Sober living homes serve as the transition point for people leaving recovery and moving back into everyday life. It’s the best option for people that are ready to leave treatment or have graduated from their programs but they’re not fully ready to immerse themselves into everyday life.
It’s for this reason you need to carefully consider certain factors when you’re looking into sober livings after completing your rehabilitation program. If you’re here congratulations on making your way through treatment and taking your recovery seriously.
Now that you’re at the end read on to find out what you need to look for in the right sober housing for you.
Location Matters
When you begin the initial search for sober group homes the first thing to consider is the location of the home. The location of the place you choose to live matters because you don’t want to live in an area that serves as a trigger for you, especially not when you’re fresh out of treatment.
Another reason to consider the location where the sober housing is offered is that you need to be close to activities that have become a daily part of your routine. Are you near recovery meetings?
Are you able to get to and from work without having any problems? How close are you to your support network?
Not being close to all these things and more can create more stress than you need during this crucial part of your recovery journey. For example, if you find yourself in a moment of weakness and need someone to talk to are you able to access a meeting or person that can speak with you until you’ve got your emotions under control?
Balanced Staff to Resident Ratio
Sober housing comes in all forms but one thing for certain is there shouldn’t be more residents than there are staff members. If there aren’t enough staff to cover the number of residents living in the sober living home, it means someone isn’t getting the support they need.
Not only does there need to be adequate staff to cover the number of residents present in the home they need to have proper training. Not having the proper training means the staff working within a sober living home does not have the techniques needed to handle situations that will arise.
This puts yourself and other people living within the sober living home at risk and can compromise your sobriety.
Duration of Stay
Much like when you’re in recovery treatment there’s a predetermined end date for everyone. The reason it’s important to understand when you must move out is so you can prepare yourself or make other arrangements when the day comes.
Sober living isn’t a permanent option. It’s there for you to receive continued structure until you’re able to begin living on your own.
While some sober living homes don’t dictate the length of time you live there, others have a strict length of time written into the contracts. There might also be specific guidelines that you must meet to continue living in the sober living home.
Remember everyone’s recovery is different and you might not have to stay in a sober living home as long as somebody else. Or if you find you’ve got to be there longer, but others don’t, there’s a reason.
Never compare your recovery journey to someone else’s because they aren’t and will never be the same. Therefore, the same steps needed before transitioning back into daily life won’t be the same.
Who Are Your Housemates
Sober group homes differ in what they allow including the type of residents that can live there. The diversity of the residents is a direct representation of the philosophy or culture the sober living home follows.
It’s best if you take the time to get a feel for the people you’ll be living with because every environment is not suitable for you to live in. The different types of demographics you might find in a sober living house include:
- LGBTQ or alternative lifestyle
- Gender specific
- Specialization in co-occurring disorders
If you’re unsure of the demographic offered by a certain house the best thing to do is tour the property. This will allow you to get a vibe for the home and helps you determine if you want to continue living there.
Cost
Sober housing isn’t free, and you need to understand how much it will cost before moving in. There are a considerable number of sober living options that are cost-effective but remember you do get what you pay for therefore cheaper isn’t always better.
Several factors may increase or decrease the cost of sober living homes like the amenities offered. Another factor that could change the cost is the structure of the home and management.
Review House Policies
If a sober living house isn’t an alcohol-free home, it’s not the place for you to live. Most homes operate with a series of rules and policies in place to promote a recovery-friendly atmosphere.
The most well-known rule is that residents are not allowed to use any substances or consume alcohol. They’re also not permitted to bring it into the home at any time.
Other rules might include not having access to a cellphone for a significant period or not being allowed to have visitors. The rules are in place to give you the structure you need to continue working on your recovery.
Sober Livings: Finding the Right Living Situation for You
When it comes to sober livings there are several things you need to consider. Don’t overlook the area a home is in and always consider the cost of living there.
Are you ready to start the next chapter in your life? Access the resources provided by Taste Recovery today or register today.
