Sober living programs are designed to help individuals move from intensive addiction treatment into independent living. All long-term programs are not created equal.
It is essential to choose a rehab program that will help you stay sober from Soledad House. Unfortunately, the addiction treatment industry is full of scammers. This can make the selection process extremely stressful.
What Is Sober Living?
Sober Living Homes, also known as SLH, offer continuing care after addiction treatment. These homes can also be known as transitional living and recovery residence programs. Residents reside in supervised recovery homes. The residents share the goal to achieve full independence when they prove that they are stable and sober.
Sober living assists residents in their transition from intensive care to independence. Residents with SLH have full autonomy and are monitored by peers or supervising staff to ensure that they remain accountable.
Any long-term program of sobriety should emphasize the need for clinical supervision.
Sober living is for those who:
- More accountability is needed in the journey to sobriety.
- Are you leaving an intensive outpatient or intensive inpatient program?
- Are you considering moving into a more structured, but still independent, home?
- Do not currently use drugs or alcohol.
- Residents must be “clean”, and work towards self-sufficiency to be admitted.
Halfway Houses: Sober Living Programs
Although both sobriety and halfway homes require sobriety they can be distinguished in certain ways.
Residents at the Sober Living home don’t have to be in any form of rehabilitation. Residents are allowed to stay as long or short as they like. Residents must be sober and make timely payments for residential fees.
Halfway house residents have to be enrolled or complete rehabilitation. Many homes do not allow applicants with criminal records. Once accepted, residents can usually stay for 12 months.
Depending upon the programs, SLHs and Halfway Homes may have some other differences.
There are two types of programs. One is a residential inpatient and one is an outpatient. The applicants might need therapy or detox before they enter the program. Referrals to services for treatment may be available.
Sober Living is a good option if the applicant…
- Prolonged support living
- Stable housing that is immune to funding cuts from the government
- An alternative to therapy
- Lower out-of-pocket living costs
- Halfway House is possible if an applicant is…
- You will need temporary housing while you are an inpatient or outside the patient.
- Have completed or are currently enrolled in an addiction treatment program.
How Sober Living Works?
Applicants should understand how the structured independence afforded by SLH fits into their life.
Sober living programs offer transitional homes that allow for self-directed independent living. However, SLHs that are of high quality can still be supervised. Therefore, you must follow the house’s basic rules.
All applicants must undergo detoxification and work towards sobriety for acceptance.
Residents must perform all household duties to keep their homes.
Attendance is mandatory for all house meetings.
The program intensity starts high and changes dynamically as residents advance.
A minimum stay of 90 days is recommended However, most residents stay between 6-9 months before moving on to full independence. Some may stay for up to one year.
Many other variables influence overall program quality and effectiveness as well as fit. This group tends not to change across different types of sober homes.
