Sober Living Benefits Recovery

Introduction

Sober living benefits recovery.

Sounds too good to be true? No.

The benefits for recovery and healing that are invaluable during this transitional period between rehab and getting back to the thrust of everyday life can not be understated.

Environments that promote abstinence, which are crucial when leaving a rehab centre, allow continued healing and recovery. This is crucial during this phase.

Going home, immediately post-treatment, may not be the best fit.

Clearly, someone cannot stay away from their home forever. Avoiding the everyday stresses and strains is a false reality. However, for some, an intermediate transition from rehab to home via a “step down” environment can be incredibly powerful.

This is where sober living houses come in.

What is sober living?

Sober living is an environment free from drink and drugs, shared with peers and staffed by those with lived experience where everyone has been in rehab and is committed to abstinence.

They provide an environment which is free of alcohol and drugs, where there is structure and group support.

Using the tools and techniques learned in rehab, the person in recovery can bolster these with the structure and support of a sober living home.

It is advisable, where possible, for someone to transition directly from rehab to a sober living home, at the end of treatment to maximize the benefits for recovery and healing.  

If you are looking for a sober living home after leaving a rehab centre UK, call and speak with a clinician here at Find me a Rehab. Our clinicians provide 24-hour addiction help as well as drug misuse advice UK.

Is it expensive? 

Sober houses are sometimes provided by third sector organisations, as well as charities. Others are privately owned. It is certainly far less expensive than rehab but cannot be used for detox.  

Sober living benefits recovery :Who are sober living houses for?

As sober homes cater for those in recovery, the emphasis is about promoting self-care, taking responsibility for healing and supporting others while benefitting from peer support.

Certainly, there is a lower level of supervision and residents will feel far less restricted than when in a rehab centre but will find benefits for recovery and healing during their stay.

Sober living can help anyone in recovery from addiction, regardless of age, occupation, social standing.

In the UK, currently, Sober housing is somewhat underutilised and when most people think of addiction treatment they think of residential treatment or outpatients.

While there are those with a religious element, not all follow this model so those without faith, or those with faith who do not see it as central to their recovery, can also benefit from sober living.  

What can I expect from going into a sober living home?

Those going into rehab, due to their addiction, can be leading a very chaotic existence.

On the surface, all may seem well, but underneath things can be very different.

Someone, in the depths of active addiction, are accountable to one thing: Their addiction, everything else goes out the window.

One of the key benefits of sober living is building structure and accountability, aiding in benefits for recovery and healing. There are therapy sessions and peer group meetings.  

The aim of sober living is to build on the tools gained in rehab: coping mechanisms that will help them confront triggering situations.

While there are behavioral contracts in place, and groups to attend, residents can come and go, freely.    

Sober living benefits recovery :Are they all 12 steps based?  

Most sober living homes in the UK do follow a 12-step format, though not all.

Whatever step you leave residential treatment at can be picked up at a sober living home: The same goes for SMART graduates.

Residents can form lifelong bonds with likeminded people which can be very empowering, aiding in benefits for recovery and healing.

The environment is 100% substance free and regular testing is usually part of the behavioral contract that you enter when going onto a sober living home.

Most are single sex which can also be an important element in Sober living: Benefits for recovery and healing.  

Are there any specific requirements for potential residents?

Clearly, the most important requirement is that someone in sober living is abstinent: This is non-negotiable.

Overnight guests are also not allowed.

Residents, as part of their contract, must attend group meetings and consent to sporadic/random drug and alcohol testing.   

Can I go to work, College, Visit family when in sober living?

Getting back into the structure of work, study and family commitments can be a challenge.

The timetable of sober living can allow residents, in a lot of situations, to go to work, university and attend to family matters.

Others need support and guidance on getting back into work or undertaking further education: Sober living can help with this as well, providing numerous benefits for recovery and healing.  

Do I get my own room?

That depends on the individual sober home.

There are some common shared spaces such as kitchen and laundry facilities.

Living with others in sober living may be the first time someone has lived in a group setting, but the power of the group can be transformative.  

Does sober living really help with long term recovery?

There are various studies on the effectiveness of both rehab and sober living.

While most point to 11 out of one hundred people staying abstinent at a six-month marker after rehab, nearly 70 out of the same one hundred would be sober at six months if in sober living.

Our clinicians provide 24-hour addiction help to anyone leaving a rehab centre UK. Our advice is free, impartial and confidential. Sober living benefits recovery. Call us to find out more.

How can Find Me a Rehab help?

We are addictions clinicians.

Each of us has decades of experience assessing, diagnosing, prescribing for and treating people overcoming addiction.

As we are not tied to any particular centre, our advice is impartial as well as being free and confidential.

We only signpost to legally registered services.

Get help today

Call, email or live chat with an experienced addictions clinician on any aspect of addiction, detox, home treatment, rehab, therapy, relapse prevention and aftercare.

We can advise on treatment plans, treatment options, locations, costings and locations.

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