Alcohol is the most commonly used addictive substance in the United States, and although not everyone who drinks has a dependency, it happens often.

After being dependent on something for so long, rehabilitation is the best next step. Once you get through rehab, going back to the same lifestyle is not ideal.

To ensure you maintain sobriety, consider joining a sober living community. Keep reading to learn how to choose sober living houses based on your needs.

Consider Location

When choosing sober living houses, the location of the home is important. This area will become the base for all of your daily activities.

Consider the following to help you decide on a sober living home location:

  • Safe neighborhood
  • Town population
  • Local economy and job market
  • Closeness to work or school

If you have recovery meetings at a facility, you’ll want to ensure the sober living home is near that place.

Make sure you can easily get to meetings, grocery stores, laundromats, etc. Public transportation is something to consider if you are without a car as well.

Relocating to a new city to live in a sober home is a big step so you’ll want to make all of these considerations to help you make a final decision. Moving elsewhere can provide you with a brand new start.

Research Different Sober Living Houses

One sober living environment might be different from another, so you will need to do your research to ensure the one you choose provides the recovery you need.

Some sober living homes are regulated or monitored by the state, but most of them are not. Look for these elements as signs of a high-quality sober living facility:

  • Licensing and/or accreditation
  • Strict no-tolerance policy for drugs and alcohol
  • Clear residency rules
  • Clean and sound living spaces
  • Recovery support services

Sober housing facilities that provide a high standard of care might be backed by well-known organizations like the National Alliance for Recovery Residences (NARR).

A sober living home with strict and clear rules will keep you accountable for your behavior. It is also beneficial to find a clean living space that can help in the early stages of recovery especially.

Inpatient rehab services at a sober living facility can help those who intend to stay sober in the long run. Sobriety maintenance services might include the following:

  • Drug testing
  • Employment assistance
  • Certified peer recovery programs
  • Volunteer placement
  • Educational planning
  • Access to IOP

The best way to determine if a sober living home meets your criteria is to search their website, check local listings, and read client reviews. You can also talk to the staff to get any questions you have answered.

Visit the Sober Living Home

If you find a sober living house you are interested in based on your research, visit them to make sure. You might want to visit more than one sober living home to get a better idea of which is right for your needs.

During your visit, talk to management about the requirements, rules, and resident expectations. Do this before making a decision because you might not be able to back out once you enroll.

If you aren’t sure what to ask while you visit, here are some questions to consider getting answers to:

  • Do you provide sober coaches and one-on-one accountability?
  • Do residents participate in recovery programs or group meetings?
  • Is random drug testing part of the process?
  • What is the visitor policy?
  • Is there a policy on prescription medications?
  • What activities are planned for the residents?

These things can have a lasting impact on your ability to get sober and maintain sobriety once you no longer live in a sober home.

Visiting the sober living facility will also allow you the chance to get to know the staff. The staff plays a huge role in the success and happiness of residents so it’s important that you are comfortable with them.

Find out who is on the staff, what qualifications they have, and note how they interact with residents.

Compare Costs

For something as important as getting sober, you won’t want to choose the least expensive facility. However, it’s important to know that you can afford to live in a certain sober living home.

Sober living homes vary in what they charge and cover. Most programs require monthly fees for room and board. In some facilities, you’ll need to plan to cover expenses for your own hygiene products, food, and transportation.

If you enroll in IOP or attend clinical sessions, your health insurance might cover some of the costs. Confirm that a sober living home accepts your insurance before you enroll.

Sober living home staff can answer further questions about the cost of living in a sober home. Some offer financial assistance for those who need it.

If you completed rehab at an addiction treatment center, the staff there can recommend sober living homes based on your financial ability and insurance coverage.

Watch Out for Red Flags

During your search, there are several red flags to watch out for and be aware of. Knowing these recovery home red flags can prevent you from enrolling in a facility that doesn’t provide the care you need.

These are some of the red flags to know:

  • Dirty or rundown homes
  • No regulatory inspections
  • No admission requirements
  • Claims to be free
  • No resident rules
  • No qualified staff
  • Does not require drug testing

If you run into options that demonstrate even one of these red flags, it’s likely not a good choice for you.

Choose the Right Sober Living Home for You

Every individual has different needs when it comes to sober living. However, this guide outlines all of the things that every recovering individual should consider when choosing sober living houses.

Think about the location of the home, research different facilities, visit the home, compare costs, and look out for red flags. When you take all of these steps, you’ll find the best home for your journey.

To begin your search, use Taste Recovery’s free tool. Click here to get started.