Rehab and sober living are often discussed together, but they serve different purposes. Rehab is clinical treatment. Sober living is supportive housing that helps people practice recovery in daily life after treatment. This guide breaks down rehab vs sober living, who each option is for, and what to consider next.
Sober living is not rehab—it’s recovery housing designed to support you after treatment.
The primary purpose of outpatient, short-term, and long-term rehab is to provide structured therapeutic treatment for drug and alcohol addiction. The experience will look different for every individual, as each person has varying needs. Rehab treatment focuses on the development of personal accountability, responsibility, and social aspects of a productive sober life. It challenges clients to examine their beliefs about themselves and others, and replace old, destructive behaviors with constructive ones.
Comparing rehab vs. sober living in Austin? This guide explains the differences and what to do next. For recovery housing options and availability, visit our Sober Living in Austin, TX page.
In contrast, sober living homes are drug and alcohol-free living environments for people in recovery from addiction.2 Their primary purpose is to support people in recovery as they transition from living a life of addiction to a life of sobriety. Although sober living homes don’t offer formal treatment programs like rehab centers do, they do provide intensive recovery support services that are designed to assist individuals who have varying levels of experience in sobriety.
Many residents of sober houses have already completed some type of drug and alcohol rehab program. Upon completion of rehab, some alumni may choose to enroll in a sober living program because they lack a drug-free, stable living environment to return to. Having a healthy living environment is a key aspect of maintaining sobriety and preventing relapse, so in some instances, spending several weeks or months living in a transitional housing program may provide the best opportunity for genuine and lasting change.
Although drug rehab centers and sober living houses serve different purposes, they both play an essential role in the addiction recovery process.
Who Should Enroll in a Sober Living Program After Rehab?
Choosing to move into a sober living program after rehab is a very personal decision. Typically, a high-quality drug and alcohol rehab program will provide continued care options or recommendations based on the client’s needs. This may or may not include a sober living program.
A sober living program may be very advantageous if a person has a high probability of relapsing, has struggled with chronic relapse previously, or does not have a stable, sober home environment to return to after rehab. It may also serve as a supportive foundation upon which to rebuild a sober life with new peers.
Sober living can provide many benefits for individuals in all stages of addiction recovery. Regardless of the amount of time a person has been sober, a transitional living program offers varying levels of support. Additionally, for those who live elsewhere, relocating to a recovery‑friendly city for a sober living program may be a great way to get away from environmental triggers and start fresh in a new location.
If a person’s home environment is drug-free and family and friends are actively supporting his or her recovery, enrollment in a sober living home may not be necessary, although doing so would provide additional recovery support they may not receive at home.
What to Expect in Sober Living with Eudaimonia
If you decide to enroll in a transitional housing program and live in a Eudaimonia sober living residence, here’s what you can expect.
- Structured schedules – Unlike in drug rehab, your daily schedule will not be completely planned out for you. As a sober living resident, you’ll be required to attend certain house or IOP meetings (if you are enrolled in IOP), adhere to your curfew and meet the requirements of your phased recovery program. Outside of these things, you are free to spend your unstructured time as you wish. Many residents choose to spend it attending school, working, volunteering, playing sports, socializing, or attending 12-step meetings.
- Phased recovery programming – Each Eudaimonia sober living client is automatically enrolled in our Three Phase Program. This program is designed to help clients gradually assimilate into a life of sobriety. As clients work with their recovery coaches to meet each of their program objectives, they are rewarded with curfew extensions, overnight passes, and other rewards.
- Camaraderie and peer support – Alumni of our Austin sober living houses describe the camaraderie they develop there as something truly special. As a resident, you’ll have the opportunity to give and receive support as you learn how to live sober with other like-minded individuals in recovery.
- Drug and alcohol testing – While living in a Eudaimonia sober living residence, you’ll be expected to submit to regular drug and alcohol testing. We require this because it maintains accountability at all of our recovery homes and helps keep clients on track.
- Comfortable and safe living environment – Eudaimonia provides safe, sober, and supportive living environments for all residents in our recovery homes. Drugs and alcohol are not permitted in our sober living houses or apartments and all clients are held accountable to this. As a result, you can expect to live in a home that is comfortable and supportive of your recovery goals at all times.
- Vibrant, active community – Austin is a great place to live, with plenty of outdoor activities in and all surrounding the city. It also boasts an active addiction recovery community, with a number of local 12-step groups, sober events, and social networks to get involved in. Our sober houses in Austin, Texas are all located in safe communities, located in desirable areas of the city near a variety of fun and exciting sober activities.
Sober living may be just what you need to maintain a successful lifestyle in sobriety. If you’d like to learn more about the benefits of sober living or find out more about our recovery homes, please call Eudaimonia Recovery Homes today or fill out our contact form online. A member of our admissions team will be happy to help you.
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