Life after rehab is hard, and making the transition into so-called normal life leads many recovering addicts to relapse. To make the transition easier, some people choose sober living facilities for a period of time after rehab. Also sometimes called a halfway house, a sober living home (SLH) is a place where you can get back on your feet after rehab in a supportive and, most importantly, sober environment. SLHs are typically not licensed or regulated by states and they may or may not be connected to a rehab facility. If you have a supportive and sober family to return to after rehab, a SLH may not be necessary. However, many people face uncertain housing and varying levels of support when leaving rehab, and a SLH can be a better retreat. Here are four of the best reasons to think about a sober living program.
6 Reasons to Consider a Sober Living House After Rehab
1. Sober living residents stay sober
Rehab is an important part of the path to recovery from addiction, but it should never be the final step. Treatment for addiction has to continue, and when you live in a SLH, it does. Although not treatment facilities, SLHs encourage ongoing treatment, which means that residents stay sober after rehab. Research has found that residents at SLHs are more likely to abstain for longer periods of time than people who go home after rehab.
2. Sober living provides built-in social support
Research shows that social support is an important element in staying sober after addiction treatment. If you’re lucky, you’ll have a family to return to and a group of sober friends for a strong support network, but not everyone does. Even if you have this group, not everyone can understand your position like fellow addicted individuals in recovery can.
Living in a SLH means having a group of recovering addicts for mutual support. You can also help each other stay sober, which is a powerful tool in recovery. Living with others is a great way to prevent isolation, which can lead to the kinds of emotions, like depression and boredom, which may cause you to relapse.
3. Sober living includes discipline
As strong as your intentions to stay sober may be, adhering to your goals when you are the only one holding yourself accountable isn’t easy. Sober living homes have strict policies and rules. Living there means being accountable to yourself, the staff and the other residents. This accountability and discipline can go a long way toward helping you stick to your goals. It also gives you a sense of responsibility and a purpose.
4. Sober living provides a smooth transition
The transition from rehab to home life can be jarring. You go from a fully supportive treatment center to the home where you engaged in bad habits. You may need to go back to work or school and face old friends and family members you’ve hurt. It’s not easy to do this, and SLHs provide the opportunity for a smoother transition. They are somewhere between a treatment center and post-treatment life. You can go to work or school and come home to your supportive, sober environment and stay until you are ready to face the world fully.
5. Sober living can help you build a sober lifestyle
In rehab, it’s easy to follow the rules and stay busy because there is always something going on. But when you get back home, life can be a lot more mundane. Having structure and a routine that comes with living in a SLH can help you create good habits for your new sober lifestyle. You learn how to structure your time and manage life’s responsibilities without using drugs or alcohol. This makes it much easier for you when you do go home and live on your own.
6. It’s an environment of healing
Living in a SLH gives you a chance to heal from the damage caused by your addiction and develop a new way of life. It is an environment free from drugs and alcohol, where you can focus on yourself and on making changes to improve your health. You get the emotional support of others in recovery, as well as access to resources that can help you grow spiritually, mentally, physically, and emotionally.
This is an important part of recovery that often gets overlooked, but it is essential for long-term sobriety and health. By living in a sober living house, you can have an environment of healing and growth to support your recovery. You can also build relationships with those who understand your struggles so that you are never alone on your journey of recovery.
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Ultimately, sober living is an important part of the recovery process. It can help you to stay sober, build a solid support network, remain accountable, transition back into life after rehab more smoothly, and establish a healthy lifestyle. Living in a sober living house is a great way to stay on the path to sobriety and build a life that is fulfilling and free from addiction.
Sober living isn’t for everyone, but for some, it is a life saver. If you’re nervous about life after rehab and worried about relapsing or transitioning, an SLH could be just what you need. Call us today at 844.875.5609 to learn more about sober living houses or any other questions you may have.