When you’re transitioning from addiction treatment to regular life, it’s important to consider a sober living facility to prevent relapse and provide the support needed to continue a lifestyle free from substance abuse. If you lack a stable living situation that’s free of alcohol and drug temptations, you’ll face obstacles to remaining sober. Anything less than a sober living environment is an uncontrolled and potentially harmful situation that can derail your recovery, even if you’re highly motivated to stay away from substance use.
A sober living house gives you the alcohol- and drug-free environment necessary to be successful in your goals of abstaining from alcohol or illicit drugs. You are provided social support, medical services, monitoring and recovery meetings in a sober living home.
A 2010 study published by the Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment reported that residents of sober living homes made significant improvements in a variety of areas, including alcohol and drug use, finding a job and experiencing fewer negative psychiatric symptoms.
State-of-the-art Facilities
A state-of-the-art sober living facility offers high-quality care within a structured environment. Part of this structure is an environment that effectively monitors treatment progress. A home designed with equipment and services to provide accountability for residents maintains everyone’s health and safety.
Professional Medical Services
A sober living home with experienced healthcare staff helps you stay substance-free by offering treatment when needed. Also, your aftercare services may include prescription medications. By having medical staff onsite to administer and monitor medications, you can maintain a prescribed dosage schedule while eliminating the temptation to abuse these drugs.
Maintaining Dignity and Independence
The ideal sober living home makes you and other residents feel more independent, but not as though you’re completely on your own. As you show you can consistently handle your responsibilities, you step down to fewer restrictions. By reaching milestones that prove you need less monitoring, you’ll work your way into daily living with complete independence.
Along with a sense of accomplishment gained from reaching milestones, you’ll enjoy daily recreational activities that build your self-esteem. You’ll also attend addiction support groups. These groups help to provide a sense of belonging and offer opportunities to share your stories, struggles and victories with others also in recovery.
As a recovering substance abuser, living an increasingly independent life with dignity empowers you to heal and grow so you can build a new life without using drugs or alcohol.
Drug Testing
The reality of recovery is that relapse after addiction treatment is common. There are high relapse rates regarding certain substances, like alcohol or heroin. A sober living house with drug testing is a critical component of ensuring maintained sobriety. This support keeps everyone safe while keeping the living environment free from temptation.
Sober Living Homes – All the Support, Structure and Monitoring You’ll Need
While sober living homes are less restrictive than inpatient treatment programs, you’ll still have the support, structure and monitoring needed to successfully continue your recovery.
As you progress, the structure and monitoring becomes less restrictive, and you do this at your own pace. It’s the best approach to avoid the temptation and lack of support you’d face if you returned home after treatment and lived on your own.