Addiction is a thief. It steals your joy, your sense of normalcy, your resources, your hopes, and, perhaps most importantly, how you look at yourself. Loved ones likely try to help and, while they mean well, it can be challenging for them to understand that what you’re going through is perhaps the most mentally and emotionally draining process a person can endure in life. As you take the steps to heal and become your best self, know that you are not alone in life in recovery.
To keep you on the sober path after completing rehab, a sober living house may be the best option for freedom from your past habits and choices. That brings about the question, what is a sober living house?
Defining a sober living house
A sober living house is a sponsored residence where recovering individuals can choose to go to upon completing rehab. These houses can help you transition back into society without the additional worries about encountering old triggers, influences, or potential pitfalls that could drag you back down into misery.
Life in recovery here is a bit different from a halfway house in that it often has more amenities and provides its residents with a little more privacy. Sober living houses also tend to be a bit more expensive than halfway houses, which are often subsidized by the government.
Sober living houses also have ground rules, of course. You’ll most likely have a curfew, for example.
You’ll also have to sign in and out of the house when you leave and return. You’ll also have to abstain entirely from drugs and alcohol, attend house meetings, and perform chores around the house. This structured way of living in recovery is crucial in helping residents reorient themselves in the real world.
A day in the life in recovery
So, what does living in a sober living house look like?
Every good day starts with making your bed, of course, along with brushing your teeth and having some breakfast. After that, residents attend a morning meeting or counseling session.
In the afternoon, residents can either help out with chores around the house, look for employment, or go to work (if they already have a job). In the evening, guests share a meal and then participate in a support group session before bed.
The beauty of the sober living house structure is that it strikes a balance between professional oversight and personal autonomy. Residents must live under a set of rules without having to worry about staff keeping tabs on them at all times. This growing sense of freedom is a massive incentive for residents to continue on their road to recovery.
What to expect in a sober living house
As a resident, you can also expect a support system that will continue to guide you through this critical transitional phase when out of rehab. Instead of having to contend with the loneliness and possible triggers that come with diving right back into society, residents can lean on the house’s counselors and staff in their more vulnerable moments.
Furthermore, talking with others who are going through their own recovering journey within the same four walls can be enlightening and valuable.
Residents can also expect help in finding a job, rebuilding relationships with family and friends, locating housing, and adjusting to living life in an unstructured environment. It may seem impossible at first, but with the right support, the road to recovery is clear and achievable.