What Are Sober Living Homes?

Sober living homes are places where those who are recovering from alcohol and/or drugs can stay. These homes are a good idea for those who need stability but are unable to provide that for themselves. Having an environment that is drug and alcohol-free is vital to successful, lasting sobriety. As many addicts do not have access to this type of atmosphere, sober living homes can assist. At The Ranch, we offer access to self-help support groups as part of our treatment program to provide continued support after rehab is complete, to prevent future relapses.

What’s Life Like in Sober Living Homes

Sober living homes were originally started as a halfway house for those leaving recovery. Typically, the people staying there are either in a recovery program or have just finished one. Some of the homes have a manager who makes sure the rules are followed. Others are more democratic. These may have leadership positions or a platform that allows residents to voice opinions. According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information or NCBI, there are several tried and true models for sober living homes. These include:

First and foremost, a sober living home is a place that is drug and alcohol-free. This clean environment is just what a recovering addict needs
There is usually no treatment program within the house, but support groups are provided and often required. 12-Step programs through AA or NA are the most popular choice due to the history of success among addicts
Must maintain sobriety
Residents must pay rent, help with chores, and participate in house meetings
Most homes will allow a tenant to stay in the home as long as they follow all the rules
Some homes may include: social events among residents that are completely free of any substance use; exercise and recreational activities; job availability within the community; help with resume and interviewing; chef-prepared meals; assistance with life skills such as setting up a bank account, budgeting, and credit building
Volunteering is encouraging to teach ‘giving back’ as a way of caring for others and getting outside yourself
The goal is to set recovering addicts up for success in the real world, strengthen relationship and life skills, and build confidence. This is an ongoing process rather than a quick fix

How Do Sober Living Homes Aid in Relapse Prevention

Studies show that sober living homes or SLHs, are very effective in aiding recovery as well as continued sobriety. However, there are some factors that have been sited in these studies done by NCBI:

Homes in lower-income areas perform better when situated near outpatient treatment centers. Also, when costs low due to the mean income opportunities in the area, the homes function better. As costs are lower, there are not as many extracurricular activities, but those that are available should be free
Sober living homes, as opposed to halfway houses, are more beneficial. This is because a resident can stay in a sober living home as long as they feel necessary. In halfway houses usually funded by the government, there is a limited amount of beds. Tenants are given a period of time to stay and then pushed out to make room for someone else. This can create a situation of homelessness or inappropriate housing, leading to a relapse
Some SLHs attach themselves to outpatient treatment centers. This is a great advantage for those in low-income areas as the cost is supported by government programs
Free-standing SLHs are a good option for those who are seeking to re-enter the world after treatment or for convicts recently released from prison. These places allow more freedom than a halfway house and teach many of the necessary skills for life

Treatment Programs Used After Rehab With Sober Living Homes

The Ranch offers a variety of addiction therapy programs after treatment to prevent future relapse. These programs aim to help you understand your relapse triggers and how to cope with stressful situations without turning to drugs. Addiction treatment programs offered at The Ranch that provides support for relapse prevention include:

Contact The Ranch

The Ranch offers a plethora of programs for addiction. Our loving, compassionate staff understands that recovery is hard. We have individualized care in an accepting, supportive atmosphere. We want to help you find your path to recovering by exploring the reasons you got where you are, how to recognize the things that trigger you, and how to manage recovery better. Our professionals are ready to get you on the road to being clean and sober. Addiction does not have to be your life. Contact The Ranch today at 1.844.876.7680 to make a lasting recovery from your drug addiction.