What Will It Cost for Me to Live in a Sober House?

For people coming off chronic, long-term addictions, the traditional detox and residential program models may not be enough to prepare them for the challenges they’ll face when they’re out on their own. Old habits and routines can quickly take hold when the structure and supports of a drug treatment program fall away.

For these reasons, many people opt to enter sober house programs before going out on their own in the world. Sober house programs offer key benefits not afforded by other forms of drug treatment. That being so, cost considerations can become a “make or break” factor when considering sober house treatment options.

While costs can vary from program to program, it’s not that difficult to estimate how much any one program will cost when you consider certain factors. Financial assistance programs can also make sober house program costs more bearable for those who qualify for help.

Sober House Programs

Sober house treatment programs provide a type of real-world living environment for people coming out of drug rehab. Rather than reenter a dysfunctional home environment, recovering addicts can develop essential coping skills while living in a sober home.

According to the National Institutes of Health, these programs follow strict rules and guidelines in terms of what they require out of residents. Sober house rules may take the form of –

• Carrying out assigned chores
• Getting a job
• Paying room and board
• No alcohol or drug use
• No alcohol or drugs allowed on the property
• Curfews
• Sponsorship
• Attending 12-Step meetings on a regular basis

These programs hold no affiliations with hospitals or local drug treatment centers. Sober house programs rely on funding from local, private-run agencies as well as rent and boarding payments received from sober house residents.

Cost Considerations

Most sober homes charge rent and for other living expenses.

Recovering addicts must be able to take on daily living responsibilities in order to reenter everyday life and create the type of lifestyle that fosters drug-free living. Likewise, a person will have to pay housing and boarding costs regardless of where he or she lives. In effect, having to pay rent better prepares recovering addicts for real world responsibilities.

In terms of sober house program costs, the amount of rent any one program charges will likely correspond with the neighborhood property values. Homes located in nice neighborhoods typically charge higher rent costs than homes located in less affluent areas.

Program amenities can also influence sober home rental costs. In the case of programs that provide luxury accommodations, monthly rental costs can run anywhere from $2,000 to $4,000 a week. On the other hand, programs offering the bare basics may charge anywhere from $100 to $1,000 dollars a month depending on location.

Financial Assistance Options

It’s not uncommon for people coming out of drug treatment to be unemployed or working jobs that pay meager wages. Fortunately, a person may be eligible for one or more financial assistance options depending on what’s available.

Financial assistance options may include –

• Scholarships
• Grants
• Sliding-fee payment arrangements
• Setting up a payment plan

People who have health insurance may also be able to cover a good chunk of their treatment costs under their coverage plan. Regardless of your circumstances, it’s always a good idea to look into any available financial assistance options.