Sober Living Journey Guidance

What Is It Like To Live In A Sober Living Home?

Living in a sober home will be similar to living in rehab, but here, you will continue to work or go to school and have financial independence. You’ll still attend group meetings and have a support system, but you can come and go out of the home whenever you’d like. There still are curfews, a no-tolerance policy toward alcohol and drugs, and other rules in place to ensure that residents can thrive in a positive, encouraging environment.

Sober living is also called a halfway house because you’re halfway done with recovery. It isn’t just sharing a house with rehabilitated roommates. The home provides a less structured, more independent environment than rehab, but offers more guidance than returning home to an unstructured environment. Sober living homes also help their residents succeed by equipping them with invaluable life skills before returning to living independently, such as:

• FINDING A JOB
• FINDING A HOUSE AFTER TREATMENT
• LIVING SOBER AT HOME
• SOCIAL SKILLS
• FIXING FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS
• SUPPORT NETWORK
• MANAGING TRIGGERS
• PURSUING EDUCATION

Sober Living Vs A Halfway House

Sober living homes and halfway houses are both types of residential environments designed to support those in recovery from addiction. While there are similarities between these two types of community, there are also important differences to consider.

Sober living homes are typically designed to provide a supportive and structured environment for those who have already completed a formal addiction treatment program and are working towards independent living while maintaining their sobriety. Sober living homes are generally less strict than halfway houses and allow residents more independence in terms of curfew, visitors, and access to technology. Residents in sober living homes are expected to maintain their sobriety, participate in group meetings, and contribute to household responsibilities while meeting all expenses.

Halfway houses, on the other hand, are typically more structured and may be mandated as part of a court-ordered treatment program. Halfway houses are often reserved for those who have completed a residential treatment program and require additional support and supervision as they transition back into the community. Residents in halfway houses may be subject to more stringent rules, including mandatory curfews and drug testing.

Another key difference between sober living homes and halfway houses is the level of support and services offered. While both types of residential environments may offer access to counseling and support groups, halfway houses may offer more intensive therapy and medical services to address specific mental health needs.

Overall, both sober living homes and halfway houses can provide a supportive and safe environment for individuals in recovery to build a foundation for a healthy and fulfilling life in sobriety. The decision of which type of residential environment is best will depend on your specific needs and circumstances, as well as the level of support and structure you need to maintain your sobriety.

• Finding A Job
• Finding A House After Treatment
• Living Sober At Home
• Social Skills
• Fixing Family Relationships
• Support Network
• Managing Triggers
• Pursuing Education

What Are The Benefits Of Sober Living?

Positive Environment

Many people recovering from drug addiction or alcoholism reassess their closest relationships and friendships, often finding that many relationships were grounded on substance abuse. By continuing your recovery process at a sober living home, you’ll surround yourself with peers committed to sobriety and embracing sober living. Enjoy the support, accountability, and positivity of peers when navigating this challenging transitional phase of your recovery at a sober living home.

Supportive Care

Many of those in the early phase of recovery find it challenging to move from the structured environment of residential rehab directly into independent living. At a sober living home, you can benefit from a house manager who will oversee operations, and you can count on other residents for help as you move toward independent sober living at home.

Credentialed Staff

The staff employed by sober living communities will be vetted and credentialed, giving you the confidence of a robust support system. Staff at sober living communities may also provide connections to other licensed and accredited professionals relevant to your recovery journey.

Lower Risk Of Relapse

By choosing to pursue a challenging transitional phase of recovery at a sober living home, you may minimize the likelihood of relapse derailing your recovery before it gets traction. Addiction is a chronic and relapsing brain disorder with relapse rates of between 40% and 60% similar to the relapse rates of other chronic health conditions. Boost your chances of sustained sobriety by reaching out to Gratitude Lodge for sober living in California.

How Long Do You Stay In Sober Living

The average stay in a sober living home is 90 days, but arrangements can be made for a longer stay. If you think you may have trouble staying sober in your own home environment after rehab, or your family has a negative attitude toward your recovery, a sober living or halfway house is a great solution to help you stay on track. In a sober living house environment, professionals are available to help you navigate major changes in your new life. They can also help you determine what length of stay is the right one for you.

As long as you are actively pursuing your recovery in some way, abiding by community rules, and paying all dues, you should be free to remain in a sober living community for as long as necessary. Everyone has a unique experience of recovery from drug addiction or alcoholism, and the best sober living communities account for this with a flexible approach.

Are Sober Living Homes Covered By Insurance?

Most sober living homes require residents to pay their own rent and do chores. With some exceptions, sober living homes usually aren’t eligible for insurance coverage because they’re not considered a treatment facility by the government. This is because sober living homes don’t offer treatment as rehab facilities do. While this seems like a disadvantage, paying rent can help a resident continue responsible financial habits.

However, outpatient rehab that you may attend during your time in a sober living home may be covered by insurance. Some insurance policies may limit your care providers or may want you to contribute to the cost. The cost depends on your insurance policy deductible and your policy co-pay. Most treatment facilities can help determine if your insurance is eligible for outpatient rehab.

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California Sober Living

Sober living in California has become an increasingly popular option for individuals in recovery from addiction. Sober living environments in California are typically designed to provide a supportive and structured space for individuals in recovery to transition back into independent living while actively maintaining their sobriety.

California sober living homes may offer a range of services and amenities, including:

• Access to individual and group counseling services
• Connection to 12-step programs and other recovery support groups
• Educational services
• Vocational development
• Assistance with employment

Some sober living communities in California may also offer specialized programs for those with co-occurring mental health disorders or other unique needs.

In addition to these services, sober living homes in California may help those in recovery from drug addiction or alcoholism to form supportive and meaningful relationships with peers in recovery, as well as access to fun sober activities and resources that promote wellness and personal growth.

Additionally, most sober living communities in California are located in areas with easy access to nature, helping you to embrace sober living in California, thriving rather than merely surviving.

Note: The term California sober living refers to a specific type of sober living environment that is prevalent in California and has become popular elsewhere in the world. The concept of California sober living is that individuals in recovery from addiction can live a sober lifestyle while still being allowed to use marijuana in a responsible and controlled manner in states where the use of marijuana is legalized. If you have developed an addiction to marijuana, reach out to Gratitude Lodge in Southern California for evidence-based treatment.

CALIFORNIA SOBER LIVING FAQS

If you are interested in exploring sober living in California, see if you can find what you’re looking for with the most frequently asked questions we receive here at Gratitude Lodge in Southern California.