What are the Rules in a Sober House?

When you transition from an inpatient or correctional facility, you might want to spend some time in a sober house to get used to living without drugs or alcohol. You can do this in a sober house or sober living residence. According to the National Library of Medicine, a sober house is for people who need a drug free environment while transitioning back into society. There are some common criteria and rules for these sober living facilities.

Criteria for Joining a Sober House

You’ll be expected to help with chores while living in a sober house.

Although these criteria vary between the different residences, there are several requirements many of them have in common. The common criteria for living in a sober house are:

• You must pass a drug test
• You must have completed a drug or alcohol program
• You have to have the need for housing in a sober environment
• You must pass medical requirements
• You must be psychologically stable or have a psychiatric illness under control

Most of these are easy to meet particularly if you were living in an inpatient environment before entering a sober house. Most often people who move into a sober house have passed drug testing and have any illnesses under control. Since sober houses usually offer communal living, it is important to be physically healthy as well.

Basic Rules While you Live in a Sober Living Facility or Sober House

There are some basic rules that you have to follow while living in a sober house. If you cannot or will not follow these rules, you will be asked to leave. Breaking these rules could violate your parole or agreement with the courts.

• There are no drugs or alcohol on the premises or using while you are living in the sober house. This is usually enforced with drug tests although there are some sober houses that are more relaxed about the testing depending on the facility.
• You must be employed or looking for employment. Looking for employment or maintaining a job is usually a requirement for most sober houses to help you build up a savings for when you leave sober living.
• Set and strive towards personal, financial, and educational goals. These goals are difficult to enforce but you essentially need to be working to better yourself.
• You must help out around the house. Chores are a daily part of life at a sober house. Those that do not do them often face penalties or expulsion.
• You must strive to better yourself by attending educational classes, meetings, or other improvements offered. Although many times these meetings and classes are not mandatory, they are strongly encouraged.
• You must follow curfew or the schedule. Almost all sober houses have curfews.

Although some of these rules might seem arbitrary or obvious, they are there so that you can get the most out of the program. Many of the sober living facilities double as halfway houses for the justice system. This makes the rules even more important.

What Happens if You Break Sober House Rules?

How to Find a Sober Living Facility or Sober House

Sober houses are available for almost everyone to take advantage of as long as they follow the rules. You can find a sober house just about anywhere in the country by calling us at 800-953-3913 (Who Answers?).