What is Sober Living?
Sober living is a transitional living facility for recovering drug and alcohol addicts. The residence serves as an outpatient facility for individuals leaving their primary treatment and detoxification programs. They are often privately owned, but they can be religious, philanthropic, government, or business affiliated.
Sober living facilities have strict house rules, which residents must abide by. Typically, there are shared house responsibilities, visitor policies, approval for leaving beyond work or school, and a mandatory curfew.
However, the factor that they all have in common is that they require residents to pass sobriety tests through frequent and random drug testing. If a resident relapses and cannot pass a sobriety test, they should return to a primary treatment program, in addition to working with medical and mental health professionals.
For recovering drug and alcohol abusers, sobriety can be a difficult goal to reach but it is not unattainable. The supportive environment of sober living can help any individual reach their ultimate goal of clean and sober living.
How does Sober Living Differ from Other Facilities?
Sober living differs from medical treatment facilities and rehab centers. It does not offer primary medical treatment or detox programs on their premises. It is designed to welcome and accept individuals who have successfully completed treatment and detox and are now looking towards rehabilitation and recovery. They assist substance abusers in their path from post-treatment to permanent sobriety.
Studies show that people who choose to live in sober living have higher rates of success towards lasting sobriety than those who choose to return to their previous residences (with family, partners, friends, or on their own). Sober living facilities utilize strict rules and provide a supportive environment to help individuals maintain and monitor their sobriety.
Individual Support within Sober Living
Sober living is usually run by a house manager or personnel. They are in charge of daily operations and ensuring that all guests have what they need, are meeting the necessary requirements, and feel stable and secure during their stay.
The facilities may also offer the support of physicians, licensed therapists, wellness experts (yoga, meditation, or mindfulness teachers), client advocates, and additional staff.
12-step programs (Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous) may occur within the sober living facility or outside at a separate location. Meetings like 12-step programs are necessary in recovery. There is usually transportation available and assist in arranging rides to meeting locations.
Individuals who work in sober living may employ contingency management as an additional tool for support and relapse prevention. According to the American Psychological Association (APA), “addiction counselors may provide tangible incentives to encourage patients to stay off drugs.” These may be anything from private kitchen privileges to visitor approval. “Although these rewards might seem small in comparison with the force of addiction, studies have found that carefully structured contingency management programs can help people stay clean.”
Physicians, nurses, mental health practitioners, sponsors, and mentors offer continuing individual support for residents. Physicians, nurses, and other medical professionals may assist with administering medication if needed (based on the individual’s treatment and recovery plan).
Other places offer in-house individual therapy sessions, with a counselor who visits the house. Wellness experts, like meditation or mindfulness teachers, may also provide individual support. All professionals who work with recovering residents offer a warm and empathetic ear and are there to find a method of healing that works for the individual. Specific catered plans for the recovering person create a feeling of care, support, and acknowledgement.
Group Support within Sober Living
Sober living offers group support through peer-to-peer recovery. Residents at these facilities are all at similar stages of recovery. They have completed their primary treatment and detox programs and are now focused on healing and sobriety.
While it varies based on the type of sober living, roommates, floormates, or housemates offer in-depth support. Communal living provides the chance to get to know others in ways not possible by attending one 12-step meeting alone. Developed friendships and shared experiences not only serve as group support but as learning tools. By sharing past experiences (like reasons for previous drug use and other struggles), residents learn that they are not alone in the pain they experienced, the shame they feel, or in their doubts about the road ahead. And there is no greater opportunity for understanding than in a supportive living environment for addiction recovery.
Most sober living facilities offer group activities or require mandatory participation at certain events. Taking part in these social activities helps the recovering party build a healthy support network. Developing friendships is an added bonus. Individuals in recovery might cite their new relationships and friendships as part of their foundation in building a new life. With a strong support system in place, they will be stronger in standing up against and ignoring harmful influences, people, and places. Those in recovery need healthy connections, not harmful ones. They need positive, clean, and sober friends and mentors.
Studies show that peer support and working together toward a shared goal can help recovering abusers achieve long-term sobriety. Communicating with one another, making sure others are attending meetings, holding each other accountable, cooking together, and even participating in outdoor activities together can make lasting psychological change in the life of an addict. One of the most important things for a recovering abuser to realize is that they are not alone in their pain or struggles.
Supportive Healing
While inpatient treatment can sometimes create a sense of fear and dependency, sober living empowers the individual to embark on their life in the outside world.
Living life independently is the goal for any adult. However, an adult in recovery has extra hurdles to overcome in order to live a healthy, free life. The supportive and healing environment that a sober living facility offers, prepares the individual with the tools they need to succeed.
