Does Sober Living Take Place After Treatment?

Sober living homes are a sort of group homes for recovering addicts. Typically these homes are privately owned, although some of the group homes are owned by businesses or owned by a charitable organization. Most of the homes are usually located in a quiet, residential area to assist in ensuring a more peaceful environment for addicts to recover.

These types of homes are different from rehab centers; a rehab center might offer a much more intensive recovery program but in turn gives the residents or recovering addict less freedom. For the recovering addict who lives in a sober living facility, there is much more freedom to come and go as long as they follow certain, very specific rules. As an example, sober living houses may require residents to be home by a certain time or to be employed. Residents are also usually subject to random drug tests to prove that they are sober or drug free.

Some Positive Reasons to Choose a Sober Living House

Living in a sober house is a great way to build your recovery community.

• You are never alone or isolated
• You have a support system for recovery
• You are accountable for your actions
• Random drug testing is a very strong deterrent
• Learn to function in the real world
• You learn how to be self sufficient

People who live in these types of facilities are expected to be responsible for themselves and be very independent. This is a very important step in their recovery because with addiction people have been known to act in irresponsible ways. Family and friends of the addicts have been known to enable them but unfortunately not in the way they need at this point in their life. People who live in sober homes usually have to pay their own rent, buy their own food and do the same things they would do for themselves if they lived in a regular home. However, they do also have to submit to random or drug testing and follow the rules of the house.

According to a study conducted by the National Institute of Health the recovery outcomes of the patient were very good, lasting anywhere from 12-18 months longer for the patient who went from Rehab to the Sober Living home.

There are good reasons for coming home or going to a sober house after rehab. If you have an incredible support system in place already at home with friends and family are making a total commitment to help you get through this difficult time in your life, then coming home is the right thing to do. If you are coming out of rehab and have the feeling that you are not quite ready to be out on your own or you have no support system in place, then a sober living house may be the best choice for you.