The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline is a free referral service that provides information about mental health and substance use disorder treatment programs. It is available in both English and Spanish, and text messaging service 435748 (HELP4U) is currently only available in English. If you have health insurance, it is recommended that you contact your insurer for a list of participating providers and healthcare facilities. The Affordable Care Act (ACA) requires insurance companies to provide treatment for substance use disorders, but sober living homes are not considered part of this ongoing care and, as a result, may not be covered by insurance.
Sober living homes provide a safe environment to help people recover and prepare to get back on their feet, but it is not a treatment center. The insurance should help cover the therapy visits that patients must continue after they have finished rehabilitation. The cost of sober living homes can vary greatly due to a variety of factors, such as the location of the home, the accommodation and amenities provided in the home, and how the home is financed for sober living. It is important to talk to your potential housemates or home management to determine what your monthly rental cost will be.
The final dollar amount (or percentage) of covered costs for sober living will vary from provider to provider and, in some cases, may not be covered at all unless a “medical need” is demonstrated. After verifying your insurance coverage, the next step is to find sober homes that accept insurance. Once you complete rehabilitation, the center's staff can help you find a sober home that fits your needs. Sober Living provides a strong community-based approach to helping clients be responsible and creating relationships with others who are also on the path to recovery. While this support network and these new experiences can be invaluable, especially for those in early recovery, sober living households do require residents to contribute monetarily to the project. Many people entering sober homes have recently dropped out of rehabilitation programs and are therefore likely not to have a current job.
While Medicare can help cover the cost of substance abuse treatment for many people, sober living is not mentioned as part of what the program considers essential services. American Addiction Centers, the parent company of River Oaks, is proud to offer sober living facilities called “Resolutions” at some of its locations. To provide comprehensive ongoing care, Greenhouse offers a sober living center called Resolutions Arlington. You can also connect with residents of sober living homes through rehabilitation alumni networks or through support groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous. Insurance may be able to help you cover the costs of medical treatments, such as outpatients and medications, even if you live in a sober home.
