How long should you stay in a sober living home?
This is a question that many people struggle with, and the answer can vary depending on the person. While there’s no one-size-fits-all answer to any question around recovery, it’s generally accepted that a longer period of time spent in drug and alcohol addiction treatment means a greater chance of success in recovery.
Longer Stays Mean Better Outcomes
The National Institute on Drug Abuse says that people should spend at least three months in a drug rehab for successful recovery, with further months of addiction care if they need it. This is fine, but at some time in a person’s recovery the question of where they live is going to come up.
In early stages of recovery like detox and inpatient care, the question’s easy to answer — they stay at the facility they’re receiving treatment from. But as they advance to the outpatient stages of care (partial hospitalization and intensive outpatient programs) it’s a different story.
Many patients return to their homes when they reach the outpatient stage. However, this can be a problem in some cases. Those patients may be living with people who don’t understand (or even disapprove of) their new sober lifestyle, or they might live in an area where old hangouts and friends might trigger a relapse.
Enter sober living: a sober home’s structured environment can provide a safe place for someone in outpatient care to live and continue their recovery. It can also help them transition back into “the real world” after rehab, providing support and accountability when they need it most.
So how long should you stay in sober living?
Length Of Stay Depends On The Person
While there’s no set length of time people spend in sober living, a longer period spent in a sober home means recovery is more likely to be successful. Sober homes can provide structure and accountability for those who need it most, and it’s no secret that staying accountable and involved in the recovery process has a positive impact on abstinence.
Many sober homes require residents to stay for 90 days, but there are many people who stay longer than that. As long as you continue making progress towards your goals and maintaining sobriety, there’s no reason to leave prematurely.
There are genuine benefits to staying longer in a sober home, however.
Benefits Of Longer Stays In Sober Homes
The longer you spend in a sober home after rehab, the more time you have to build up your coping skills. Sober living is about learning how to live again without drugs and alcohol, and if there’s one thing that can be said for certain it’s that this takes time.
Learning new ways of thinking about yourself, other people and the world around you is a process that takes time and practice. Staying in a sober home for an extended period of time will give you the opportunity to work on these skills, and to do so in a safe and supportive environment.
In addition, staying longer in sober living can help prevent relapse. Drug rehab provides an intense level of care and support that is unmatched by most sober living homes. By continuing to live in a sober home after rehab, you’re less likely to relapse as you’ll have access to the support of your peers and staff 24/7.
Also, there’s something to be said for accountability. Many sober homes require regular meetings with a recovery coach, and this sort of accountability is often what people need to stay on the right track.
Sober living isn’t as intense or structured as rehab, but it’s still an integral part of recovery. The longer you spend in a sober home after rehab, the more time you have to learn the skills you need to stay sober for the long haul. Sobriety is a lifelong journey, and there’s no such thing as too much support. Some people stay in a sober home for 90 days, while others stay longer.
As long as you’re making progress towards your goals and maintaining sobriety, there’s no reason to leave prematurely.
Finding A Sober Home Is The First Step
So, the answer to “how long should I stay in sober living?” is ultimately up to you and your recovery team. As long as you’re making progress and staying sober, there’s no need to rush things. Take it one day at a time, and when the time feels right, move on to the next step of your journey.
Finding a sober home can be challenging, but if you have the right resources (like this website) it’s far easier. SoberLivingNearYou.com is the best way to find a sober home that’s the perfect fit for you, your personality, and your interests. With thousands of listings at your fingertips, there’s no better place to find your sober living solution.
Start home hunting with SoberLivingNearYou.com today!
