6 Benefits of Sober Living Homes

Residents may not have to pay for utilities at all, making housing very affordable. Residents may remain in a sober living home for as long as they want – if they continue following the house rules. The length of time depends on an individual’s unique journey and how long their treatment and recovery take. In our comprehensive guide, we share the truth about sober living homes, including what it is like living in a sober house and how it factors into the long-term recovery process. In their paper on sober living houses, Jennifer David and Jake Berman point out that it’s only relatively recently that researchers have begun to accumulate evidence on the efficacy of such residences. I agree; we have some black holes in our research on substance use disorders and recovery.

The amount of time spent living at a sober living home will vary greatly from person to person, but there are some clear signs that may indicate a person is ready to move on to the next stage in recovery. A few homes may receive charitable assistance or government subsidies, but more homes are now privately owned and have developed a rent schedule based upon the services provided, number of residents, and length of stay. Local non-profit organizations or government programs often supported the first sober living homes. With limited funding, homes were established where it was more cost-effective at the time. This meant homes were opened in less desirable neighborhoods where the property values were more affordable.

How Long Do I Have to Live There?

Terms like “inpatient,” “partial-hospitalization,” and “medically-managed” may be different terms that you’re accustomed to in daily life, but are common to the world of addiction treatment. At Premiere Sober Living, our mission is to provide the highest quality of transitional housing and comprehensive supports services to individuals in sober house early recovery. We are committed to creating a safe, nurturing, and structured environment to promote recovery, personal growth, and reintegration into community. Sober living and recovery homes provide ongoing structure and support by cultivating a drug-free lifestyle where you can live safely and comfortably with like-minded peers.

So, if you’ve ever wondered what a substance abuse halfway house was, or asked yourself, “How do sober living homes work? To live there, you must pay monthly fees (essentially, rent), which support the cost of maintaining the home. Additionally, many sober living homes have resident councils, which help govern daily life, enforce house rules, and offer peer support. Other sober living homes are more like boarding houses, except that there are strict abstinence requirements, and residents do not get the final say about rule-making. Also called halfway houses, Sober Living Homes may be owned by a company or religious organization, but they are most often owned by private individuals or groups, many of whom are in recovery themselves. These homes operate like co-ops with residents paying rent and sharing chores and house upkeep.

Factors that Predicted Outcome

These homes allow for independence while guided by a set of recovery-focused house rules, standards, and expectations. Visit the Vanderburgh House website to learn more about their sober homes. Our therapy models include many Eastern philosophies, where students learn mindfulness meditation, martial arts therapy, equine therapy, and adventure therapy. We know that in the 21st century, there are many different challenges and expectations for young adults than there ever were before. We embrace and utilize these outlooks to create an exceptional sober living environment. It’s totally fair to wonder how sober living homes work at first — after all, most of us don’t encounter them in our day-to-day lives.

They are often an essential part of the treatment process for people who are not yet ready to face the everyday stressors of life in recovery. Many individuals attempting to abstain from alcohol and drugs do not have access to appropriate housing that supports sustained recovery. Our study found positive longitudinal outcomes for 300 individuals living in two different types of SLHs, which suggests they might be an effective option for those in need of alcohol- and drug-free housing. Improvements were noted in alcohol and drug use, arrests, psychiatric symptoms and employment. Although criminal justice referred residents had alcohol and drug use outcomes that were similar to other residents, they had a harder time finding and keeping work and had higher rearrest rates. Areas for further research include testing innovative interventions to improve criminal justice outcomes, such as Motivational Interviewing Case Management (MICM) and examining the community context of SLHs.

Mental Health Services

Every Arizona sober living home has its consequences if the rules are broken. Some may have a process that will allow a relapsing individual to stay if they get back on track. Returning to the “old” world where a person’s addiction was rampant, with old friends who are still using, old places and circumstances that will sharply bring back old habits—can be a very frightening thing. Getting help for one’s addiction and struggling through the months of recovery is a huge ordeal in and of itself. Leaving the intense environment of treatment and going straight back to previous routines can be fatal—in more ways than one. Some red flags to watch for so that you don’t get lured in include being wary of coed housing.

The best place to start is usually just reaching out to a program you’re interested in and asking some questions. If they think you might be a good fit, they’ll likely ask you some of their own. You might be placed on a waitlist, as these tend to be in fairly high demand. A common house rule is curfew — you’ll have to be back home by a certain time each day. Addiction is very complex condition, and many people take different paths in recovery.4 Therefore, it may help to consult with a specialist familiar with your unique situation when making these types of decisions.

CALIFORNIA SOBER LIVING

There is too much opportunity for distraction and bad things to happen. Your best bet is to look for a gender-specific sober home or at least one that houses men and women separately. The oft-cited average is between 166 and 254 days, which means about five and a half to eight and a half months. It’s less important to compare yourself to the average and more important to speak to the professionals you’re working with about what’s working for you.

However, the differences between sober living homes go way beyond the type of residence. Residences can be very simple in style providing basic living facilities, to high-end luxury apartments. While every sober living home has their own set of rules, the ultimate goal of sober living is to provide a place removed from the temptations of the outside world. When fixated on the myth that all sober homes are in bad neighborhoods, the likely vision most individuals will have is that of a dilapidated house in need of dire repair. Although some homes may indeed require attention, the privatization of sober living homes has meant companies need to attract new patients to survive.

What kind of rules are in place at sober living homes?

We can help you learn more about the benefits of different types of addiction treatment and therapies and how to set yourself up for success in recovery. The Sober House Directory is a resource for people seeking sober housing. It’s a great online tool for discovering a sober living home that’s a good fit for you. In the event that Vanderburgh House does not meet your needs, we encourage you to have a look at this excellent resource for choosing a sober living facility.

• These relationships are essential because they understand what you’ve been through.
• You will have the independence to go out and find a job on your own, and take the steps needed to be successful in any job you pursue.
• Picking the right sober home can literally be the difference between a relapse and sobriety, so it is really important to do your research and know where you are going.
• The term sober living generally refers to living a drug-free and alcohol-free lifestyle.