Eventually, most rehab programs stop being residential and move to an outpatient model. Usually occurring when patients advance far enough in recovery where around-the-clock monitoring isn’t necessary, it’s an important crossroads in early recovery.
Most programs offer some form of sober living homes, either their own or with a sober home business they partner with. While sober living has genuine benefits in recovery, it can be hard to tell if it’s the right move for your child.
Read on to see if sober living is a good option for your loved one.
Sober Living Teaches Life Skills and Responsibility
Sober homes are safe havens for people in early recovery, but they’re much more than that. They teach life skills like getting up on time, going to work or school, doing house chores, and the other things addiction tends to erode.
Sober homes are also sober communities, so they don’t teach these skills alone. Rather, sober living homes serve as a safe environment in which to practice and learn new recovery-based life skills.
Sober Living Homes Are Structured Environments
Sober homes are structured sober communities that help sober people stay sober. Sober homes often require setting a curfew, attending regular meetings with the house manager, helping out around the home, and being involved in community activities.
This is especially important for those who have just left treatment facilities or rehabs because it helps them to avoid relapse while they explore independent living. Being free of addiction triggers while surrounded by sober people can help someone to focus on their sobriety and start building a new, healthy life.
The Values of Sober Living Houses
Sober living homes have several core values that they teach residents. These values are:
- Responsibility
- Accountability
- Respect for self and others
- Integrity
These values are great for everyone to learn, which is why sober living homes provide another benefit: they give residents a serious leg up in life. When someone learns how to be responsible, accountable, and respectful, they are more likely to be successful in all areas of their life.
How to Tell if Sober Living is Right for Your Loved One
There are a few key things that you can look for to see if sober living is the right choice for your loved one. The first thing you should consider is your loved one’s personality. Does your loved one work well with others? Do they like to be around people and socialize?
Sober living homes offer a sober, structured environment that is highly communal. There are many community activities, chores, and discussions in sober houses. If your loved one has trouble getting along with others or if they prefer being alone, sober living may not be an ideal choice.
Something else to consider is your loved one’s addiction history. How severe is their addiction? Have they relapsed in the past? Sober living houses are a great place for those who have struggled with addiction in the past. They offer a safe and supportive environment where your loved one can focus on their recovery.
Finally, does your loved one have a stable job and/or attend school? Sober living houses often require that residents have both a job and stable housing. If your loved one doesn’t meet these requirements, they may not be able to stay in the sober house. Most drug rehab centers will work closely with their clients to help them find employment; some may even provide interview coaching and other jobhunting skills.
Remember: If your loved one has been sober for less than a year, it may take time for them to find stable employment and housing. Recovery isn’t a race, and their mental and physical health must come first.
The Benefits Of Sober Living In Early Recovery
It’s important to remember that sober living is a temporary arrangement. Your loved one will not be sober in the sober living house forever. The sober house provides enough time for them to adjust and adapt to life without drugs or alcohol, while also giving them an opportunity to develop new lifestyle skills like daily hygiene routines and cooking skills.
Sober homes help your loved one during their early recovery in another way. Sober living teaches accountability. In a sober home, your loved one is responsible for their own actions and choices. This can be an extremely valuable lesson as they work to rebuild their life after addiction.
The sober house also provides a safe and supportive environment for your loved one to learn how to live sober. The residents in the sober house are all on the same path and have the same goal in mind.
There are sober homes that specialize in helping certain types of addiction, such as sober homes for women or sober homes for men. This means your loved one will be surrounded by people who have had similar experiences and challenges during their journey of recovery. This can help them feel more understood, less alone, and give them the confidence they need to continue in their recovery.
Finding A Sober Home Can Be Challenging … Unless You’ve Got The Right Help
When looking for a sober home, it is important to find one that aligns with your loved one’s values and beliefs. There are many sober living homes out there, but not all of them adhere to the same set of principles.
Finding a sober home isn’t always an easy search, but with SoberLivingNearYou.com, you have thousands of listings at your fingertips. Finding the right sober home for your loved one’s needs and lifestyle has never been easier. Contact SoberLivingNearYou.com today!
