Should I go to a sober living?

Whether a sober living option is legally mandated, friends & family suggested or self-initiated, it will be useful to many in recovery.

For many looking to recover, moving into a sober living home after or during treatment makes a big difference between going back to old habits or moving forward towards the path of recovery.

The need for a stable, alcohol and drug-free living environment can be a very important obstacle to sustain abstinence. The idea of removing someone from a destructive living environment can help create a new social support system in treatment.

While it may not provide the rigid structure of an inpatient facility, it will offer an environment to develop healthy coping skills and habits for when they do leave to return home.

Sober Living Houses often suggest involvement in 12-step mutual help groups. Residents are strongly encouraged to attend meetings and actively work a 12 step recovery program. Those with the longest tenure and more time at the house are often able to provide support to new residents. This type of giving back is consistent with a principle of recovery in 12-step groups and offers help at both ends of that spectrum.

Residents are encouraged to avoid friends and family who might trigger use of alcohol and drugs, particularly individuals with whom they have used substances in the past. Having a house manager & enforcing a set of rules based on creating new living habits and also providing new residents daily or weekly forums where they can have input into the decision making can function as a type of government for the house. This allows all residents, new and old to adjust the recovery process to suit each individual need while maintaining the guidelines that have proven success in recovery.

Often the guidelines include, complete abstinence from alcohol and drug use with random drug testing. Mandated attendance of 12 step self-help groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous. Compliance with house rules, such as paying rent on time, clean living environment, curfews, and house chores. Houses may offer a certificate of completion after a certain time period but extended stays are available for residents adhering to all rules and providing a positive impact to the house environment.

If you feel your current living environment does not offer a suitable way of life that encourages recovery or sobriety, a sober living house may provide the necessary tools and structure to kick-start the road to recovery while providing the chance to make amends, find work and give back to those in your same situation.

To our readers: If there is any other advice you have for considering sober living, we’d love to hear from you!