When addiction takes hold, keeping up with daily routines, responsibilities and relationships falls to the wayside. In sober living, these skills are put back into practice in a safe environment with support and guidance. Click Transitional Living Program to know more.
Service description: SLHs are drug-and-alcohol free residences where individuals receive supervised short-term housing in exchange for participation in community and household activities and adherence to house rules.
Once you’ve successfully completed a rehab program, you may feel ready to return to the world. However, returning to the community in which you were living while abusing drugs or alcohol can be difficult. Old behavioral reflexes can threaten to undo all of the hard work you’ve put into your recovery. In this case, a sober living home (sometimes referred to as a halfway house) can be an ideal transitional environment.
The first step is to choose a sober living home that will suit your needs. There are many options out there, ranging from small homes with just a few people to larger houses that can accommodate up to 20 or more residents at one time. SLHs offer social support, as well as housing that is free of drug and alcohol. Some SLHs also offer structure and supervision to help build responsibility. For example, you may be required to attend weekly meetings or uphold household chores. Travel restrictions are common, as is a curfew to promote healthy sleeping patterns.
During your stay in a sober living home, you will likely develop close bonds with others who are going through the same experience. This can help ease the adjustment back to your daily life, as you will have friends to spend time with and who will understand what you’re going through. It’s important to have these types of friendships in sobriety, as studies have shown that these relationships can boost relapse prevention efforts.
It’s also important to have specific supporters who can help you in moments of weakness, as general support may not be effective in times of crisis. A sober support network is critical for long-term recovery, as it can provide the encouragement and motivation you need to remain sober. A sober living support network can also help you navigate relapses, which will likely occur at some point.
You should also consider the financial aspects of a sober living home before you move in, as these homes are often not covered by insurance and may require you to pay out-of-pocket costs. However, there are often payment plans and scholarships available for those with a need.
Getting back to your life.
After completing addiction treatment, you may be ready to return to your life. But before you do, make sure you’re prepared to handle the obstacles that could arise. You’ll likely need to distance yourself from people, places and activities that can trigger a relapse.
This means that you might need to stay away from your old drinking friends and avoid places where alcohol is served. It’s also a good idea to shop in grocery stores that don’t sell alcohol. You’ll also want to find new hobbies or social activities that keep you engaged and occupied.
You can also continue to engage in recovery support groups and therapy sessions. You should also maintain a healthy diet and exercise. This will help you feel your best as you begin to regain control of your body.
In a sober living environment, you’ll live with other individuals who are also in recovery from substance abuse. This can be a great way to develop meaningful relationships, support each other and become accountable to one another. Many sober living homes have structured routines that include daily responsibilities, curfews and drug testing. These help individuals build a solid foundation for sobriety in their lives.
Once you leave a sober living home, you’ll need to create a budget and find ways to meet your daily needs. This might include maintaining employment, seeking out financial assistance or exploring educational opportunities. It’s a good idea to work with a vocational rehabilitation counselor or career coach to update your resume, practice job interview skills and locate jobs that match your qualifications.
It’s important to spend time with family and close friends. Make sure that they know about your journey to sobriety and are supportive of it. This is an opportunity to build a strong support network that will lift you up in difficult times.
It’s also essential to recognize your own personal triggers and learn to cope with them in a healthy manner. If you notice that you’re starting to relapse, it’s important to act quickly. You’ll need to come up with a plan for what to do next, which might include upping your meetings or therapy sessions, moving to sober living or even returning to rehab.
Getting back to yourself.
Once you have successfully completed a treatment program, it is important to get back to yourself. This can be hard for some people who have become accustomed to a certain lifestyle or set of habits, but you can take steps to make the transition easier. This can include getting rid of toxic relationships, finding new hobbies and avoiding places where you may be tempted to drink or use drugs again.
It’s important to create a support system for yourself while going through this transition. This can include attending recovery meetings, having therapy sessions and spending time with family and friends who encourage your sobriety. It is also important to create a routine that includes healthy eating, exercise and getting enough sleep. These are all things that you probably already knew were important in your life, but now they can be a big part of your daily regimen.
Identifying and avoiding triggers can also be helpful in maintaining sobriety. For example, if you used to go to bars or hang out with friends who drink, you will likely need to find new friends or find other social activities to keep you busy. This may mean changing your route to work or limiting the amount of time you spend at old bars or hangouts.
Another thing to consider is setting measurable goals that you can track over time. This can help you feel like you’re making progress and giving yourself the sense of accomplishment that you need to stay sober. This can include attending recovery meetings, participating in therapy sessions and even volunteering at a sober living home.
It is also a good idea to continue with your spiritual practice, whatever that may be for you. This can be a great source of comfort and inspiration in times of stress and temptation. Whether you choose to pray, meditate, read inspirational books or listen to music, having this as a part of your routine can be beneficial. Finally, remember to take it one day at a time and celebrate your successes, no matter how small they may be.
Getting back to the basics.
The goal of sober living is to get back to a state of self-sufficiency and independence. This means re-establishing relationships and taking care of the daily responsibilities that fell by the wayside when you were using drugs or alcohol. For many people, this is a challenging task. However, it can be accomplished with the help of a sponsor and support groups such as Twelve Step meetings.
A sober living home is a group residence where men or women in recovery live together, usually after completing an addiction treatment program. Typically, these homes are private residences in residential neighborhoods with a house manager and anywhere from four to thirty-four residents. Most sober living houses are only open to people who meet certain criteria, such as medical and clinical stability. They may also have specific rules, such as no smoking, no drugs or alcohol and curfews.
While sober living homes are not substitutes for formal addiction treatment, they can be an excellent place to transition back into a regular lifestyle. They provide a safe and supportive environment that allows you to practice the skills learned during formal treatment in an environment that is free from triggers and temptations. Many sober living homes are also staffed by trained professionals who can assist you with addressing any emotional or mental health issues that might interfere with your recovery.
Generally, sober living homes are structured as large single-family homes, with anywhere from four to thirty-four bedrooms. They are typically owned by private individuals, though some are run by charities or businesses. Most sober living homes are only open to men or women, and they are rarely both. The majority of these homes are also only open to a maximum of 30 residents, which makes them less crowded than halfway houses.
Residents are required to pay rent, follow house rules and participate in routine activities such as meals and chores. Often, they are also expected to work or attend school during their stay at the sober living home. Some homes have additional requirements, such as cell phone and pet policies. These requirements are meant to encourage residents to focus on their responsibilities and not distract themselves with electronic devices or their pets, which could distract them from working on their recovery.
