Sober living facilities are group homes used by people recovering from substance abuse that serves as an interim environment between rehab and mainstream society. Sober living facilities fill the need for safe and supportive places in which people can live while they are in the early, vulnerable stages of recovery. They are primarily meant to provide housing for people who have just come out of rehab and need a place to live that will provide structure and support.
These homes are free of alcohol and drugs, and they operate like a co-op, where an individual pays a relatively low rent and helps maintain the home by contributing to the upkeep by doing chores Residents are often required to participate in 12-step meetings, take drug tests, and show that they are taking important steps to long-lasting recovery
There are different types of sober living homes. Some are owned by businesses or religious groups, but the majority of homes are run privately, typically by groups of sober people who form an informal agreement to have a sober living arrangement. Each sober living home operates differently. Some have a manager that oversees and enforces the house rules, while other homes have a more democratic approach in which each resident has decision-making power. No matter the management style, everyone has to follow house rules in order to stay in the home.
As a resident, you are free to come and go as necessary for work, family, or leisure activity as long as you adhere to the house rules. You are able to be independent and responsible for your own recovery. Most sober homes require that you have already completed a treatment program or detox, so as not to negatively influence the other residents. Many homes will require you to agree to sign a contract stating your commitment to recovery. They are sustained by residents who support themselves, pay their own rent, and purchase their own food. These residents are encouraged to work or actively seek work if they are not employed. If finding work proves difficult, many residents will qualify for some type of government assistance that can be used to pay for sober living.
Although the terms are sometimes used interchangeably, sober living facilities are slightly different from halfway houses. Halfway houses generally require that residents either have already completed or are actively enrolled in some type of rehabilitation treatment program, while sober living homes do not. Another difference is that halfway houses have limitations on how long a resident can stay.
If a facility doesn’t offer medical services, the regulations that apply are fairly lax. Unfortunately, this opens the door for scams. Some sober home operators have been caught engaging in illegal practices, such as offering kickbacks to rehab centers for referrals — a practice known as patient brokering — and allowing drug sales on the premises.
If you or a loved one need help to quit drugs or alcohol, consider Asana Recovery. We offer medical detox, along with both residential and outpatient programs, and you’ll be supervised by a highly trained staff of medical professionals, counselors, and therapists. Call us any time at (949-438-4504).
