Even if you’ve successfully completed drug rehab, the work is still far from over. Lasting sobriety is a lifelong process that will no doubt challenge you each and every day. Some days will be easier than others, but long-term treatment and support systems will help make the difficult days a little bit easier.
Should I enroll in a sober living program?
Many people ask this question after they finish rehab, and understandably so. Sober living programs are not required after rehab, but they have countless benefits for people in recovery, especially those who don’t have a lot of experience living an independent, sober lifestyle.
Sober living houses are extremely beneficial because they:
- Eliminate/reduce the temptation to use drugs or alcohol by providing a clean, drug-free living environment
- Provide social support and reduce feelings of loneliness
- Help residents plan for and achieve employment, volunteer, and academic success
- Provide access to individual and group therapy, support groups, and one-on-one mentorship
- Provide accountability with recovery programming and drug testing
If you’re unsure whether you should enroll in sober living, talk with your primary treatment provider, your counselor, or your recovery specialist at your rehab center. He or she may be able to provide trustworthy recommendations based on your progress in rehab and his or her professional and personal experience with addiction recovery. He or she may also be able to help you choose a sober living home and enroll in a program if you decide to.
4 Types of People Who Can Benefit from a Sober Living Home
In general, most people need ongoing support and accountability to maintain a life of sobriety. It’s definitely not recommended to leave rehab and never attend another support group meeting or continue working with a sponsor. Fortunately, sober living houses provide helpful structure and support during a testing, transitional time of life, and they are excellent resources for anyone in recovery.
If you are trying to decide if you should enroll in a sober living program, you may fit into one of these four types of people who generally benefit from such programs.
- People who are newly sober – If you just completed your drug rehab program and this is your first time living sober on your own, enrolling in a sober living program is a great way to make sure you stay on track and stick to your recovery goals. It’s all too easy to fall back into old habits when you have no one to keep you accountable, when you’re struggling with cravings, and when you haven’t had a safe place to practice being sober on your own after rehab. Transitional living programs are designed to do exactly what the name sounds like: help people navigate a transitional phase of life.
- People who have had multiple relapses in the past – Maybe this isn’t your first rodeo. If you’ve been out of rehab for years but have struggled with several relapses, enrolling in a sober living program may just be what you need to get sober again and stay that way. Having the structure and communal support of a group living environment can help keep you accountable to your sobriety goals while also challenging you to grow personally, emotionally, and spiritually.
- People whose home environment makes it difficult to stay sober – If you have family members who abuse drugs and alcohol, or your roommates aren’t supportive of your decision to get sober, this kind of living environment can be detrimental to your sobriety. In this case, a sober living home can provide a safe, drug-free space for you to practice living sober on your own before returning to a more challenging living environment. It may also provide you with the time you need to find a job and save up for your own place.
- People who were (or still are) resistant to treatment – Let’s face it: you may have been (or still are) not fully invested in your treatment. Accepting the fact that you have a substance abuse problem and that you need help can take time and you may not be done processing all of your personal issues by the time your rehab program is over. By enrolling in a sober living program, you are giving yourself more time to process these issues and changes without subjecting yourself to high-risk situations in an unstructured living environment.
Even if you don’t fit into one of the above categories, enrolling in a sober living program may still be the best option to help you stay on track. If not, you may want to consider other additional options for ongoing treatment, such as IOP or our peer recovery support program.
Whatever stage of life and recovery you find yourself in, Eudaimonia Recovery Homes is here to support you. Contact our admissions team today to speak with a specialist and explore all the potential options for ongoing addiction treatment.
