15 Surprising Things you Didn’t Know About Sober Houses

According to the National Library of Medicine, not having a stable living environment that is drug and alcohol free can greatly damage the recovery of addicts, even if they are determined to succeed. Sober houses, or sober living facilities, meet these needs. However, there are several things you may not know about them.

1. Sober Houses Provide a Variety of Social Activities

These facilities encourage residents to get to know one another, both to encourage mutual support, and help residents get used to living with other people in their sobriety.

2. Sober Houses Usually Provide Counseling for Ongoing Treatment

Most sober houses have on-site counselors to help you continue your addiction treatment and avoid relapse.

3. A Sober House is Not Necessarily for Criminals

While often confused with “half-way houses”, sober houses are different in that they cater to recovering addicts. While some of these may be rehabilitated criminals, this isn’t always the case, and there are some sober houses that refuse people with criminal records.

4. There are Varying Degrees of Sober Houses

Most sober living facilities offer life skills training in order to improve your chances of continued sobriety.

Sober houses range from dormitory living to entire sober living communities.

5. Many Sober Houses Offer Life Skills Training

Part of addiction recovery is learning how to live sober. These facilities aid in this by teaching basic life skills, to improve the chances of real recovery and permanent sobriety.

6. Many Sober Houses Encourage Continuing Education

It is well known that increased education leads to success and personal growth. Many sober living facilities aid residents in earning their high school diploma, GED, or college degree.

7. Sober Houses Help you Practice the Concepts you Learned in Inpatient and Outpatient Treatment

While learning the ideas and information about sober living are important, applying them in practical and real-life situations is even more important. Sober facilities allow you to do this in a safe and nurturing environment.

8. A Sober House is a Safe Place to Stay while you get your Life Back Together

Sober houses are secure locations with strict rules and on-site supervisors. This provides a safe location for recovering addicts to live while they focus on adjusting to their new sober lives.

9. Most Sober Houses allow Visitors and Family

Family and friends are important parts of everyone’s life. Many sober living facilities allow these people to visit to further the recovery of the resident, and allow them to maintain important relationships.

10. Some Sober Houses Allow Pets

Keeping a pet requires responsibility. This is one of the skills encouraged in sober living facilities.

11. Many Sober Houses have Private Rooms

The majority of sober facilities have private rooms. This more accurately represents how people live outside of recovery, and increases a resident’s privacy and comfortability.

12. Some Sober Houses Provide Continuing Care for Physical and Mental Illnesses

Experts agree that treating the causes of addiction, often physical or mental illness, are the key to ending the cycle of addiction. Some sober houses meet this need on-site, or can refer residents to places that do.

Sober Living Programs: A Training Ground for Drug-Free Living

13. Some Sober Houses Provide Spiritual Counseling

There are sober living facilities that are sponsored by, and adhere to, certain religious or spiritual beliefs. These also provide spiritually based counseling services to improve the resident’s spiritual growth.

14. Most Sober Houses Offer Employment Counseling and Assistance

The purpose of sober living facilities is to prepare recovering addicts for returning to normal life. This includes developing skills for, and finding, gainful employment.

15. A Quality Sober House is Not Difficult to Find

There many sober houses all over the country. Federal, State, and local health departments often have listings of these facilities. Many rehab centers and counselors are also capable of providing patients with a list of sober living facilities in their area. To find one call 800-953-3913 (Who Answers?).