Are Sober Houses Safe?

Sober houses are safe options for individuals in need of a living situation that is free of drugs and alcohol. In fact, these homes are much safer for people recovering from addiction than an environment that is supportive of substance abuse.

Safety of Sober Living Homes

In general, sober living facilities have been found to be in safe neighborhoods, to look similar to other houses surrounding them, and to have no negative effect on the safety of the neighborhood they are placed in. People have been finding help in these types of facilities for many years, and they have created very little disturbance over the time in which they have existed.

For the most part, these homes do not provide professional treatment, but they are regulated. According to a study on sober living facilities from the Journal of Psychoactive Drugs, “The Sober Living Network (SLN) are available to certify houses in terms of meeting health, safety, and operational standards,” and before you decide to move into one, you should absolutely ask if the facility is certified by the SLN.

If a person seems at all threatening to the safety of a sober house, the residents can usually vote to have them removed.

For the most part, though, the residents usually run these homes and will decide if a certain individual has proved themselves unfit to live at the facility. Sometimes, the owners of the house will step in as well if there is an issue. In sober houses, the safety and sobriety of all residents is the main priority, and if someone is threatening this, they will be asked to leave.

Sober living homes are secure facilities that are less regulated than residential treatment facilities but no less safe. While many individuals presume that these homes will be less than fit or located in dangerous neighborhoods, they are actually built to be much more beneficial to residents and to keep them in a strong, healthy state that also includes safety from substances of abuse, violence, and other issues.

Sober Homes vs. Non-Sober Environments

According to the Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment, “A major challenge facing many individuals attempting to abstain from substances is finding a stable living environment that supports sustained recovery.” When a person is not able to do this, even after attending a professional treatment program, they will be likely to backslide and relapse back to drug abuse. This is not only frustrating but also extremely dangerous.

Relapse after treatment has ended can be serious, as many individuals no longer have a tolerance for the drug and may overdose. Being in an environment that is not conducive to recovery is one of the most dangerous things a person can do after treatment ends, which is why choosing to live in a sober home is actually safer than going home to a non-sober environment.

Sober living facilities are built specifically to help people avoid relapse and further substance abuse, whether they are leaving rehab or using the program as an alternative form of treatment. This option is very safe for individuals in this type of situation and should be considered one of the better options for those in recovery.

Sober Homes are Safe

These facilities have been found to be especially secure and beneficial to their residents. If you want to learn more or would like to find a sober home in your area, call 1-888-460-6556.

Choosing Between Sober Living Properties