Clean and Sober Living

Recovery for a substance abuser is a long and difficult process. Not only do many have to get inpatient treatment or stay at a rehabilitation facility, they then have to face all of the every day problems they left behind without the stability of a completely controlled environment. Often, many of the recovering addicts return to environments which are still saturated with the same people they previously spent time with before recovery. For those who are looking to stay on the road to recovery, they should definitely consider sober living before diving back into the main stream.

What is Sober Living?

Sober living is a term used in conjunction with those who are living in a sober living facility. All residents that live in a sober living house promise to live clean and sober: meaning no drugs of any kind are allowed. These residents are all recovering from some type of substance abuse issue and are all working to learn how to deal with every day problems on top of their addiction issues. Residents who choose to move into sober living homes usually are coming from an inpatient program or rehabilitation program; however, some residents come in right off the street.

Sober living houses offer residents a chance to live their every day lives in a semi controlled facility. Residents are expected to stay clean and sober and have to submit to random drug tests as well as room inspections. They are also expected to hold a full time job, do chores, and participate in weekly meetings.

What Are the Benefits of Clean and Sober Living?

There are many benefits of living a substance free life which is why clean and sober living facilities focus on helping residents learn how to live their daily lives without relying on any substances. Sober living facilities provide emotional support as well as psychological support. Since all residents in the facility are working on the same goals and have similar backgrounds, residents form supportive bonds to help them get through the hard moments during their recovery process. These facilities also force residents to be held responsible for their actions: in many facilities, breaking the rules means eviction that very day.

Are There Different Types of Sober Living Facilities?

All sober living homes work for the same goal: to help their residents learn how to live a clean and sober life. There are, however, many differences between the sober living facilities. Some facilities will have more residents than others and will require residents to share their rooms with several other people. More expensive sober living houses offer more exclusive services such as professional chefs, yoga instructors, and personal life coaches. Some sober living facilities only house male residents while others only house female residents; very few are co-ed.

The recovery process for a substance abuser can take years. The hardest part of any recovery is learning how to live life again without abusing substances to avoid life’s hardships. By staying at a sober house, you will be able to experience clean and sober living with a strong support system, all while learning how to deal with every day life issues.