The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly Side of Recovery Houses

A lot of people may have difficulty adjusting to being at a sober living home and following the rules there. One reason is that they may have been used to having a little more freedom when they were still using drugs or drinking alcohol and may find that it is difficult now that they are trying to live without them. Addiction is a complex issue, and recovery is a continuous commitment. Once you’re finished a clinical treatment program, it can be hard for many people to move right back into life, with all its responsibilities and potential triggers. You’re free to work or go to school while also being held accountable for your recovery. For those who decide to spend some time in a substance abuse halfway house, there will be plenty of benefits.

Feel free to reach out with any questions about our different programs — we’d love to talk to you about your options. If you’re getting out of an inpatient program, there should be plenty of discussion between you and your treatment team about what the next steps for you will look like. It’s important for aftercare to be considered before you even enter treatment. To answer the question of “how do sober living homes work” doesn’t really require splitting hairs between these different types of residences, so we’ve elected to treat them as one collective type of program. Just don’t assume that all programs will operate exactly the same.

What Is the Sober Living Program, and Who Would Benefit Most from It?

We know that you’re sick of using drugs and alcohol, but that you probably don’t know how to live without them. We’ve created a men’s sober living community from every walk of life that has successfully embraced recovery from substance abuse addiction and mental health issues, and a life of meaning and purpose. At Transcend’s men’s sober living homes, you’ll be surrounded by people that truly understand what it means to live beautifully.

• Communal living settings for adults recovering from substance abuse.
• This way you will have a plan of action for what to do during these times and have healthy ways to manage triggers in your daily life.
• A central objective of SLHs  is to provide a positive living environment that reduces exposure to relapse triggers.
• Those living in a sober living house are serious about their recovery.
• Polcin, D. L., Mericle, A. A., Callahan, S., Harvey, R., & Jason, L. A.

Instead, they required applicants to begin their sobriety before approaching the sober house. Recovery programs filled the gap by initiating abstinence and including detoxification. (1) put the person in the car for a long ride or on a plane. (3) when they leave the drug rehab, have the person live in a sober living environment (or their safe home if they are married or have children). If you really want to knock it out of the park, following a long-term sobriety plan that keeps them accountable will do the trick.

Why Might a Longer Stay Be Beneficial?

Most likely, insurance will not cover this type of housing, because it is not considered a mental health treatment center. Since sober living homes are often financially independent, they usually do not accept insurance. Residents’ insurance sober house may, however, help cover addiction treatments – like therapy. At Transcend, we offer several men’s sober living facilities across the United States. While each one has similar recovery programs, each location offers a unique lifestyle.

Not all sober living homes are equal, so finding a place that an acquaintance has recommended could be helpful. Going to a sober living house has been proven to support sobriety efforts, with results ranging from a decreased amount of relapses to long-term sobriety. Over the years, sober living houses have evolved to meet the needs of those in recovery.

Should You Go to a Sober Living House?

We host nightly “family” dinners, weekly meetings, and regular outings to create an environment that promotes cohesive unity. The brotherhood between house members empowers everyone to walk through tribulations with much-needed support, and to meet our high standards. Everyone here knows what it means to be their brother’s keeper.

Residents are expected to participate in rehabilitative programs and to complete all court-mandated requirements, such as community service. As we’ve said many times already, there’s no one answer to, “How do sober living homes work? ” Each program operates under its own slightly different rules. Some programs might only accept clients who have already completed an inpatient stay at a connected facility, or they might give them a higher priority on the waitlist. You will be strongly encouraged and supported by fellow residents to attend treatment outside of the home through outpatient treatment options and/or 12-Step programs.

It can take weeks or even months to get into a sober living home.

If you’re having a hard time adjusting to a sober life, reach out to a mental health professional who specializes in addiction and substance use. SLHs have their origins in the state of California and most continue to be located there (Polcin & Henderson, 2008). It is difficult to ascertain the exact number because they are not formal treatment programs and are therefore outside the purview of state licensing agencies. Over 24 agencies affiliated with CAARR offer clean and sober living services.