Staying sober, especially at the beginning of recovery, can be incredibly difficult. For many, returning home after detox or rehab can be triggering and can jeopardize your sobriety. It is almost impossible to be thrown back into your day-to-day life after inpatient without a high risk of relapse and discomfort. Recovery requires constant work, motivation, and dedication to wanting to lead a sober living. Considering this, taking the necessary steps to safeguard your sobriety is crucial.
Research shows that the first 30 to 90 days after getting professional help, such as attending rehab, are the most important for preventing relapse. During this time, it may be a good idea to consider moving into a sober living facility to help you transition from inpatient rehab to living independently.
What is sober living?
Sober living homes operate as a bridge between inpatient treatment and independent living. It can be very overwhelming to return home after receiving inpatient treatment and resuming daily activities can be a struggle, especially if those daily activities used to include substance or alcohol use. Sober homes can offer an in-between option that will give you a place to implement the lessons and skills you may have learned in rehab.
Sober living, unlike inpatient rehab, offers a less structured environment to adjust to your new sobriety and life. That being said, sober living homes are a monitored environment in which you can become a part of a supportive, sober community to assist you in your recovery.
The benefits of a sober living home
There are many advantages of staying in a sober living program, especially if you are newly sober. Some benefits of moving into a sober living home are:
Reduces risk of relapse
The goal of sober living facilities is to support your sobriety. All sober living homes are both alcohol and drug-free to significantly lessen your risk of relapse and to provide you with a safe place to heal. By drugs and alcohol being prohibited in the home, there is no opportunity to relapse. Moreover, sober homes can help eliminate relapse triggers that can cause cravings.
Provides guidance and support
In a sober living home, you will be surrounded by others who support your recovery and who will hold you accountable. Usually, sober homes have on-site managers that live in the house with you along with other residents who are also in recovery. The managers are there to help you with any potential issues that may compromise your sobriety, such as cravings, loneliness, trouble finding employment, and more. In an effort to further ensure a happy, healthy, and sober environment, there are a set of rules enforced by house managers. House managers will also hold you accountable.
Assists in the development of sober relationships
When returning home after rehab, it can be triggering to see people and places you associate with your addiction. Therefore, sober living homes can help facilitate sober and meaningful relationships with others who are also in recovery. While living in sober housing, you will meet people who are also sober and who understand what it is like to experience addiction. Most importantly, the individuals you meet in sober living are also driven to change and live their best life without drugs or alcohol.
An easier transition back into regular life
Sobriety is a life-long commitment. This means that even once you leave inpatient, you must continue to be dedicated to your recovery. It can be very difficult to apply the skills and lessons you learned in inpatient into your daily life. Therefore, sober living offers a bridge between inpatient treatment and mainstream society. Sober homes can help you ease back into the “real world” without simply throwing you back in and hoping you have the skills to stay sober. Sober living facilities provide a safe and sober environment to come home to each night and a sober community to help you adjust to your new life.
Some additional benefits to sober living
- Sober homes facilitate recovery by providing an environment that allows residents to support themselves through promoting empowerment and emotional well-being
- Sober facilities usually have established rules that help in ensuring the safety and sobriety of their residents
- Sober living homes are typically affordable
- Sober living also offers activities such as meditation, yoga, and 12-step meetings that can help strengthen the sobriety of its residents
- Sober living options can help their residences slowly return to their community without the risks that come with returning to places and people that they associate with their addiction
If you are interested in moving into a sober living facility, Design for Recovery – Sober Living East can offer you the safe, supportive environment you seek. Design for Recovery – Sober Living East residences, based in Mar Vista and Playa Del Rey, helps their residents stay sober through one-on-one mentoring, weekly house gatherings, employment support, money management, family outreach, and foundation based on the 12 Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous.
Design for Recovery – Sober Living East can help you develop a base of skills and tools to thrive in society while also providing you with opportunities for leisure activities, community support, and employment. Contact Design for Recovery – Sober Living East where you can work on healing from the past, while paving the way for a brighter future.