houses have a “residents’ council,” which functions as a type of government for the house. Choosing to enter sober living and finding the right sober house can be a difficult task. However, it can be one of the most fruitful decisions one makes in their recovery journey. When looking for a sober house, you should look for a structure that meets your needs, includes multiple support options, and offers an environment that you would be comfortable living in.

Individuals Completing Addiction Treatment

Who Lives in Sober Living Homes?

Level IV: Service Provider

• Sober living houses are usually peer-run facilities encouraging continued substance use disorder recovery.
• We hypothesize that barriers to expansion of SLHs might vary by stakeholder groups.
• You’ll still attend group meetings and have a support system, but you can come and go out of the home whenever you’d like.
• Lastly, halfway houses are often owned or sponsored by the state, while most sober-living houses are owned privately or by treatment facilities that want to provide continuing support for their patients.
• The rules and guidelines of the sober living house are intended to encourage sober behavior and prevent relapse, and residents are typically required to maintain their sobriety while living in the house.
• Sober living plays a pivotal role in this process, offering a structured yet flexible environment where you can forge a path toward a substance-free life.