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Should I Go To Sober Living After Rehab?

Rehab is usually considered the first step of the recovery process. Addiction treatment centers in West Palm Beach can help you detox, uncover the reasons for your substance abuse, and arm you with coping skills and resources to help you stay sober. But what should you do after finishing rehab? One popular option among people in recovery is to go to sober living.

Researchers have found that a major obstacle to sustained abstinence for people in recovery is a lack of access to a stable, supportive, and sober living environment.[1] This is because destructive living environments, homes with frequent substance abuse, or housing that isn’t supportive of a sober lifestyle can seriously derail the recovery process.

Like treatment, recovery does not take a one-size-fits-all approach. Sober living homes may not be right for everyone. If you are wondering if you should go to sober living after rehab, we may be able to help you make up your mind.

What is Sober Living?

Sober living homes are drug and alcohol-free living environments that are reserved for people who have completed a treatment or detox program and are trying to stay sober. While they do not provide any formal counseling or services, they do help support individuals in early recovery by helping them establish a structured and healthy lifestyle.

Most sober living homes have live-in house managers who enforce the rules of the home. All residents are expected to pay rent, work a job, come home by curfew, keep their space clean, and stay sober. House managers administer regular drug tests to make sure all residents are being honest about their sobriety.

Some sober homes in West Palm Beach operate in unison with addiction treatment centers. These homes usually only admit residents who have completed rehab at a certain treatment facility. However, the vast majority of sober living homes operate independently and have requirements individuals must meet before moving into the home.

Most sober living homes require you to:

  • Previously complete a drug and alcohol rehab program
  • Provide a negative urine sample
  • Have a job or be actively looking for employment
  • Attend 12-Step meetings on a regular basis

These homes can help provide a safe environment for people in recovery who otherwise would not have a safe living environment to return to after rehab. They provide immense social support and structure to help people in recovery succeed.

What Are The Benefits of Sober Living After Rehab?

During treatment, you may notice that your therapist and the clinical team frequently refer discharged patients to sober living homes. These homes help ease the transition from inpatient rehab back to real life and independent living. However, there are many additional benefits of going to stay at a sober living home after rehab, including:

  • Living with other newly sober people can provide you with peer support and companionship among like-minded people
  • Helping you develop a structured routine and healthy lifestyle habits
  • Holding you accountable to your sobriety by mandating randomized drug tests
  • Providing housing to people who would struggle finding other housing such as felons, people with poor credit scores, or no savings
  • Facilitating 12-Step fellowship and involvement after rehab

Studies have found that people who go to sober living after finishing rehab experience fewer relapses and an easier time maintaining employment when compared to their counterparts.[1]

Who Should Go To Sober Living After Rehab?

Anyone who completes a drug and alcohol rehab program in West Palm Beach can benefit from going to sober living. If you are concerned that returning to your hometown or your neighborhood after rehab will result in a relapse, sober living may be a great option. Sober living homes are often located in safe, residential neighborhoods and they can separate you from your old triggers. This will allow you to take your time in adjusting to sobriety and learning how to cope without forcing you back into a familiar setting.

Another reason you may consider sober living is for the support system these homes provide. If you live alone, don’t have family nearby, or live with people who abuse substances, staying in a sober living is a good idea. Sober homes can provide you with the sober support system that your usual living environment is lacking.

More reasons to consider living in a sober home include:

  • Sober homes don’t require a credit check. If you have poor credit, a sober home will provide you with housing while you get sober and start building your credit and saving for your own place.
  • If you are required to pay a deposit, it will be much smaller than what is required for moving into a rental property. Some sober homes don’t require a deposit at all, so this is a great option if you don’t have very much money saved up.
  • Sober homes won’t judge you if you are a felon. It can be hard to find a rental, especially with no prior rental history, if you are a felon. A sober home can help felons get back on their feet.
  • If you are nervous about leaving rehab and feel like being on your own is a recipe for disaster, you are not alone. Leaving rehab is hard, but sober homes can help.

Find a Sober Living in West Palm Beach

At Mandala Healing Center, we know that recovery is a life-long process. While our treatment programs can help you get sober, sober living homes can provide additional support to you after you leave rehab. That’s why our clinical team works closely with some of the most highly-rated sober living homes in West Palm Beach. Whether you are looking for a sober home or have yet to start your recovery journey, give us a call today.

References:

  1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3057870/