It is not easy for someone who has just stopped consuming alcohol or drugs to avoid consuming these things again. After they quit, they need an environment that can support them and avoid them from going back to consume alcohol or drugs again. There is a place called sober living house for them. What is a sober living house actually? Let’s read the explanation about sober living houses below.
Definition of a Sober Living House
A sober living house is a residence which is free from alcohol and drugs with a supportive community and it can help people to maintain their sobriety. We can say that this residence is for people who are recovering from addiction. People who live in this residence commit not to use drugs or alcohol. There are a lot of sober living houses that accept people who are still in recovery from their addiction but they have not completed a rehabilitation program. However, most of them usually have just completed an inpatient or outpatient treatment program.
If people who just quit from their addiction of drugs or alcohol live in this residence, they will be helped to develop new habits and routines where these things were taken from the things that they learned during rehab and then they apply them in their daily life.
While people live there, they will learn new skills, get new insight and even they will be able to shape their new life in recovery and they do it together with other people who also struggle. With the strong support that is provided, people will be helped to navigate the triggers that they face.
People who live there rent rooms. While they live there, they also live their life such as studying and working. In a sober living house, there is no individual or group counselling. Nevertheless, there is structure and support that is needed by them to maintain their sobriety.
The Rules of Living in a Sober Living House
People who live in a sober living house need to obey the rules. One of them is to stay sober. If they consume drugs or alcohol again when they are living in a sober living house, they may be asked to leave the house. Here are a number of rules that must be obeyed by the residents in a sober living house.
- Consuming alcohol and drugs are prohibited.
- They need to obey the curfew that has been set.
- They must respect their housemates and the staff at the house.
- They have to give and get emotional support.
- They have to take part in activities such as support meetings and chores.
- Having pets is prohibited, but it probably depends on the home.
- Having overnight guests is also prohibited.
- They need to sleep at the house at least five nights a week.
- They have to spend their money for their needs in the home.
- If there are random drug and alcohol tests, they need to take part in it.
- They have to attend local 12-step meetings or peer-support groups regularly.
Is it permissible for them to have a cell phone? The rules of having a cell phone may vary from home to home, just like the rules of having pets. Some homes permit the residents to have a cell phone and pets as well, but some other homes limit them to have a cell phone to avoid triggers.
Why are there rules in the house? The rules are set for supporting the process of their recovery, to help keep them safe, and to help them build a sober lifestyle.
This is How a Sober Living House Look Like
A sober living house can be on the campus where the addiction of alcohol and drugs is provided. However, it can also be an independent house, condo, or apartment. How about the number of people in a house? It depends on the size of the house or beds in a facility. Most sober living houses provide shared bedrooms, but some other houses provide individual rooms.
There are usually rules about the spaces and the maintenance, meal times, visitor hours, curfews, and 12-step meeting requirements.
The Length to Stay in a Sober Living House
How long do people stay in a sober living house? It depends on the facility and also their progress in recovery. Some sober living houses offer people to stay there as long as they are in the treatment program, but some other houses allow them to stay there even though they have completed their treatment.
The length of staying in a sober living house is affected by some factors such as the strength of recovery from their addiction, their progress and also the situation of their personal living at home. However, it is recommended to live there for at least three months. If they decide to live there more than that, it can give them more benefits.
A bookworm and researcher especially related to law and citizenship education. I spend time every day in front of the internet and the campus library.
