Sober living houses, also known as halfway houses are safe and drug-free residences for recovering addicts who are transitioning back into the community. These houses provide a safe and substance-free environment to help people in recovery overcome addiction.
The Benefits of Sober Living Houses
- A sober living house provides an in-between sober environment that supports residents’ recovery journey
A sober living house provides a substance-free environment that encourages residents to develop healthy coping habits. In this environment, residents are held accountable for their actions, which ensures they remain on the path to recovery. Unlike going back home where some people may not have the samesupport system, sober living houses offer ongoing recovery support from people all with the same invested interests. Furthermore, residents are required to follow certain rules like attending meetings, doing some chores and complying with any drug-testing requests; These simple routines help to give residents structure and purpose which can help to restore a sense of order when going through the often tricky time post-rehab.
- Residents can create meaningful relationships with like-minded people in recovery
Staying in a sober living house after rehab allows you to create meaningful relationships that reinforce the commitment to overcome addition. The support system in these houses helps residents to avoid isolation which is a potential trigger for drug use. In sober living houses, residents get to interact with like-minded individuals pursuing sobriety.
- Sober living houses lower the risk of relapse
Sober living houses provide more structured care treatment programs, ongoing recovery support, and a safe environment for those in recovery. Instead of going straight to an unstructured environment at home, staying in a sober living house improves chances of staying sober. Moreover, these houses have an effective relapse prevention plan in place to help residents develop healthy coping habits. Chances of relapse are lower in a sober living house as compared to going back home after rehab.
- Helps people in recovery to transition smoothly
Sober living houses act as a bridge between rehab and the real world. The intermediate environment helps people in recovery to transition smoothly. After a stay in rehab, recovering addicts are often prone to relapse as they make sense of this new transition. Sober living homes provide an ideal balance between receiving support and living in the real world.
The only downside of sober living homes is that they are more expensive than going back home.
The Benefits of Going Home After Rehab
- Reunite with friends and family
Living with strangers in a sober living house can be difficult for some people in recovery. Therefore, going home after rehab can be a more attractive proposition. For a person who’s uncomfortable with living with strangers, going home after rehab not only lets them reunite with their friends and family but also helps them to avoid loneliness.
- Going home is cheaper
To stay in a sober living house, residents pay some fees that go toward rent, house management, drug testing, and other costs. Going home after rehab doesn’t come with these costs. For those who don’t have the financial resources to pay for a sober living house, going home is a viable alternative.
- Family support
For someone with a supportive family, going back home after rehab can be an ideal option. Their loved ones may be committed to helping the person overcome addiction in any way they can.
- More flexibility
While sober living homes are generally flexible home-like environments, there are certain rules and procedures to follow, there may be curfews and randomized drugs tests. There may be requirements to participate in certain programs such as 12-step programs or work training. After the strictness of rehab some people may prefer to do things their own way, perhaps in their own time and not have the concern of others involved.
Conclusion
Choosing where to live after rehab can be challenging. You must weigh the pros and cons of each option and choose what works best for you. You can as well consult with a specialist and understand your options before making a choice.