What Are Sober Living Homes? Are They Problematic?

By Buddy T

Buddy T is a writer and founding member of the Online Al-Anon Outreach Committee with decades of experience writing about alcoholism. Because he is a member of a support group that stresses the importance of anonymity at the public level, he does not use his photograph or his real name on this website. If any area of your life is out of control, it will not help you maintain lasting sobriety. Consider reaching out to a vocational rehabilitation counselor or career coach to help you update your resume, practice job interview skills, and locate jobs that match your skills and experience. Financial troubles and problems finding and keeping employment are major triggers for relapse, but it is possible to take baby steps and get your finances in order.

• According to research held by Psycentral, it takes one up to 66 days to develop new habits.
• Most sober houses will allow you to remain as long as you wish, provided you follow the rules and pay your rent and fees in a timely manner.
• Read on to learn more about sober living houses, including how they function, whether one may be right for you or a loved one and how to find a reputable facility in your area.
• Sober living houses generally allow you to stay as long as you need to, so what really determines how long you remain is you.

The availability of treatment slots for individuals released from jail or prison or particularly lacking. For some those offenders who are motivated for abstinence and capable of handling some degree of autonomy SLHs might be a viable and effective option for recovery that is currently what is a sober house underutilized. Sober living houses and halfway houses are often used interchangeably as they both provide a substance-free living environment for those suffering from addiction. Differences between the two can stem from funding, length of stay, and requirements to apply to live there.

Length of Stay in a Transitional Sober Living Home

For example, if you have been in jail or in a residential treatment program for several months, you may have given up your housing and might not have the financial means to come up with security deposits or buy furniture. The relatively low cost of a sober living home will give you time to save money to make your own housing arrangements. Rules differ from sober living facility to facility, but there are some rules that are common to most sober environments. Residents of sober living homes agree to all the rules when they move in, and violations of the rules have consequences. Depending on the violation, residents may have to pay a fine, make amends to another resident, or write an essay about what they did. In some cases, residents may be asked to leave the home because of violations of rules.

• Those actively working on their recovery who already have some sobriety under their belt and have learned the tools to help them stay sober are more likely to succeed at sober living than those who are new to recovery.
• Over the years, sober living houses have evolved to meet the needs of those in recovery.

If you are trying to maintain a sober lifestyle, those feelings can become toxic and contribute to relapse if you don’t deal with them properly. Many people who misuse alcohol or drugs have trouble dealing with anger. If left unchecked, anger can have a negative impact on your health and your lasting sobriety. A structured routine will help you achieve other goals in your life, whether they are short-term (like being on time for work) or long-term (like going back to school and changing careers). You may also experience what is commonly called sobriety fatigue, which refers to the overall exhaustion that may occur as a result of the emotional and physical stress of staying sober.

How Sober Living Homes Differ From Halfway Houses

Instead, focus on things, experiences, and activities that will support your new, healthy lifestyle. One study found that mutual support groups can be as effective as 12-step programs and may help improve the odds of success for people who are committed to maintaining a lifetime of total abstinence. Once you’re finished a clinical treatment program, it can be hard for many people to move right back into life, with all its responsibilities and potential triggers. You’re free to work or go to school while also being held accountable for your recovery.

They will be able to discuss the best available options and can help locate nearby locations. You can also visit the websites of sober living homes in your area to find one that suits your needs. Sober living homes for the LGBTQ+ help them recover by focusing on self-acceptance, peer support, and mental health. Halfway houses are very similar to other sober-living residences, and it’s no surprise that people often confuse them.

Where Can I Find Sober Living Homes Near Me?

Substance abuse may have taken years of your life, so sober living homes can help you regain them. Lastly, it allows you to build meaningful sober relationships and bonds. Some facilities require a minimum number of days of sobriety from substance abuse, but many will work with you to determine if you’re a good fit. Sober living homes don’t require accreditation, a state license or oversight from a behavioral health care provider. The lack of regulation has led to the creation of homes that lack access to support services or strict rules. Studies indicate that living in sober homes after inpatient treatment increases recovery rates, financial strength and overall stability.

• Rules differ from sober living facility to facility, but there are some rules that are common to most sober environments.
• As such, sober living houses serve as a space to transition into a life without addiction, developing tools and community while getting used to the demands of daily life.
• But when considering some of the services offered, make sure they’re services that help support your sobriety.
• Smith and Clark recommend seeking out an SLH after completing clinical treatment to best practice the skills learned in the program alongside others in recovery.

In addition, most sober homes try to ensure that residents can afford to live there so people who desire to stay sober are able to have a safe environment in which to do so. By addressing the common challenges people face in recovery and providing affordable sober housing, we have helped countless individuals take hold of a fresh start and live a happier, healthier life. The price of rent for sober living varies greatly based on the home’s location, amenities, and services provided. Charging a fair price is ideal, especially since many residents will be coming straight out of rehab and may need help finding employment to get back on their feet. Clients and their families want rules and structure that will maintain an orderly sober living home and maintain accountability among all residents.

Develop a Structured Schedule

We suggest that efforts to translate research into treatment have not sufficiently appreciated how interventions are perceived and affected by various stakeholder groups (Polcin, 2006a). We therefore suggest that there is a need to pay attention to the community context where those interventions are delivered. Each year more than 7 million individuals are released from local jails into communities and over 600,000 are released on parole from prison (Freudenberg, Daniels, Crum, Perkins & Richie, 2005). Although the need for alcohol and drug treatment among this population is high, very few receive services during or after their incarceration.