Whether you have completed a program of addiction treatment or you are about to go into rehab, you may be wondering about whether or not you should attend a sober living house after you go to rehab. Sometimes called halfway houses, sober living houses are a solid option for people who are in early recovery. These structured environments can help keep residents accountable for their recovery.
Going home after attending rehab is not easy. Some do not have a supportive home environment. Others, do not feel completely secure to go home and keep their sobriety without having additional support. On the other hand, some go to substance abuse treatment without having a home to go home to. These people often choose to live in a sober house until they are able to get back on their feet.
There are a great number of benefits to living in a sober house after rehab. Ultimately, you need to talk with your therapist to find what is best for your sobriety.
What are sober living houses?
Sober living houses act as transitional housing to assist in easing the bridge from inpatient treatment to independent living in sobriety. Leaving residential facilities is not always easy – especially if you have been involved in a long-term program. Even though you are sober, early recovery is a period of adjustment which is full of ups and downs. Though many people participate in outpatient treatment programs, these are usually accompanied by sober living as well as additional aftercare support.
Sober living houses accept insurance while others can be self-pay. Whether you go to a sober house after rehab or straight after detox, transitional housing can help pave the way for you for life-long sobriety.
What are sober houses like?
Sober houses vary depending on the house, the state, the owner, and the regulations of the area. However, sober houses are homes which should be drug and alcohol-free, and that bring individuals together in recovery. These houses tend to be scattered in neighborhoods which provide easy access to public transport, and goods that you might need to buy. Depending on how big the home is, you might have one or two roommates, or you might have a room to yourself.
While sober living houses are not as strict as rehab facilities, most houses require residents to keep to a curfew and a set of rules. These often include:
- Chores
- Attendance at 12-step meetings
- Attendance of house meetings
- A job, or a job search
- Drug testing
- Breathalyzer tests
Many sober living houses are managed by a house manager, who keeps up with how members of the household are progressing. This helps to promote routine and accountability, which helps keep the people in the house on the road to recovery.
Depending on the Sober living home in NJ, the length of time that people stay varies. Some houses only allow people to stay there for 3 to 6 months, while other houses allow residents to live there for over a year. Your place at a sober house depends heavily on whether you adhere to the rules, and if you have managed to remain sober.
Benefits of sober houses after rehabilitation
When people leave a sober house, they are encouraged to support each other. This can help combat the isolation which is often felt by people in early recovery. As sober houses provide structured and supportive environments, they make it easier to stay sober after someone has attended treatment.
By using peer support groups and encouraging the attendance of 12-step groups, sober living houses have proved a valuable asset to people who want to stay sober. Studies which compare people who attend sober living against people who did not find that those who went to sober houses after going to rehab:
- Have lower rates of arrest
- Less likely to relapse
- Can find employment easier
- Have less psychiatric or less severe psychiatric symptoms
- Are more involved in 12 step meetings
Sober living communities help their members stick to recovery goals, enforcing good behavior and promoting relationship building. For many, going to sober living NJ after they have attended rehab is a vital part of recovery. Not only does it provide people with a sense of community, but it also helps to lay the foundation of support, fellowship and responsibility which is needed to stay vigilant in your recovery, and go on to lead a happy and long sober life.