Addiction recovery is a process that requires the help of qualified professionals. Learn about Ohio sober living benefits in this useful guide.

 

According to recent data, over 21 million Americans have some type of addiction, and only 10% of them will seek treatment. Even for that 10%, there’s still a glaring issue; what do they do when they leave treatment? Can you really attend treatment for a few weeks and be ready for a lifetime of sober living?

Well, that’s where sober living homes come in, and they might be right for you. Let’s talk about the benefits of Ohio sober living to get you the right help for your situation.

What Is Sober Living?

Sober living homes are safe environments where you pay to live like any other apartment. The difference is that the house is strictly substance-free. People live among other recently sober individuals on their journey to recovery.

Typically, these homes are used for people who have recently completed a stay at a rehabilitation facility, are recently sober, and are looking to transition into a sober life. This is why sober living homes are often called “halfway houses”. People use them as a safe transition to living a sober life on their own terms but still need the extra control.

In most cases, people living in the facility will pay rent weekly or monthly and perform regular duties and chores around the house in exchange for a safe, controlled home environment without the risk of relapse.

Benefits Of Sober Living Homes

Sober living homes play an important role in the journey toward sobriety but are still often overlooked. While there are too many benefits to count, let’s talk about some of the major benefits of sober living.

1. They Are Cost-Effective

Rehab is known for being expensive for those who don’t have insurance. However, sober living homes are no more expensive than renting a room in an apartment, because that’s what you’re doing. You’ll be doing chores and paying rent just like it’s your own apartment that you share with some friends.

If you have an apartment or room already and you sublet it during your stay, staying in a sober living house won’t affect your wallet at all. For the benefit you’re getting, the cost is worth every penny.

2. There’s No Maximum Stay

You can live in these homes for as long as you feel you need. As long as you don’t violate any major house rules, you will be welcome to stay in the home until you feel you are comfortable and ready to restart your life on your own.

Everybody operates differently from one another, especially in recovery. You can learn how to transition into your new life at your own pace without any pressure or risk to take any leaps you aren’t yet ready to take.

3. Make Sober Companions

One of the hardest parts about maintaining abstinence into recovery is being around people who use drugs or alcohol. Finding sober friends is a very difficult challenge in a society with substances nearly everywhere you look, but it’s also very important to recovery.

However, in a sober living home, sober companions are the people you will be spending the majority of your time with. This can fast-track the process of forming these relationships that you can carry back into your sober life and beyond.

4. Learn New Hobbies

During this period, you’ll likely be working at a job and attending meetings. However, during your free time, you will be around people with a wide variety of backgrounds, and you’ll be encouraged to try new things. Who knows? You may find the hobby or skill that you carry with you for the rest of your life.

Hobbies are one of the most important tools sober people can use to give them a more positive outlook on life and keep themselves occupied with healthier habits.

5. Access To Help

Again, sober living is the halfway point on your journey. You will still have access to help when you need it but not entirely at the level of inpatient rehab. However, you’ll have access to a 12-step program and other support systems. Many programs will be able to refer you to therapy programs and other assistance as you need it.

You’ll also have guidance and support on-demand at your home with peers who understand what you’re going through and an on-site manager who is available throughout the day.

6. Time To Focus On Yourself

If you’re on your own, you’re focused on a job, social life, exercise routine, attending meetings, working on your hobbies, and so much more. When you have people around you at home who are trying to do better, it fills a lot of those needs for you and gives you the time and motivation to focus on self-improvement.

Use the time you’re spending to transition into a new life to learn what will help you the best. Spend time trying to learn your passions or hobbies, or even figure out a new career path. Remember, your future is in your hands only!

7. A Smoother Transition

Whether you stay in a sober living house for one month or 10 years, you’ll have a more gentle and peaceful transition to your new life after rehab, away from potential relapse triggers. You’ll still be able to see your loved ones and you’ll still be able to have a life, but it will be a lot safer and easier to transition.

Staying sober is not an easy task, and it’s no wonder why 40% to 60% of addicts who receive treatment succumb to at least one relapse. Having a slower and safer transition is the best way to prepare for the challenges ahead.

8. Independent Living

While you still have people around you, you will get the sense that you are in your own home. You will still get a lot of the benefits of living in your own space with the added benefit of minimizing the risk of relapsing.

While certain responsibilities will be expected of you, you won’t be harassed or treated like a child. You will be treated with the respect and understanding that you both need and deserve, and you’ll be allowed to carry on with your own independent track. Interactions will be voluntary.

9. Healthy Choices

The most important thing to take away from treatment is making healthier decisions overall. Since you will be surrounded by people with similar goals and often more experience with sober living, they will be able to steer you toward making healthier choices. This could include exercise routines, diet choices, and more.

Do you want to lose weight? Do you want to try running a marathon? Do you want to learn to cook healthy and delicious meals? These are some of the habits you could take away from a sober living home.

10. A Fresh Start

Now that the detox process is over, you’re beginning the much longer journey of maintaining abstinence, but don’t think about it like that. Think of it as the new beginning to a story you’re writing. You’re in control.

For many who have struggled with addiction, the start of a new chapter is exactly what they need. If you enter a sober living home, that’s exactly what you’ll be getting.

How To Get Into An Ohio Sober Living Home

If you’re looking for a safe transition back into your life or the life of a loved one, take a look at some sober living in Columbus, Ohio, or search for other areas closer to you.

Getting into a home is easy. Once you’ve found the location, contact the manager and ask about vacancies, requirements, and how to get in. You may want to tour the place first and see if it’s the right fit for you or your loved one.

Once you’ve found the place, fill out an application and review the terms of the stay. Most places are month to month and the lease can be terminated immediately if rules are violated, especially if a drug test is failed, parole is violated, or if substances are brought into the home.

Different places will have different rules involving chores, responsibilities, noise, and other policies regarding living situations and the common areas.

Start Your Journey

Now that you know more about Ohio sober living facilities, there’s no time to wait. Detox may be over, but you have a long road ahead of you, so it’s best to have all the tools you can get. If you’re looking for a sober living home in your area, check out our directory and find the program that’s right for you!