10 Things to Look for in the Right Sober Living House

The decision to enter a sober living house comes with its own set of considerations, much like the initial decision to enter drug treatment. According to the U. S. National Library of Medicine, a sober living house offers addicts a chance to implement habits, principles and practices learned in drug treatment within a “real world” environment.

As with drug treatment programs, sober living houses can vary in how any one home is run. You, yourself may also have certain preferences that some sober living houses are better equipped to accommodate than others. Ultimately, finding the right sober living house can mean the difference between a successful recovery path and frustrating disappointment.

Call 800-953-3913 (Who Answers?) toll free anytime for help finding the right sober home for you.

Here are 10 things to look for in the right sober living house –

1. Cost Factors

Sober living houses can vary in cost based on location and amenities offered. Residents have to pay rent and other household costs, so find out what living costs will be early on.

2. Funding Availability

A sober living arrangement should promote a sense of community and safety.

Many sober living houses rely on government funding. In the event funding doesn’t come through, any one home would have to close its doors. Inquiring about a home’s funding outlook can help prevent having to relocate unexpectedly.

3. Length of Stay

While some homes allow residents to stay on an indefinite basis, others may place limits on how long a person can stay. If you’re looking to stay for six months or longer find out where any one home stands on this issue.

4. Formal Treatment Requirements

Depending on the program, some homes may require applicants to be involved in some form of drug treatment or have completed a treatment program. It’s good to know these requirements beforehand.

5. House Rules

Sober homes implement house rules, including curfew requirements and limits on time away. If you’re hoping to spend time with family on a regular basis, ensure the home’s curfew requirements don’t conflict with your plans.

6. Affiliations

Unlike treatment programs, sober homes don’t have to meet any state requirements; however, many homes are affiliated with regulatory agencies by choice. Consequently, homes that form these affiliations likely offer clean and safe living environments.

7. Single Gender or Coed?

While entering into a relationship may be the last thing on a recovering addicts mind, coed homes do come with certain temptations that may or may not hamper your recovery progress.

8. Level of Support

Different sober homes offer different levels of support ranging from peer-run homes to supervised homes with licensed technicians on staff. People coming off chronic addiction problems may want to consider a more supervised, structured living environment.

We can help you find sober living. Call 800-953-3913 (Who Answers?) toll free anytime.

9. 12 Step Meeting Supports

While some programs may hold 12 Step meetings on site, others may have no requirements or even access to 12 Step support groups. Since 12 Step meeting attendance should remain an ongoing part of recovery, finding out about 12 step meeting supports ahead of time is always a good idea.

10. Relapse Considerations

Sober living houses may differ in how they handle relapse episodes. Some homes evict immediately, while others may permit one relapse before evicting a resident. As relapse episodes can and do happen, take your past drug history into account before committing to a home that evicts immediately.