Alternatives to Sober Housing After Rehab

Sober housing is a wonderful option for many individuals who are transitioning out of addiction treatment and into recovery. For many people, leaving rehab can mean the need for a drug- and alcohol-free living environment where individuals can stay as long as necessary in order to get back on their feet. Sober living houses can be a perfect option for those individuals.

However, some people may be looking for alternatives to sober housing after rehab. While they vary in their ability to provide a controlled environment and some may be more appropriate for patients at certain levels of recovery, these alternatives should be considered by anyone who feels that sober housing is not for them.

For help finding a sober living house, get help today at 800-953-3913 (Who Answers?).

Halfway Houses

The main differences between halfway houses and sober living facilities is that the former

• Does not require residents to have a job upon arriving
• Does not require residents to pay rent
• Does mandate support group membership (as sober living houses may only encourage it)
• Often mandates individualized counseling as well
• Will help residents find a job and new living arrangements
• Usually has a set time by when residents need to move on in order to make room for others

Halfway houses are normally the kind of residential facility an individual will enter after incarceration as opposed to rehab. According to the Federal Bureau of Prisons, “The BOP contracts with residential reentry centers (RRCs), also known as halfway houses, to provide assistance to inmates who are nearing release.” However, in some cases, an individual leaving rehab may want to consider the option of a halfway house.

These facilities may be particularly beneficial to those who attended rehab as a mandate of the criminal justice system, perhaps even in lieu of prison time. A person who is leaving rehab in this state may need the stricter code of conduct that a halfway house demands residents follow as opposed to the more lenient one given by sober houses.

Also certain individuals who have little to no support system or who live in an extremely dangerous or rough area where drug abuse is rampant may want to consider starting out after rehab in a halfway house. Recovery can be fragile, and a person’s progress should be protected as much as possible. However, those who do not already have a job or a means with which to pay rent at a sober house can start out at a halfway house. There, they will be assisted in finding a job as well as a residence appropriate for their needs.

We can help you find a sober home that’s right for you. Get help today at 800-953-3913 (Who Answers?).

Living with Someone

Attending regular support group meetings can help you make the transition after rehab.

If you had been living on your own before rehab, it may be a much safer idea to move in with someone you trust or to have them move in with you. This option will make it much easier for you to deal with the issues of your recovery as well as to avoid triggers and cravings. As long as the individual is someone you trust and who has your best interests at heart, you will be likely to experience a stronger recovery than if you were to return to an empty home or apartment.

Some of the ways in which having a roommate (or more than one) who knows your situation can be beneficial are

• Your roommate can go through your home and find any items that may trigger a relapse or cravings for the drug and remove them before you return.
• Your roommate will be nearby to discuss any feelings you may be having, especially those like depression, suicidal thoughts, anxiety, and others that, without a proper outlet, would be likely to lead to relapse or the possibility of endangering yourself.
• Your roommate can gage your moods and be a reliable outside source, allowing you to see what you may not have seen about yourself and your own recovery through their eyes.
  • This can truly help if you are starting to display warning signs of relapse which you may not see.
• In the event of an emergency, your roommate can call an ambulance and possibly be trained to help or treat and overdose.
  • For example, the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene states that clinicians in certain areas “may prescribe take-home naloxone and the equipment associated with administration (i.e. syringes, atomizer) for patients at risk of opioid overdose.” Someone you are living with will be able to administer this medication in the event of an overdose, something you will likely not be able to do yourself.

Living with someone after rehab is a possible alternative to sober housing because many individuals feel safer and more comfortable when they are staying with those they know. Especially if you have friends and relatives who are willing to stay with you for a few months and who are supportive of your recovery, you may choose this alternative to sober housing.

According to the NIDA, “Involvement of a family member or significant other in an individual’s treatment program can strengthen and extend treatment benefits.” This is also true for aftercare. If you have a strong support system of individuals who can devote the time and energy to helping your after rehab, you may want to stay with them.

Other Aftercare Options

Finding a place to stay isn’t the only necessity during aftercare. Once rehab ends, you may decide to attend treatment in another way, one that does not include the need for sober housing.

• Support groups
  • Usually, sober houses encourage residents to attend a support group, but you can do so on your own as well. These programs have been proven to be helpful for those who are out of rehab and living in recovery.
• Individualized counseling 
  • Attending regular counseling sessions is another aftercare alternative where you will not need to stay in sober house. People often attend a few times a week at first and then are able to cut back once they have been progressing for quite a while.
• Outpatient treatment 
  • A way to continue your treatment after inpatient rehab is to attend an outpatient facility. Caregivers at these facilities can often prescribe medication, help you attend group therapy, and even provide you with vocational counseling.

Sober housing is not the only residential option available for those leaving rehab, nor is it the only option that encourages some sort of treatment to residents. Depending on your situation, one of these alternatives may be more suited to your needs.

If you decide on sober living, give us a call for help finding the right situation for you. Get help today at 800-953-3913 (Who Answers?).