Tips for Making the Transition from Rehab to Upscale Sober Living

For those in recovery, sometimes making the transition from rehab to sober living can be challenging and even downright scary in so many ways. Fortunately, “sober living houses are structured in a way that avoids some of the limitations of halfway houses,” and rehabs, according to the National Library of Medicine. Although moving on from residential treatment to an upscale sober living environment will be a major change, it should be a positive change and another step in the right direction along your journey to sobriety.

What is Upscale Sober Living?

Upscale sober living takes place in a sober house in which there are no worries of space, lack of amenities or similar issues that may arise in a standard halfway house or sober house. Here, residents live a luxurious lifestyle in a sober house that includes upscale amenities and features that make the process of transitioning back into a life of full time sobriety outside of residential treatment both comfortable and exciting too.

Making the Transition

Though you will pay for most of the cost to be there, you have to follow the rules set by your sober home.

There are many different factors that will figure in when making the transition from residential rehab to upscale sober living. According to the Substance Abuse Services Coordinating Agency, “about 90% of the residents pay their rent using their own funds.” As such, the transition to upscale sober living, though challenging, will generally be funded by the resident rather than by any type of government subsidy or other means. When transitioning, it’s important to have a game plan in place to cover the cost of rent, shared bills for utilities, food and other personal expenses.

You’ll be required to continue participation in counseling and therapy so it’s important to work with your counselor to come up with an aftercare plan before you leave rehab. This will allow you to smoothly make the switch from living in a residential treatment setting and receiving in-house counseling and therapy, to living in an upscale sober living home and having to attend regularly scheduled sessions for treatment and therapy.

Social Changes

Things are much different in a sober house than they were in your rehab program. You’ll need to prepare yourself for the social changes and challenges that are likely to arise when you make the transition from rehab to sober living. Be prepared to meet new people, to answer a lot of questions, to make new friends and to cope with your emotions in the event that there are others in the sober house whom you don’t really have any relation to or who you may not get along with. There will likely be many lessons on patience and understanding when you begin living with a new group of people in your upscale sober living home—but that’s ok!

Social changes, meeting new people, making new friends and coping with your fears or anxieties when it comes to having people around that you may not be “thrilled” to be around are all major learning points in your transition back into society after treatment. If you feel like you’ll resort to poor behaviors or like you just can’t get along with a particular individual in your sober house, seek prompt help and guidance from a counselor. Remember, there will be many challenges along the way but if you remain focused there will be a number of benefits to be received from your transition to upscale sober living.