Are you recovering from substance abuse and ready to resume your old life?
Choosing to become sober is admirable, but you may be concerned about relapsing once you’re back on your own. You may be curious to know what you can do to ensure you have all the support you need while readjusting to independent living.
Sober living homes, also called halfway houses, can offer you the resources and support you require to remain sober as you gradually return to your old life.
Read on for 11 advantages of living in a sober living home.
1. Easier Transition Back to Normal Life
Recovery is not an event but a process. It does not end with rehab or detox but requires ongoing commitment.
Sober living homes act as a bridge between treatment and day-to-day life. You’ll have a chance to get back to mainstream life without feeling overwhelmed.
Such homes are designed for those in outpatient treatment or undergoing recovery. They offer an ideal place for residents to come to every day. It is easy to adjust their life without the formal and often overly restrictive care found in a treatment setting.
Once you leave an addiction treatment center, joining a sober home will help you heal. They offer responsibilities and daily chores to residents. You’ll have less time to think about cravings.
Reputable homes provide residents with a chance to experience real life. They hold social gatherings regularly to help them keep a positive attitude.
2. Reduce the Risk of Relapse
The main goal of living in a sober living home is to get a supportive and safe place to recover. No drugs or alcohol are allowed in these homes. Staying away from pressures in your local area helps reduce the chance of a relapse.
There are strict rules that need to be followed to increase your chance of remaining sober. You will be able to focus more on yourself. There is no temptation of hanging around old spots and friends who use drugs.
Studies show that people who relapse while in recovery have less tissue on the part of their brain that is responsible for regulating emotions and behavior control. As a result, it becomes hard to ignore cravings or temptation during the early stages of recovery.
Sober homes work hard to eliminate triggers that may cause temptation or cravings. Given that no drugs or alcohol are allowed, there is a high chance of staying sober.
3. Guidance and Support When Needed
During recovery, you need to be close to those who support your journey to sobriety. A sober living house is a built-in structure with less pressure from the outside. This will help you to relearn how to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
Members of staff and on-site managers are available around the clock. They will give you guidance and support as needed.
Also, they will help you deal with issues that come up during recovery. They include a hard time finding a job, difficult cravings, and down emotions.
Sober living homes connect with alumni and treatment facilities equipped with support staff. These people will give you the advice that you need most.
Most importantly, they follow strict rules to keep everyone sober, healthy, and happy. Such guidelines help to keep a consistent environment.
4. Recovery Programs
Residents in sober living homes take part in recovery programs. They attend meetings each week to reinforce sobriety plans. Those in attendance are people who share similar values (overcoming addiction).
Recovery programs provide the emotional support needed in sobriety. During the day, some residents attend outpatient recovery programs. It’s necessary when transitioning from inpatient programs.
Addiction is usually accompanied by psychological changes that affect thoughts, behaviors, and feelings. These changes may persist long after the substance has been eliminated from the body.
That’s why recovery programs are essential. They help deal with situations that could lead to a high chance of relapse.
5. Independence
Staying in a sober living home brings newfound independence. As you move forward on your sobriety journey, you will start living a normal life. You’ll have the desire to start looking for a job.
Also, you will make new friends with those who support your recovery. A sober and safe environment will make your life better. You will have the freedom of choice and the ability to make responsible decisions.
So, you’ll be living in an environment with plenty of assistance and free from triggers. Sober housing offers the stability and structure needed to be more independent.
6. Accountability
As stated earlier, residents in sober living homes must follow the rules. The guidelines provide uniformity among the residents. It also teaches them to be accountable for their actions.
People with substance use disorder are used to doing what they please and following the will of their addiction. They are not accustomed to following rules.
Being responsible and accountable for your actions is part of the recovery process. It’s all about healthy living and doing good for yourself and the community.
The rules may include paying rent, taking part in house chores, and observing curfew. They encourage residents to be productive and responsible for their behaviors and actions.
7. Forge Meaningful Sober Relationships
While on your sobriety journey, you will have to re-evaluate your relationships. Friendships based on substance use are not healthy for your recovery. A sober living home consists of individuals on a similar journey.
You’ll be around people who are committed to change. They understand the feeling of helplessness and cravings. This gives you hope to continue with your sobriety plans.
You will form a strong bond while there with like-minded individuals. Once you get back to everyday life, you will not be lonely or isolated. You will have formed friendships with those holding on to sobriety.
8. Restored Life Skills
After completing the rehab program, the next step is acquiring life skills. These skills will help you build a new life free from alcohol and drugs.
A sober living home will help you to manage the stressors of life. The lifestyle and environment support your sobriety journey as well. There you will learn how to abstain from alcohol and drug use.
You will also know how to manage emotional issues and maintain a healthy lifestyle. You must take part in meaningful activities every day. This includes going to work, participating in group activities, or volunteering.
9. Gain Useful Tools to Help You in the Future
During your stay in a sober living home, you will learn a lot from the experiences of others. These experiences will help build a meaningful future for you. They are stepping stones to living a healthy, sober life.
The sobriety journey is not easy. For that reason, you need to have a strong support system during recovery.
Attending activities, therapy, and classes in sober housing helps you make good decisions. The more support and care you get, the higher your chances of a successful recovery.
The rules enforced in sober housing help to re-establish a routine. Transitional recovery will help you lead a more stable lifestyle. Sober housing offers structured support and independence needed to promote life skill development.
10. Lowest Potential of Family Issues
After completing substance abuse treatment, the next step is to go to sober living homes. They are transitional residences that offer a supportive network before returning home. Going back home may cause family issues as one is not ready to deal with the stressors of everyday life.
A sober living home will help you work more on self-reliance skills taught in treatment. It’s also an advantage for those who don’t have a strong support system at home.
When you’re ready to go home, there will be less likelihood of having family issues. You will have already adjusted to regular life.
11. Limit Temptations and Distractions
Residing in a sober living home helps you stay out of risky situations. Returning home immediately from rehab increases the likelihood of hanging around addicts.
To avoid your old hangouts, consider staying in sober housing. Surrounding yourself with like-minded who focus on recovery means fewer temptations and destructions.
These homes have a structured environment that helps individuals to establish healthier routines. Your recovery journey will be a lot smoother.
Choose the Best Sober Living Home for Your Needs
Residing in a sober home has many benefits. Research to identify the best one for your needs.
Identify sober housing with appropriate recovery programs for you to benefit most. Keep in mind that the sober living home you choose will impact your recovery process.
Here at Test Recovery, we will share with you sober living benefits to aid in addiction recovery. We offer useful resources to help you identify the best sober housing.
Contact us to know more about our services.
