Sober living arrangements are often utilized when people struggling with addiction are transitioning from treatment to independent living. Some people call these “sober homes,” while others may refer to them as halfway houses. Regardless of the terminology, sober living typically involves one or more sober individuals in temporary housing for the sake of helping someone who has recently emerged from an alcohol or drug rehabilitation program.
Who can benefit from sober living? Whenever someone is amid an active addiction, they are at risk for relapse. It’s not uncommon for people to relapse even while they are still in treatment. For example, one of the primary reasons family members may want to house someone under the care of a sober living facility is because they have concerns about their relative giving into an alcohol or drug relapse.
Typically, these are some of the expectations when you enter a sober living residence:
- Follow housing rules around staying clean, sober and abstaining from other potentially harmful behaviors (gambling, excessive Internet use, staying up all night playing video games or watching TV), etc.
- Participate in aftercare treatment programs designed for people who are newly sober.
- Maintain employment or seek employment if appropriate depending on resources available at the facility.
- Remain free of legal trouble
What All Is Involved with Going to A Sober Living
There are different types of sober living types that include traditional sober living and highMen’s Sober Living accountability sober living. Traditional sober living programs are the more traditional versions of sober living. These consist of one sober individual or household, who shares the house with another person, who is not in recovery.
High accountability sober living is a strong model of care. It consists of two or more individuals who share a home and live together. The common ground for high-accountability sober living is that treatment must be completed before entry to this type of program.
However, there are many options available to the Minnesota State Association for Sober Living programs.
What Is the Difference Between Sober Living and A Halfway House?
The differences between sober living and halfway houses are many. Both provide housing for people in recovery, but some differences help determine which is best for your needs. Strengths of sober living include the fact that the clients can be more independent, yet there is enough support available to them if they need it. The three main things that you should consider when deciding between these two housing options are your level of independence, finances, and motivation.
Semi-independent: While you will be living with other people in a sober home, you will receive support and guidance from staff who can help you remain sober. There is less of a community feeling than in a halfway house, but more of an independent living setting. Semi-supportive: In most cases, there is no training involved with semi-supportive housing. This means that residents are not required to participate in groups or service programs as they would be at a treatment center or residential treatment program.
What are the Expected Results from Living In A Sober Living Home?
The main goal of sober living is to promote recovery. This means getting you to a point where you can live independently in the real world without relying on drugs or alcohol. It’s important to state that sober living is not intended to be a long-term permanent solution. The time frame for this type of housing is usually 6 months – 2 years. It is expected that clients will complete their treatment goals during this period.
There are many goals set for participants in this type of housing. Those goals are to get you ready to live on your own, keep you safe from drugs or alcohol, help you find a job that works best for you, get you back into school or get back into your career, get involved in the community, and all of the other things that may have been missing from your life before entering treatment.
Conclusion
Sober living is a vital part of the rehab process. It provides you with both emotional and physical support. This housing option can help you get your life back on track, but it will never work if you don’t want it to. The bottom line is that this type of housing is more about you than anything else, but having a great support system can make all of the difference in the world. Ready to get started, call us today at 833-285-1315.
