How Does Structured Sober Living Work?
The policies and procedures that guide residents of sober living houses can be very different from place to place. Many sober living houses require residents to follow detailed schedules and adhere to strict rules, while other houses provide less structure and have fewer requirements.
The following are common ways that sober living works:
- Onsite Staff
- Curfews
- Random drug screenings
- Regularly scheduled drug screenings
- Group counseling sessions
- Private bedrooms and shared communal spaces
Residents of sober living houses are usually expected to meet certain behavioral standards. Depending on which house you live in, these expectations may include the following:
- Helping with cooking or other household chores
- Not having pets on the premises
- Not having overnight guests
- Remaining abstinent from alcohol and other drugs
- Participating in certain group activities
- Attending offsite support groups, counseling sessions, or other therapeutic activities
- Working, attending school, or actively seeking employment
If you have been seeking a sober living house for yourself or someone in your family, it is important to ask detailed questions about how the residences you are considering are maintained and managed. As is also the case when you’re looking for a treatment program, you should focus on finding the place that best aligns with your needs and goals, or with those of your loved one.
What is a Structured Sober Living Environment?
The term sober living refers to supportive housing for adults who are currently participating in or who have recently completed treatment for addiction. Sober living houses are often referred to by a variety of terms, including sober living homes, sober living residences, and halfway houses.For people who are working to gain a solid foothold in recovery, a sober living house can be a vital source of structure, guidance, and motivation. Most sober living houses have rules to ensure that the residences remain safe, drug-free environments. They also typically have staff members who provide both oversight and assistance.
Admissions criteria at sober living houses can vary. For example:
Certain sober living houses are gender-specific, while others may have both male and female residents. Some houses require residents to have already completed treatment, while others may accept people who are still enrolled in a program.
Residents who have mental health concerns may be welcomed in some sober living houses, while others are focused solely on people who are struggling with addiction.
How Much Does Sober Living Cost?
The costs of sober living can vary considerably depending on several factors. The location of the house, the on-site services that are offered, whether the resident will also be actively participating in treatment, and the length of time they will be residing at the sober living house are among the many considerations that can influence the cost of a person’s stay.
Benefits of A Structured Sober Living
Every person who enters a sober living residence has a specific set of goals and daily schedule they are working to achieve. The types of benefits that they receive from their time in sober living will depend on what their goals are and where they are in their recovery journey.
In general, though, people who spend time in a quality sober living residence should expect benefits such as the following:
Safety: Sober living houses are designed to be safe spaces. This may include security measures such as cameras and alarms. It should also include making sure that the houses are drug-free environments where people can feel secure in their recovery.
Support: When a person is living in a sober living house, they may receive considerable support from staff and other residents. This may include counseling sessions, learning opportunities, assistance accessing community-based services, and personal encouragement to remain in recovery.
Community: While they are living in a sober living environment, residents can discover the power of active engagement with the recovery community. This includes both giving and receiving support. As residents gain a stronger foothold in recovery, they can begin to appreciate the value of helping others who do not have their level of experience.
Accountability: Residents of sober living homes are typically subject to random drug screenings and a variety of other rules. In addition to establishing structure and maintaining a safe environment within the house, these policies also help residents take greater responsibility for their actions and become more accountable to themselves and others.
Opportunity: Sober living houses provide residents with a wealth of opportunities to progress in recovery and improve their overall quality of life. When a person is in a safe environment, supported by others, actively engaged in a community, and accountable for their decisions, they are in the perfect place to achieve their goals and realize their true potential.