Moving into a sober living home is a major life change. A positive one, mind you, but a major life change all the same. While sober living is the perfect environment to recover in, it’s normal to have some questions and apprehensions before you settle in.
One of the most useful sober living tips revolves around what to bring with you when you move in.
Items You Should Bring With You To A Sober Living Home
A stay in a sober living home is likely to last at least a few months. Like any extended stay away from home or the place you’ve been living, there are a couple of things you should bring with you to make your stay in a sober living home more enjoyable.
One important thing: Before you pack, check the sober home’s rules. There are many different types of sober living homes. Some may allow electronic devices; others may control access to them. To save yourself some embarrassment and trouble, ask your home if they have a list of items that are allowed and which aren’t.
The Right Clothes
Sober living homes often include a lot of group activities, many of which are held outdoors. Packing items suitable for outdoor activities like shorts, athletic clothes, shoes, and swimsuits is a smart move.
Also, if your home is away from your usual surroundings, take seasons into consideration. A sober home in say, Southern California is going to have very different weather than a sober home in Minnesota or on the East Coast. A sun hat is good if your stay is going to be during the warmer months; you might look into a knit cap or other cold-weather items if you’re going to be in a sober home during winter.
It’s also a good idea to pack work clothes – you may find yourself re-entering the workforce during your stay, so having a couple of outfits suitable for office wear is smart.
Basically, pack about a week and a half’s worth of clothing, along with under- and sleepwear.
Personal Items
Some sober homes provide toiletries, but it’s always nice to have what you’re comfortable with. Toothpaste, a toothbrush, deodorant, soap, and shaving equipment are all nice things to have when you’re living in a sober home.
This is especially true for prescription items like glasses and contact lenses.
Entertain Yourself
If you’re reading this article, chances are you aren’t a monk. So why act like one when you move into a sober home? Make sure you pack a few things to entertain yourself with, like handheld puzzles, books, knitting kits, and anything else you think might keep you occupied during downtime.
A journal is an excellent idea – journaling your path towards recovery can also help you recover. Coloring books and a set of pencils or markers are great, too – coloring has a lot of benefits as meditation does.
While it’s by no means universal, many sober homes are device friendly and have wi-fi access. A tablet, handheld device or laptop loaded with your favorite software can be a great companion during recovery in a sober home, if it’s allowed.
One Last Good Thing To Bring: Your Papers
One of the smartest things to do before moving to a sober home is to collect a list of important phone numbers, and either write them down or put them into your device’s contact list. Make sure your primary care physician’s details are included if you have one.
Also make sure you have at least one form of ID with you: state ID card, driver’s license, birth certificate, etc. Plus, if you have any chronic conditions or prescriptions, bring along documentation so house management is aware of them.
What Not To Bring
There are some items you shouldn’t bring with you into a sober home. Some of them are obvious; others are less so:
- Weapons: We get being nervous about moving into a home with strangers, but you don’t and shouldn’t pack weapons or defense items with you. Sober living is very much a shared space and it’s important to respect others’ space.
- Drugs & alcohol: People live in sober homes to stay away from addictive substances. Sober homes work by and large because there’s no access to drugs and alcohol. Even personal items containing alcohol like mouthwash or perfume are often discouraged. Unless it’s prescription medication, bringing these things with you will at best mean having them confiscated. At worst, it could mean getting kicked out of the home.
- Expensive things: It might be best to keep items such as expensive jewelry and family heirlooms with a trusted friend or family. They’re just things to worry over as you recover in the sober home.
Interested In Sober Living? Here’s Where To Find A Sober Home
As we’ve said, there are many different types of sober homes out there. Finding one you’ll be comfortable in is important. So where to start?
If you’re attending a drug rehab or addiction center, you’re lucky – you might already have a selection of sober homes to choose from. If you’re searching on your own, however, you’re in luck – this is the perfect site to be on.
SoberLivingNearYou.com has compiled thousands of sober home listings. Finding a sober home suited to your personality, needs, and interests is as easy as signing up and logging in.
Start your search and find your sober home today with SoberLivingNearYou.com!