Alcohol and drug addiction can have a devastating effect on the whole family. Treatment works, and family interventions can be a first step to recovery. But what happens after treatment? For many, the answer is sober living homes. Sober living homes are privately owned homes for people recovering from drug or alcohol addiction.
They are usually located in quiet and peaceful neighborhoods, where members can de-stress and focus on their growth and recovery journeys. In general, sober living homes are designed for people in early recovery or outpatient treatment, although many are open to people at all stages of the recovery process. An out-of-state sober living program can help residents update their priorities to focus on sobriety. Perhaps the most obvious benefit of sober homes is that they ease the transition back to everyday life.
When they are considered ready to assume more independence on their recovery journey, they move to a sober living environment and a more independent way of living: they travel to the city for classes, work, and social activities; they practice self-care and healthy regimens daily; and they attend 12-step meetings on their own. SLH combined with outpatient treatment can be especially valuable in providing resources to poor communities that do not have funds to establish residential treatment programs or who have the income levels that could sustain sober, self-contained homes, which are more expensive. Sober living homes can encourage peer encouragement, camaraderie, character development and responsibility in residents. Sober living offers a balance between living in the real world and receiving some structure and monitoring. While sober living homes are less restrictive than inpatient centers, they still have rules residents must abide by, including curfews and attending group meetings. The Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) is currently listing Connecticut's certified sober living homes as required by PA 18-171. The best results are obtained when an addict has transitioned from a formal drug or alcohol rehabilitation program and then moves directly to a sober life. Because sober living households reproduce normal situations of daily living while instilling healthy habits, they help reduce the chance of relapse.
One of the greatest benefits of a sober life is the newly discovered (or rediscovered) independence it provides. It is easy to confuse sober houses with rehabilitation centers or transitional houses, but there are some marked differences between them. Sober Living Programs Help People Move From Intensive Addiction Treatment to Life. Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) originated in the 1930s and provided the stepping stones to sober housing by demanding strict sobriety, community participation, peer support, and a 12-step program. In conclusion, sober living homes provide an invaluable service for those recovering from addiction. They offer structure and support while allowing residents to practice independence in a safe environment.
With the right support system in place, those in recovery can find success in their journey towards sobriety.
