As an increasing number of individuals seek and receive substance abuse treatment, the population of people who need additional support to maintain their newly found sobriety also rises. Getting sober is
the first challenge. Many require an extended period of ongoing support to remain in recovery. There are several good options for those seeking assistance after an inpatient or intensive outpatient
treatment program. One of the more common post-treatment options is a sober living program.
Talk to anyone in recovery from addiction, and you will find that most consider the first year of sobriety to be a challenging one. Most inpatient and residential programs only last 30, 60 or 90 days, leaving
people to face the hurdles in early recovery outside the security of an inpatient setting. Many recovering addicts benefit from extended support as they transition from inpatient to independence.
Sober living houses address the needs of those new to sobriety.
The term “sober living” is common in the treatment industry, and the general public is now much more aware of this option than ever before. For some, sober living offers enough accountability to help
remain on the sober track. However, life in a sober house is a steep drop off from the high control of a residential or inpatient care setting. This dramatic shift from control to more independence can create
problems for many people including:
Individuals in a sober living program have far more independence and face large portions of their day unsupervised, with access to money and free
reign on the use of cell phones and internet. Unsupervised free time, money, phones, and internet access can all be big time triggers for many individuals and all lead to the temptation of
old ways.
It’s important to note that those individuals who relapse in sober living are just not ready for the unsupervised free time immediately after leaving the 24hr
structure of residential and inpatient programs.
Many individuals struggle to build a solid recovery support system when they reach sober living. Issues still need to be addressed
including anxiety, lack of motivation and an unfamiliarity of what to do in their new sober life.
Another big challenge for those in a sober living program is how difficult it can be for some to obtain employment.
A sober living house is an independent living situation with some accountability and is an excellent option for those who are far enough into their recovery to have established adequate self-control and have begun to establish their personal support system.
who checks in with clients living in the house daily.
but it is largely up to the
individual to stay compliant with these guidelines on their own.
The biggest benefit of sober living is the common ground that your new roommates and housemates will share with you. Everyone in the house is going through the same
challenges often at different times. This is a very beneficial form of support for the client.
Many sober living programs also offer additional support services, but it’s often the case that these services need to be pursued by the client moving into the house and are not mandated or required.
Is a Sober Living House the right choice for me, my loved one or patient?
All sober living programs have strengths and weaknesses. Here are some guidelines that can help you select the right sober living house.
The most important thing you can do is to research sober living programs in advance of entering a program.
Be sure you understand what the sober living program provides beyond what their website says.
Remember that no matter how much support you are seeking, it is still an independent living situation. Much of the day, the client is left to their own motivations and desires.
If you like something on the website, make sure that you have a clear understanding of how and when the feature will be available to you.
The amount of support and inclusion received by others is directly dependent upon your desire to seek it out.