After completing rehab or a formal treatment program, many people find it difficult to jump back into daily life with its responsibilities and potential triggers. Sober living homes can help provide structure and support. These homes give residents the freedom to live independently but without access to old drug-using friends or other environmental relapse triggers. They also offer supportive environments and life skills training.

Support

Sober living homes allow people to continue treatment in an outpatient setting while returning to work, school or family responsibilities. They provide a supportive environment and a community of sober friends while helping to reinforce the skills learned in recovery programs. SLH residents are typically required to attend meetings, be home by a certain curfew and may also be subject to drug testing.

SLHs are private homes owned by individuals or nonprofit organizations, and they often include communal spaces like kitchens and living rooms. The homes are generally located in residential neighborhoods and offer support groups, life skills training and peer-to-peer recovery coaching. Unlike treatment centers, they do not offer clinical addiction services. However, they do encourage their residents to engage in ongoing outpatient treatment and to regularly attend recovery-based groups. They also require their residents to sleep at the house most nights and to agree to a curfew. SLHs are an affordable alternative to treatment and are often less expensive than traditional rehab facilities.

Structure

Many of the skills learned in treatment are forgotten when you return home and you will need to re-learn life skills like cooking, cleaning, exercising and even getting a job. A sober living environment provides the structure that many people need to help them re-build those important life skills. A sober living sober house will also provide you with a sense of community that can be hard to find in the real world. It can also help you to avoid relapse by taking away some of the temptations of returning home to an empty house.

Residents in sober living homes must agree to random drug tests and abide by the curfew and other house rules. They are not allowed to bring visitors over for overnight stays and may not own pets or use drugs or alcohol on the premises. They will also be expected to attend 12-step or other group support meetings. They are usually not as expensive as halfway houses and are associated with a treatment program.

Communal Spaces

Sober living homes offer an environment removed from drug and alcohol triggers, as well as a structured support network for those who have been through treatment. Residents typically share bedrooms with roommates, and shared areas such as the kitchen, living rooms, and backyards are used by all house members. Residents also share responsibilities for maintaining the home and attending regular group meetings. Residents are expected to agree to randomized drug and alcohol screenings and attend group support or therapy sessions at least once a week. They are also required to adhere to a curfew and must be accountable for their whereabouts outside of the sober living home at all times. Personal possessions and clothing that promote substance use are typically not allowed, as is intimate contact with other housemates and overnight guests.

Avenues NYC’s sober living spaces provide a safe and inspirational home away from home for residents working towards total independence and lasting change. With comfortable, inviting communal spaces and 24/7 supervision from onsite staff members, our sober house offers the right balance of structure and freedom to help you build your future.

Getting Started

A sober living home provides an ideal environment for people recovering from drug and alcohol addiction. These homes typically provide support, friendship, and a supportive community. They also offer an environment free from triggers, which can help people avoid relapse. Many sober living homes have strict rules to ensure residents stay sober. These rules may include curfews and a requirement to attend group meetings. In addition, some sober living homes require residents to agree to a random drug test. They may also be required to pay a fine or make amends for breaking the rules.

If you are interested in opening a sober living house, you can start by creating a policy handbook. The handbook should include the house’s zero-tolerance policy on drugs and alcohol, admission requirements, house meeting attendance, program expectations, a curfew, guest accommodations, and household rules. You should give each resident a copy of the handbook upon admission. You should also develop a filing system for documentation.

Conclusion

Sober Living Homes provide a supportive and stable environment while individuals are in recovery. They offer a structured environment free from old drug-using friends, familiar hang-out spots, and other environmental relapse triggers. These homes also promote accountability by requiring residents to follow a set of rules. Additionally, they encourage continuing treatment and participation in support groups.