What Your Sober House Leader Wants you to Know

The addiction recovery process can be difficult and lengthy, oftentimes taking longer than expected. Sober living programs most benefit those who’ve completed residential treatment and are ready to get a taste of drug-free living in the “real world.”

The sober house leader acts as a type of supervisor within the home in terms of ensuring residents adhere to house rules while maintaining order and structure within the home environment. Over time, the things your sober house leader wants you to know become valuable guidelines for maintaining a drug-free lifestyle for the long-term.

Sober House Living Environments

Unlike the close confines of a residential treatment program, sober house residents hold down jobs, maintain the household, manage their finances and engage in recreational activities. According to the Journal of Psychoactive Drugs, a sober house environment acts as a type of safety net in terms of providing support, encouragement and guidance as a person learns to live everyday life on a drug-free basis.

Not sure if your insurance will help cover your treatment costs? Call our helpline at 800-953-3913 (Who Answers?) for more information.

What Your Sober House Leader Wants You to Know

Rules breed accountability.

A sober house leader helps you maintain a drug-free lifestyle.

While the rules structure within a sober house in terms of performing household chores, curfew requirements and no drug or alcohol use may seem cumbersome, it actually helps you develop the types of habits and routines that breed accountability and strength of character. In turn, these traits enable you to create the type of stable lifestyle that makes drug-free living possible.

Recovery is a process.

Unfortunately, there’s no easy fix when recovering from drug or alcohol addiction. According to the Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration, addiction recovery entails a process of growth and healing that can only be “walked out” on a day-by-day basis. In this respect, a sober house leader is more than happy to help when setbacks occur.

Don’t hesitate to ask for help when you need it.

Support from like-minded peers can prove invaluable for years to come, especially during times when the urge to use is strongest. For these reasons, sober house leaders encourage open communications among residents and want you to reach out for help when times get tough.

Sober house living prepares you for the “real world.”

Sober house programs provide you with the time and space needed to adapt to a drug-free lifestyle while dealing with the pressures and responsibilities of everyday life. In effect, the skills learned along the way will enable you to manage the “real world” when you’re ready to leave the program.

How Long Should You Stay in a Sober House?

Considerations

Going from a residential treatment setting into the hustle and bustle of daily life without needed supports in place can be too much too handle. Under these conditions, the risk for relapse and a return to old, drug-using behaviors runs incredibly high.

Ultimately, your sober house leader has your best interests in mind as he or she has likely walked the path that you’re on now.

If you or someone you know are considering sober house living and have more questions, or need help finding a program that meets your needs, please don’t hesitate to call our toll-free helpline at 800-953-3913 (Who Answers?) to speak with one of our addictions specialists.