Who Pays For Sober Living?

Sober living houses can be a great way for former alcohol or drug addicted individuals to transition from a recovery program back into their daily lives. For some it can be difficult to go back into their former living arrangements for fear of relapse, and other negative influences. Many are recommended to move into a sober house until they are ready to move back into their own homes. Since sober houses are privately owned properties, they do not receive state or government funds.

According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine, sober houses are financially sustained through resident fees and individuals can typically stay as long as they wish. Because they do not offer formal treatment services, they are not monitored by state licensing agencies.

Who Pays For The Costs of Sober Living?

To live in a sober house, residents must be able to support themselves, follow the house rules, and help out around the sober house. They are also responsible for certain expenses while living at the house. Some of the expenses that the residents are expected to pay for include:

• Rent: Once an individual comes out of recovery and decides to move into a sober house, they must be able to sustain themselves financially. This means they are expected to work and be able to pay their share of the rent. It is one for the first requirements of being able to live in a sober home. It is also one of the main house rules. Payments for rent are expected on time. An important life skill is self-support, and paying rent is an important part of it.
• Food: At most sober houses, the resident must also be able to buy their own food. They are expected to be able to buy the necessary food items to prepare and cook their meals. They cannot expect other residents of the house, or the owners of the sober house to buy or give them food. They cannot take food that belongs to other house members. Everyone is responsible for their own meal expenses.
• Personal items: Items such as bath soap, toothpaste, shampoo, towels, and other toiletries are to be the responsibility of the resident. Most items that are necessary to maintain cleanliness is the responsibility of the resident to get. Other items can include laundry detergent to wash their own clothes. Not all sober living houses may have these requirements, but many do. It is another part of residents being self-supported.

Sober housing is paid for by the people who live in the home, per the rules of each home.

All sober homes are not the same, but most have rules in place that include residents being able to cover all related expenses of living there. A resident is expected to work to meet their financial obligations. It is part of becoming self-supported and being a productive member of the community. For some that have just come out of recovery and do not have job, many sober houses can provide the resources need to find work.

Other Ways to Pay for Sober Living Expenses

Rent, among other expenses that are necessary to live in a sober home are the resident’s responsibility. Depending the sober house arrangement, some residents pay their rent with their social security income, or a family member may agree to pay the rent for them. Many sober homes may allow this as long as the rent is covered, the resident takes care of other related expenses as mentioned above, and follows the house rules. This includes keeping the house clean, and other duties assigned by the house managers.