What is the Purpose of a Sober Living House in Early Recovery?

It’s not hard to understand the benefits of a medical detox or 3-4 weeks in a treatment program. But what is the purpose of a sober living house? The very best drug and alcohol rehabs do much more than simply help you get detoxed and stay sober for a few weeks. Effective, evidence-based treatment means helping you build a foundation for lasting recovery. Recovery is not something you do in a month and then you’re done. It is better thought of as a lifestyle. Adopting a new lifestyle takes time and practice.

Recovery is a Lifestyle

You didn’t use your drug of choice for 28 days and then quit. And, if you or someone you love is asking what is the purpose of a sober living home, then they were likely fully dedicated to drinking and using drugs. For instance, getting high and finding ways to facilitate getting drunk and high was the lifestyle. So, it makes sense then that successful recovery that lasts is also a 24/7 lifestyle that requires at least as much dedication as using did, doesn’t it? Sober living homes are designed to facilitate that and they are proven effective.

Understanding the Purpose of a Sober Living House

After a person completes a medical detox, if needed, and undergoes their initial treatment, they are ready to begin the real work of recovery. The early days of detox and treatment can seem a bit foggy. That time is about stabilization and security more than anything else. It’s rare that anyone is receptive to examining their own behavior patterns, much less learning new ones at that time.

Research has shown that people who spend at least 30 days in treatment and follow up with the second chance sober living provides stay sober longer. The reasons for this aren’t hard to understand. The longer we put new behaviors into practice, the more likely they are to become habits. Sober living homes give us a safe, secure place where it’s easier to do that.

What is the Purpose of a Sober Living House?

• To provide a safe, supportive and stable environment to begin recovery.
• It makes it easier to continue Intensive Outpatient Treatment and Outpatient.
• Provides a place to connect to other people in early recovery for support and fellowship.
• The environment is more comfortable than feeling institutionalized in an inpatient rehab for most.
• May give the person a longer overall treatment experience by combining PHP/IOP and sober living.

Knowing What to Look for in a Good Sober Living Home

If you enter a drug and alcohol rehab, the chances are good that they will refer you to a reputable sober living home. Many programs utilize an alternative model to conventional inpatient treatment that allows patients to attend day treatment at the PHP and/or IOP level  while staying in a sober living. Many people find this helpful as it can lead to a longer overall length of stay. Some also find it more comfortable to live with a bit more independence and outside of an institutionalized environment. What is the purpose of a sober living house? To further your recovery and help you build a solid foundation for it. That it in a nutshell.

Here’s What You Should Look for:

• 24/7 staff on premises.
• Cleanliness and comfort.
• On site laundry facilities and fully equipped kitchens/kitchenettes.
• Certifications and/or licensing. For example, look for FARR or NARR certification.
• A professional relationship with a reputable local rehab center.
• Housing that separates genders in different buildings or locations.
• High standards for who is allowed there and regular random drug testing.
• Enforced curfews and rules about attending treatment, meetings and employment.

Conclusion

If anyone asks you what is the purpose of a sober living house now, we trust you’ll have the answers. At Recovery in Tune, we believe a quality sober living experience is an integral part of building durable recovery that can withstand the test and trials life throws at us. As we said, recovery is a lifestyle, and committing to living a new way takes practice. We believe there’s no better place to get that practice than a safe, supportive environment that approximates “real world” living as much as possible. That’s exactly what a good sober living home is. We encourage you to read more about sober living on our page here. If you have any questions at all about sober living, feel free to contact us. If you or someone you love is struggling with alcohol or drugs, Recovery in Tune can help. Give us at call at (954)-IN-TUNE.