What It Is Like Living in a Sober House: A Complete Guide

Prices vary for staying in halfway houses, but most of the time it costs about the same as it would cost to live in a modest apartment or home. Residents have to pay rent on time, but they do not have to pay first and last month’s rent. Although most sober living homes do not restrict who may apply to live there, the majority of residents have completed a substance abuse rehabilitation program prior to moving in. While some may be hungry to integrate back into society after a stint in a treatment program, there is an expectation that you will remain an active participant in the home and follow its rules. Some sober living houses may be placed in neighborhoods with high crime rates.

Be sure to measure the amount you are bringing in against possible rent costs. While these factors provide guidance, it’s important to remember that deciding when to leave should not be a decision made in haste or isolation. Consulting with your support network, including therapists and staff at the sober living home, can provide valuable insight into whether you’re ready to move on to the next phase of your recovery journey. Sober living homes may or may not be accredited or licensed through a state, local, or national agency.

Rules & Regulations of a Sober Living House

Research on sober living houses also states that residents experience a higher possibility of securing employment and a lower likelihood of getting arrested. Going to a sober living house has been proven to support sobriety efforts, with results ranging from a decreased amount of relapses sober house to long-term sobriety. Suppose you’ve recently relapsed and found that the stress of being in environments around alcohol and drugs or a lack of structure is particularly triggering. Most residents of these homes have recently completed an inpatient or outpatient treatment program.

  • Sober living homes are often the last transition before returning home, and staying in residence for a longer period of time may improve the foundation for long-term recovery.
  • If you or your loved one needs to go to a sober living facility, contact your local healthcare professional or medical professional for a referral.
  • Many people choose to attend 28-or 30-day, 60-day or 90-day inpatient treatment programs before entering sober living environments.

Before leaving, it’s important to discuss options with your treatment team to assess your progress and readiness for entry back to independent living. There is a wide variety of options available, including apartment style and dorm rooms. Rooms may be individual or shared with a roommate, and common spaces, like the kitchen, living room, and backyard, are shared by everyone living in the home.

What are the Duties and Responsibilities of Halfway Houses?

We publish material that is researched, cited, edited and reviewed by licensed medical professionals. The information we provide is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. It should not be used in place of the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare providers. On a core level, sober housing is simply housing that is drug and alcohol free at all times.

  • Part of the residency requirements to live in a sober living house is maintaining one’s sobriety.
  • Sober living homes are typically located in secure, serene neighborhoods to provide a stable housing environment.
  • These may include financial constraints, adherence to house rules, and occasional conflicts with other residents.
  • Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) originated in the 1930s and provided the steppingstones for sober housing by requiring strict sobriety, participation in the community, peer support, and a 12-step program.
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  • In the late 1940s, some AA members decided to fill this pressing need by acquiring low-cost housing that required strict sobriety and encouraged residents to attend AA meetings.
  • Substance use treatment providers may offer oversight in some instances, although this is not always the case.