What Is a Sober Living House? Your Complete Guide

So when getting back on our feet and in recovery, cooking and cleaning for ourselves is part of a healthy recovery plan. Let’s say you or a loved one has almost completed an alcohol or other drug addiction treatment program. Or maybe you’re going to start an outpatient program, but living at home isn’t a sober, supportive environment for you. Choosing the right one depends on each person’s stage of recovery and specific needs. Sober living houses started in the 1830s when temperance movements promoted “dry hotels” or sober places to live.

Who Lives in Sober Living Homes?

• Suppose you’ve recently relapsed and found that the stress of being in environments around alcohol and drugs or a lack of structure is particularly triggering.
• You could consider reaching out to staff at a rehabilitation center you have previously attended for a referral.
• You’re expected to follow guidelines, which often include curfews, chores, and mandatory participation in recovery meetings.
• When you embark on the path to sobriety, finding a supportive environment is crucial.
• Residents may choose to engage in community support groups, counseling, and anything else to help them stay sober.

Sober homes such as those in the Oxford House model are Level I environments. These sober living environments are peer-run and self-supporting, with few or no staff members. They provide you with a social network and the time, space, and structure to learn or relearn behaviors and skills that assist you in recovery. Unlike the unpredictable environments you might find outside, these homes establish a routine and rules that foster a safe space for recovery. You’re expected to follow guidelines, which often include curfews, chores, and mandatory participation in recovery meetings. This structure helps you build discipline and accountability, key components for a sober life.

What to Look for When Choosing a Sober Living Home

Acceptance to a sober living home means residents agree to the rules, schedules, and guidelines that support recovery. However, each level of sober living home has different rules and restrictions. A variety of other studies have also found that sober living homes appear to be an effective component of the recovery process. Studies indicate that living in sober homes after inpatient treatment increases recovery rates, financial strength and overall stability.

How Can I Pay for a Sober Living Home?

• Residents usually sign a contract or written agreement outlining all of the rules and regulations of living at the sober living home.
• Ensuring that the administration of an SLH or halfway house is vigilant about complying with any kind of necessary inspections is an important part of establishing its validity as a reputable residence.
• Recovery Residences (RRs) are organized into four categories, or “levels,” by the NARR.
• The National Alliance for Recovery Residences is one of the largest associations of sober living homes in the United States.
• Sober living homes make the difference for many people between ongoing addiction and freedom from substance abuse.

In addition to reducing the risk of relapse, recovery residences have other benefits. One study of 330 residents at 49 sober living homes in California found that residents had increased odds of total abstinence and employment. The same research also identified operational characteristics that improved the success rate of sober houses. This included the facility’s location and whether residents must be sober for at least 30 days before admittance.

Sober living homes vs halfway houses

Sober living is just like it sounds, a place to stay where you’ll have a supportive community and can start your new life free from alcohol or other drugs. Residents in sober-living homes commit to abstaining from substance use while participating in outpatient programming or after completing inpatient drug rehab. If you are ready to take back control of your life and enter addiction treatment, contact a treatment provider today to explore your rehab options. You can also explore our rehab directory to find treatment options, including sober living homes, near you. To have the best chance for effectively recovering from addiction or substance abuse and remaining sober long-term, individuals should look for drug-free, stable housing that will support their recovery.

What Are the Differences between Halfway Houses and Other Sober-Living Houses?

• As the others in the house are in the same situation, they can be authentic without having to explain their addiction or recovery needs.
• Numerous studies have shown that most people who live in sober homes after attending treatment have low rates of relapse and are able to live productive lives.

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. Understanding its importance could be the key to not just achieving sobriety but maintaining it in the long run. Most sober living homes require residents to pay their own rent and do chores. With some exceptions, sober living homes usually aren’t eligible for insurance coverage because they’re not considered a treatment facility by the government. This is because sober living homes don’t offer treatment as rehab facilities do. While this seems like a disadvantage, paying rent can help a resident continue responsible financial habits.

What to Know About the Sober Living House

To the best of our knowledge, all content is accurate as of the date posted, though offers contained herein may no longer be available. The opinions expressed are the author’s alone and have not been provided, approved or otherwise sober house endorsed by our advertisers.

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• These rules are similar to what parents might expect of their children or that roommates might agree upon to help maintain a pleasant living environment.
• Some facilities require a minimum number of days of sobriety from substance abuse, but many will work with you to determine if you’re a good fit.
• This accountability helps individuals to stay on track with their sobriety and to avoid relapse.

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. If you or a loved one is due to finish treatment for drug or alcohol addiction and are worried about the temptations of daily life, staying in a sober living house may be the right choice for you.