Types of Sober Living Programs

There is a lot of data on treatments and other options for drug addiction but not much on aftercare. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, sober housing is a viable option for after care and can help addicts transition from inpatient and controlled environments back into society. There are several types of sober living programs that are helpful for this transition.

Sober Dormitories

Sober dormitories are communal living centers. Much like the military and other organizations that have to house large amounts of people, sober dorms have bunk style living. There are men’s and women’s dorms as well as gender specific sober dorms. People in these dorms get up at the same time and usually take meals together. This is one of the more strict forms of sober housing.

Sober Houses

People in this style of housing live in a normal residence with bedrooms that are shared by one or two residents. This is one of the more standard types of housing. Therapists and workers still provide counseling and other services to members but they are free to seek jobs or go on about their lives. These sober houses are often also used as halfway houses.

Halfway Houses

Most sober living programs require house meeting attendance.

Halfway houses are more suited to transitioning from a mental health facility or corrections. These are usually strictly controlled but still provide the counseling and other services necessary for transitioning into society. The rules of these halfway houses are often far more strict than the other versions of sober housing.

Sober Residences and Apartments

Sober residences and apartments are the least strict of the sober houses. Usually these are communities of apartments or small houses where a recovering addict lives alone or with one or two other residents. They come and go as they please but counseling, educational, and other services are readily available. Many of these small communities work together to build sober living for anyone who needs it.

Locked Residences

Locked residences are houses that people who have severe mental illnesses, dangerous mental illnesses, or come from corrections make the transition to normal living. Although they are called locked residences, they are only locked at certain times of night and are closely monitored by staff. These residences are rare and are usually only used in extreme circumstances. Many locked residences double as other sober living facilities when there is no one who needs to be closely monitored residing in them.

Transitional Housing

Transitional housing is exactly what it says. It is a way to transition into sober living. There are different levels of transitional housing and they are often used for people who are in abusive situations at home. They can recover from both the addiction and the abuse in a safe and sane environment. Most people in transitional housing need housing more than they need to transition into everyday life.

Transitional Living as a Part of Addiction Treatment Aftercare

Where to Find Sober Housing

You can find sober housing in neighborhoods across the country. For more information about them call us at 800-953-3913 (Who Answers?). We can help you find the sober living residence that you need.