When it comes to addiction recovery, inpatient care and sober living are two very different options. In inpatient care, also known as residential treatment, people receive around-the-clock care in a hospital-like setting.
Sober living is for people who are attending outpatient treatment. It is more like a group home, where people can begin to explore independence while still receiving support.
Which option is right for you? Let’s take a closer look at inpatient care and sober living to find out.
Inpatient Care Is More Suited To Early Recovery
Inpatient care usually occurs early in recovery, right after detoxification. This is because inpatient care provides 24/7 monitoring and support, which is essential for people in the early stages of recovery. Inpatient treatment centers typically offer a variety of therapies, such as individual therapy, group therapy, and family therapy. There is also often medication management and recreational activities.
The goal of inpatient care is to help people stabilize their lives so that they can eventually transition to outpatient treatment or sober living. It’s also rarely a choice, especially in severe cases of addiction. Detoxification from certain drugs can be physically taxing as well, requiring a longer period of medical monitoring. In these cases, withdrawal can be prolonged, with potential complications including gastrointestinal problems, heart issues, and even seizures.
Recovery from addiction to these substances generally requires inpatient care:
A person who has a less-severe addiction might be better suited to an outpatient program. Ultimately, inpatient programs are a critically important part of recovery but fill a very different role than sober living homes do.
Sober Living Is Better Suited To Outpatient Care
Sober living is for people who are attending outpatient treatment. Sober living houses are like group homes, where residents have their own bedrooms and share common areas like the kitchen and living room. Residents of sober living homes are expected to follow certain rules as well, such as abstaining from drugs and alcohol, attending 12-step meetings, and getting a job or going to school.
Sober living homes provide structure and support so that residents can begin to live independently. Typically, a sober home resident is somewhat advanced in their recovery, past needing close, around-the-clock care as they recover from detoxification and enter into early recovery.
However, they do benefit from living in a place free from the distractions of addiction. There are no drugs on the premises, which means there’s no temptation to relapse and potentially overdose. Also, sober living helps residents create a vital toolkit for the rest of their lives — a sober support network that will keep them healthy and successful.
So, Which Option Is Right For You?
The answer to this question depends on a few factors. First, it is important to consider where you are in your recovery journey. Inpatient care is more suited for early recovery, while sober living is more suited for later stages of recovery. Second, it is important to consider your personal needs and preferences. Some people prefer the structure and support of inpatient care, while others prefer the independence of sober living.
Ultimately, the decision about which option is right for you should be made in consultation with your therapist or addiction specialist. They will help you weigh the pros and cons of each option and make a decision that is best suited to your needs. With the right care and support, you can overcome addiction and live a healthy, happy life.
Finding A Sober Living Home Near Me
A sober living home can be one of the best resources to have during recovery. A safe space to rehearse the rest of one’s life, sober homes teach valuable lessons and help create a true recovery community around a person.
Finding a sober living house can be difficult, however. The first step in finding the best sober living home for you is to reach out to your drug rehab or addiction center. They will be able to provide you with a list of sober living homes in your area and help you find one that is the best fit for your needs.
When looking for a sober living home, it is important to consider your individual needs and preferences. Some people prefer a more structured environment, while others prefer more independence. Ultimately, the decision about which option is right for you should be made in consultation with your therapist or addiction specialist.
But where to find sober homes to choose from? There are hundreds of sober home providers in the US; finding a sober home near you (or your treatment center) can be a stiff challenge.
That’s why we created SoberLivingNearYou.com. Designed to be the most comprehensive directory of sober homes available, SoberLvingNearYou.com provides thousands of listings at your fingertips. You’ll be able to find your ideal sober home for yourself or a loved one, no matter your location, personality, lifestyle, or budget.
Start searching with SoberLivingNearYou.com today!