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Around 23.5 million Americans currently suffer from some kind of drug addiction. Yet only 11% of those people are currently in recovery. And while most of those people will be going through traditional and sterile treatment centers, their chances for actual success are slim.
Sober living homes aim to provide an alternative to those centers by offering a different type of recovery environment. But what exactly are sober living homes and how do they work? Continue reading and we’ll walk you through everything you need to know.
What Is a Sober Living Home?
When a person is in an inpatient treatment center, they are immersed completely in the rehab program. That person has little to no independence. Sober living homes, on the other hand, provide a supportive but more freeing environment for residents.
In a sober living home, residents don’t have to stay on the facility’s campus. They’re allowed to come and go as they want. This helps them regain independence and assimilate with the rest of the world.
Sober living homes still have rules though. These rules may include group meeting attendance and curfews.
These homes also have different programs for their residents. Some places, like the Alo House Recovery Centers, offer individual and group therapy, vocational skills training, and hiking.
How Sober Living Homes Can Help
Going to a sober living home is a middle step between going from an immersive recovery center straight to home. Sober living homes attempt to replicate what it’s like to live at home while instilling positive and healthy habits. This all works to help avoid relapse.
People who stay in sober living homes receive help with a number of things including:
- Locating housing
- Making amends with family and friends
- Adjusting to life in an unstructured environment
- Getting a job
Also, by following a uniquely crafted aftercare plan, a resident is able to recognize triggers that are likely to cause a relapse. The home aims to help give them positive coping mechanisms as well as an emergency contact for when they are stressed or craving. By having a set plan of action, a person who is recovering can feel more comfortable since they know they have a support system in place.
Sober Living Home Levels
Not all sober living homes are the same. There are different levels depending on the patient’s needs.
A level 1 home gives the resident the least amount of oversight. These homes use a democratic system to operate the facility but still make it mandatory to abstain from all substances.
In a level 2 home, there isn’t an equal-vote democracy. Instead, a supervisor is there to make sure things run smoothly. With that said, the supervisor is elected by the members of the house and they’re in charge of fixing disputes.
A level 3 home is the most reminiscent of an inpatient treatment facility. These centers have on-site staff who live at the home and provide support.
The Importance of Knowing About Sober Living Home
Addiction and drug abuse are destructive and potentially fatal disorders. Luckily, with the help and support from sober living homes, residents can get sober and also make healthy transitions back into society.
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