A Day in the Life of a Sober House Resident

According to the National Library of Medicine, sober houses are often beneficial for furthering your recovery and transitioning to the outside world. Many people wonder what happens in sober houses, but really it is not a mystery. If you enter a sober house, you will live just as you would at your own home with a few exceptions. Most days are pretty typical before you find a job or there is a special activity going on. Most days go something like this.

6:00 – 7:00 A.M Wake Up Routine

Most people wake up around six or seven in the morning. Some sober houses have a wake up later or earlier but this is the time when you get up and go through your morning routine. If you are sharing bathrooms with others this gives you enough time get a shower or at least get into the bathroom before breakfast depending on the size of the sober house.

7:00 – 8:00 A.M. Breakfast

Breakfast is always an interesting time. In some sober houses there is a designated cook while in others you each grab your own breakfast. There is usually a variety of foods available for new comers but some food is reserved for those who purchased it. Make sure that you do not take someone else’s food as it is frowned upon.

8:00 – 10:00 Meetings and Preparation for the Day

House meetings are generally held between 8:00 and 10:00 a.m.

The morning counseling and group meetings take place during this time. Each sober house is different but usually house meetings are held in the morning so that everyone who needs morning counseling receives it. The day’s planned activities are usually announced at this time or at breakfast.

10:00 – 12:00 Individual Counseling and Appointments

Individual counseling and appointments are normally carried out during this time. This is sometimes free time for those who do not have a counseling appointment. Counselors are normally on hand during this time.

12:00 – 1:00 P.M. Lunch Time

Lunch is similar to breakfast except everyone usually makes their own lunches. Those that are at the sober house during the day are normally new residents so this is a time for them to meet with others and talk about problems and issues.

1:00 – 5:00 P.M. Free, Activity, or Class Time

Depending on the day this time block is reserved for free time, planned activities, or classes held at the sober house. Sometimes there are outings, job related classes, or other activities, other times this block is just free to do what you need or want to do. This time is extremely flexible depending on the sober house and its residents. Most people take advantage of this time to further their recovery.

5:00 – 6:00 P.M. Dinner

Sometimes the dinner is prepared other times everyone is on their own. The same rules that apply to breakfast and lunch normally apply to dinner.

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6:00 – 10:00 P.M. Night Meetings and Activities

This time is reserved for night meetings, house meetings and other activities. Sometimes they have social gatherings other times it is night meetings and learning activities. Everyone is winding down for the night and lights out is usually at 10:00.

Sober houses usually have a very regimented schedule for those who need it but allow free time for those who do not. When you start working while in a sober house the schedule for you changes around your work schedule. What happens in a sober house does not need to be a mystery. For more information on finding the sober house that is right for you, call  800-953-3913 (Who Answers?).