Qualifying for a sober living home after rehab is designed to be simple. For example, most sober living homes in Ohio only require you to express a sincere, positive intention to remain sober. In contrast to halfway houses, you do not need to have completed an inpatient program.
So, while it would be ideal if you had completed the entire program, it is not mandatory. These programs operate with a lenient set of admission rules to reduce any unnecessary barriers to entry. They are specifically designed to make it easy to accommodate anyone who needs assistance maintaining their sobriety. Those sponsoring these programs understand that the main reasons people might choose to live in a sober living home is to avoid the triggers and temptations of their old environment. After completing a rehabilitation program for drug or alcohol abuse, returning to everyday life can be exceedingly difficult, even overwhelming.
The change can be even more difficult for those without stable, substance-free housing. Once you’ve overcome an addiction after rehab, it’s easy to feel you’re starting over. You might not have a job or a place to live, and it’s difficult to make new friends since you are now committed to remaining sober. Like most people in your situation, you might even feel you are alone in a cold, uncaring world where no one is willing to help.
Your Odds of Staying Sober After Rehab
There is a steep learning curve to sober living, and it may even seem like the odds are stacked against you. Studies have shown that fewer than one out of three people who have not completed a full year have the willpower to stay sober. However, the chances of staying sober after an entire year of sobriety significantly increase.
Researchers found that over half of those who have abstained from drugs and alcohol for an entire year develop the self-discipline necessary to remain sober. The likelihood of relapse is only 15% over the course of the next decade. Considering these findings, sober living homes aspire to help residents to achieve sobriety for an entire year.
A year of sobriety increases your chances of long-term sobriety. People who are sober for less than a year often relapse because they lack the support necessary to remain sober. Consequently, as part of the sober living process, residents are usually supported by a peer group, a holistic approach to recovery, a 12-step program, an opportunity to get cognitive behavioral therapy, and a mindfulness practice. In essence, sober living homes in Ohio aim to provide residents with a comprehensive treatment program.
House Rules
The rules of sober living homes in Ohio are designed to maintain a safe, clean, and welcoming living environment. The rules are usually enforced by an “emotional contract” or “code of honor.”
Residents must always follow all the rules because they are designed to help them stay sober.
There are various rules at sober living homes, but here are some examples of some common ones:
- No drug or alcohol use: Residents may not consume alcohol or use drugs, nor store them in the house. Also, visitors may not bring drugs or open alcohol containers into the house.
- Curfew: Some programs have curfews of 10 pm every night, while others have curfews of 12 am every night.
- Visitation by family or friends: Visitors must be approved by the administration and security staff.
- Quiet hours: Quiet hours are after 10:00 p.m. each evening.
- Behavior: Residents must avoid all inappropriate, violent, or sexual contact with each other.
- Treatment: Residents must attend all treatment sessions and 12-step meetings and not engage in risky behavior.
The Mission and Purpose of Sober Living Homes in Ohio
A change in environment is necessary to avoid relapse after rehab. As the transition from living in an addiction treatment center to living at home can be challenging, many people choose to live in sober living homes to continue to learn and grow in an environment that provides education and behavior management systems to prevent relapse.
Recovery support services offered by sober living homes include individual counseling, group therapy, family therapy, and access to mental health care professionals. But those aren’t the only services available. Additionally, support services may also include transportation to appointments and jobs, employment assistance training, drug and alcohol testing, educational planning, and structured recovery programs.
Ohio is a wonderful place to live if you are interested in sober living. The state has many sober-living centers that offer daily activities, medication management, and support group meetings. With these facilities, you can get all the support you need to get back on your feet. Contact us today for assistance at 833-285-1315.
