The Reality of Living at a Sober House

Substance abuse is a very serious contemporary problem. Treatment is sometimes needed to correct the abuse. However, these treatments do not prepare patients for living without their substance of choice. Sober houses meet this need, but what are sober houses really like?

What is a Sober House?

According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, there are a number of different treatment options for people suffering from substance abuse disorders.  A sober house provides aftercare or concurrent care for these treatments.

Sober houses, also known as sober living facilities, are group residences that prepare recovering addicts for life after addiction. They provide safe and stable living arrangements that are drug and alcohol free and designed to help residents learn/re-learn the skills necessary to get through life without drugs or alcohol. They do this by encouraging recovering addicts to take on the responsibilities of life without being completely on their own.

For more information on sober houses, call SoberHouse.com at 800-953-3913 (Who Answers?). We can answer any questions you might have.

Rules of Sober Houses

Each resident has assigned chores they’re responsible for.

Sober living facilities exist to help people learn to live sober and get back on their feet after addiction. In order to achieve this goal, they must maintain structure and stability. As such, sober houses have strict rules that residents must follow.

These rules vary depending on the individual facility, but there are some basic rules that most have in common:

• No drugs or alcohol are allowed on the premises.
• All residents must complete chores or responsibilities assigned to them.
• No violence or criminal activity will be tolerated.
• Residents may not engage in sexual relationships with one another while living in the facility.
• Everyone must submit to random drug and alcohol screenings.
• You must make payments of rent or fees owed to the sober house on time.
• Residents are required to be civil to one another.
• No guests may stay overnight.
• Residents must abide by the curfew, unless granted special permission for work or school.
• Residents must be employed, attend school, or participate in an outpatient treatment program.

All of these rules provide structure and support to the residents of the sober living facility, as well as keep them safe.

12 Step Groups and Sober Houses

It is also very likely that the sober house you choose will require regular attendance of—and active participation in—a 12 step group such as Alcoholics Anonymous. This is because, according to the National Library of Medicine, active participation in mutual support 12 step groups is shown to be beneficial in promoting a sober lifestyle, and in supporting continued recovery. However, 12 step groups are only effective if participants actively engage in them. By requiring active participation, sober houses help participants to get more out of 12 step groups.

9 Things you Might Not Realize about Sober Housing

Finding Sober Housing

If you have completed a drug or alcohol treatment program or are in outpatient treatment and you are finding it difficult to return to your life and maintain sobriety, living in a sober house may be beneficial to you. Call us today at 800-953-3913 (Who Answers?), and allow us to help you find the facility that will enable you to successfully continue your recovery and prepare for life after addiction.