Many people try to get sober from drugs and alcohol each year. Unfortunately, the relapse rates are quite high, at around 40-60%. That’s why having continued support throughout the early days of your recovery is essential.
Sober living facilities play a key role in the success of someone’s sobriety, especially in early recovery. Recovery homes can provide people with the support and stability they need as they get used to their new normal. People can live in a safe environment that supports their sobriety journey, increasing their chances of success.
This guide will discuss the role sober housing has on people going through early recovery after drug and alcohol addiction. Whether you’re looking for information for yourself or a loved one, it’s important to have the resources and support you need.
What’s Early Recovery?
There’s no one-size-fits-all definition of early recovery. It can encompass the first six months, a year, or even three years of abstaining from harmful substances.
Think of early recovery as the time when a person is still new to recovering and abstaining. This person is still figuring out how to live without relying on drugs or alcohol.
This is a time full of radical change for those getting sober. Some of the things they’ll experience include:
- Meeting new people
- Having new experiences
- Learning to live in new ways
- Being sober
These changes can be difficult for anyone, even if they’re not going through sobriety. We all fall into our normal routines, and breaking out of them can be challenging. This is especially true if we rely on drugs or alcohol to help us navigate our daily lives.
People recovering from addiction have to establish coping skills to help them break from their unhealthy routines. During this time, their brains also have to recover from frequently using harmful substances.
What Are Sober Living Houses?
Sober living homes are considered to be a continuum of care. A person will typically transition into one of these facilities after they complete an addiction program. They can live in a supportive environment as they get a step closer to transitioning back to their normal lives.
This type of aftercare treatment is key to help avoid relapse. Some of the services these facilities offer include:
- Counseling
- Job training
- Academic support
- Group meetings
Residents will have to abide by curfews when living in sober living homes. They might also have to do chores with other residents as part of their treatment program.
However, residents will have freedoms in these facilities that they wouldn’t have in inpatient ones. They can come and go from the house to their job or other places.
How Can Sober Living Homes Help with Early Recovery?
Transitioning from an alcohol and drug addiction treatment center to a sober living house is a great choice. Improve the success of your long-term sobriety in the early stages of your recovery. There are countless benefits you can experience by moving into a sober living home.
Continual Support and Guidance
You’ll be surrounded by people who support your recovery while living in a sober living home. Most sober living homes have managers that live on-site. They’re usually available at all hours of the day to help you with any problems that might arise.
Some of the issues they might be able to assist with include:
- Negative emotions
- Cravings
- Dealing with other people
- Finding a job
Managers and support staff are typically people who have struggled with addiction themselves. They know what it’s like to complete a treatment program and stay sober afterward.
Staff and other residents will hold you accountable throughout your early recovery. There are rules in place to keep everyone sober, healthy, and happy. Drugs or alcohol aren’t permitted inside the home.
Restoration of Life Skills
Many people lose vital life skills when they’re addicted to drugs or alcohol. These skills could include:
- Keeping up with chores
- Personal hygiene
- Regular exercise
- Eating healthily
A sober living home helps residents put their lives back together. They’ll re-learn or establish a healthy routine.
Residents will also develop interpersonal skills as they live in a home with other people. They’ll discover how to live independently without relying on drugs or alcohol.
Meaningful Relationships
Forming bonds with others is one of the major benefits of living in a sober community. You’ll be living and interacting with those who are also recovering. Other residents know what it’s like to navigate the following:
- Depression
- Drug or alcohol cravings
- Loss of control
On top of that, these people have the drive and desire to change for the better. Interacting with them could reduce feelings of loneliness, which is key to recovering from addiction.
Many people feel alone while using drugs or alcohol. They might have cut ties with others in their life.
You won’t be alone while living in a sober living community. There will be others around you the entire time. Other residents will start to feel like family members and close friends.
Independence
Newfound independence is another major advantage of living in a sober house. You’ll take control of your life as you have a positive outlook on recovery. Additionally, you’ll have the skills needed to go out and find a new job.
You’ll also be able to make new friends and connections, even outside of the sober living home. Residents will develop the ability to make healthy and responsible choices that will keep them on the road to sobriety.
Find the Right Recovery Community for You
Having the right amount of support and routine is important for those going through early recovery. Trying to transition back to “normal life” immediately following an intensive inpatient treatment program can be challenging. Improve your chances of success by staying in a sober living home until you feel prepared.
Taste Recovery helps people find sober housing options throughout the United States. You can use our free search tool to find peer-reviewed sober living communities near you. Contact us for more information or help registering for a free account.
