If you have been through detox and intensive inpatient treatment and you are newly sober, a sober living may be perfect for you. As you are transitioning from treatment and beginning a normal life, it can be difficult learning how to balance the day-to-day demands of work, relationships and your commitment to stay sober. Sober living can be a great way to ease that transition.
Sober living usually happens in group homes that have set rules–such as curfews, expectations around jobs, and drug testing policies. The homes allow people in early recovery to have more freedom than they did during inpatient care while still having guidance and accountability to help them stay on track with their sobriety. But, just like it can be daunting to choose a treatment center, it can also be tough to find the right sober living home for you. That is why we are giving you 4 things to consider when choosing a sober living.
- Ask what type of structure and accountability the house has.
One of the things that sets sober living apart from other housing options is that there is built in accountability. In some homes people are required to hold a job and attend a certain number of meetings each week. Some sober living homes rely on urine testing to ensure their clients are staying sober. How the programs hold people accountable varies. That is why it is important to ask about expectations and regulations before you move in just so you know that you are comfortable with them.
2. Choose a sober living home that works with your rehab.
Many rehab programs work closely with a handful of sober living homes in order to provide streamlines communication and support that is of benefit to their clients. Knowing that your rehab and sober living home are working together to advocate for your success, can remove a lot of stress in the transition process. It is known as a continuity of care. In addition to taking the recommendation of your rehabilitation center, find a sober living home that is certified so you know there is some level of quality assurance.
3. Make sure it feels like a safe space.
In order to succeed in early recovery, clients need to be safe and at ease. That means that they should make sure their sober living home feels comfortable to them. That might mean choosing a facility that has a smaller number of clients for example. The key is making sure that you will be at ease in your environment. It is also important that you get along with the house manager, who can have a big impact on the environment of the sober living.
4. Be prepared to learn
No matter how great the sober living home is, it won’t always be easy. This is because an important part of sober living is learning how to coexist with other people and maintain or adapt new life skills. Eventually these skills will help you have healthy relationships with your family and people at work. Not only that, but they will teach you how to live life as a sober individual. Sober living is an opportunity to do this in a safe space, with people who are going through a similar situation.
If you or a loved one are looking for options of Sober Living to assist with your substance abuse recovery, reach out to us at GateHouse. We are available to you 24/7! Call us at (855) 448-3588.
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