The concept of a Sober Living House was born out of the need to provide a supportive and safe haven for dependents while on the road to recovery. The most common guests are those who have just gotten out of a rehabilitation center and need a supportive and structured system to allow them to transition smoothly to normal society.

There is a common misconception that a Sober Living House is synonymous to a Rehab Home, Recovery Support Home, Halfway House, Shelter, Hostel, or a Boarding Home. This is actually a wrongfully placed generalization because although many of Sober Living Houses provide similar services, majority of them do not. In general the term Sober Living House is associated more with the process of recovery from substance abuse more than anything else.

The Basics of a Sober Living House

Although there may be instances wherein the services offered by a Sober Living House may differ slightly from others, there are some general commonalities which can be drawn. Majority of these SLEs are very affordable and maintain a drug and alcohol free environment to create a positive atmosphere to support peer group recovery. One of the most common goals of any Sober Living House is to promote self-sufficiency in the substance dependent.

Majority of the SLEs are owned and operated by private individuals, businesses, or organizations. Some are even registered under the category of Non-Profit Organizations based on the Internal Revenue Service code of the United States. Despite the absence of government grants or subsidies many of the residents are actually qualified to receive social benefits individually. Some of the basic requirements of a Sober Living House include:

• Absence of drugs and alcohol in the premises
• Mandatory attendance in AA or NA meetings
• Random drug testing of residents
• Payments of bills on time
• Generally accepted by SLE peer group

Sober Living House Quality

Normally, the quality of service delivered by a Sober Living House is assured via its membership in a Sober Living Network or Coalition. These groups usually implement self-regulation and self-governance using a system of peer reviews as well as inspections.

It is expected that every Sober Living House member maintain the excellent standards of the group in terms of safety, health, and effective management. The recovery support activities in a Sober Living House is normally initiated and maintained by the residents.

It is important that no Sober Living House functions as an acute detoxification or treatment center although they have referral listings which many residents can take advantage of. It is of course normal that some residents may arrive still shaking during their first 3 days of sobriety. Some common traits that can be exhibited include sweating and sleeping off the effects of their last substance abuse.

Typical Setup of a Sober Living House

The usual Sober Living House is in the form of a single-family residence, multiunit complex, or duplex that is found in a quiet residential community. Residents are made to understand that there are rules that must be strictly followed to allow them to stay in the SLE. Usually violation of house rules result in various consequences like payment of minor fines, writing essays, or in extreme cases outright ejection from the Sober Living House.

The setup of a Sober Living House implements zero tolerance for the presence of alcohol and drugs including regular medicine cabinet items like cold medicines, after shave cologne, mouthwash, and other similar products. Food items like vanilla are also prohibited from the premises.

Essentially, 52 proof mouthwash and 70 proof vanilla including alcohol based cold medicines are the ones prohibited from the premises because of their tendency to deliver false positive test results. When consumed in large quantities these items may also result in intoxication.

Rules for Residents of Sober Living House

Because of the desire to develop a supportive and quiet environment which will enhance the recovery of the substance dependent, the zero tolerance rules is strictly implemented. Essentially, this rule is not limited to alcohol and drugs.

The zero tolerance rule of Sober Living House includes violence in every form like fighting, threatening, and harassment among others. Moreover, tolerance for theft, sexual encounters, unexcused absence, and violation of curfew is non-existent.

Part of the rules implemented by a Sober Living House is that every resident must be self-supporting in terms of financial capacity. This means that they can pay their own rent as well as buy their own meals among others. The rules are meant to develop a harmonious relationship among residents that will allow them to work or seek employment actively.

In the case of students, there is a hope that they will have a renewed desire to go back to school and finish their studies. Residents of a Sober Living House who are disabled or under local, federal, or state assistance normally become involved in the services provided by the home to the neighborhood.

The Sober Living House is normally characterized as being communal. The number of residents depend on the size of the SLE can support. Usually the number of residents range from 6 up to 30 with at least 2 residents sharing one bedroom. The number of roommates can be from 2 to 10 based on the style of the bedrooms. Some Sober Living House bedrooms use barrack-style bunk beds.

The expectations of halfway houses will vary considerably and researching one that provides the proper fit is central to a successful recovery. The majority of residents in a house have already completed an intensive residential drug or alcohol rehab program for a minimum of 30 days. Individuals decide to enter a transitional housing situation in place of returning home to family and friends for a variety of reasons. They may recognize that they are more likely to relapse if surrounded by people and settings that are associated with their previous drug use. They may be concerned that rehab was too brief and that they require more time to practice and integrate newly learned coping mechanisms to deal with daily stress and triggers in order not to return to using drugs. The support of other recovering addicts learning to embrace sobriety and how to best achieve this goal is a significant benefit of moving into a halfway house. The time spent in a treatment facility allows the addict and alcoholic to focus solely on recovery without outside influences and pressure. When discharge from the program is imminent the individual may realize that they are not yet prepared to maintain sobriety and integrate into regular, daily living without substantial support.

Initially designed for individuals recently released from prison, halfway houses have emerged as an asset to addicts following completion of a treatment program. Drug and alcohol rehabs provide their clients the tools necessary for long-term sobriety. Effective programs will help clients improve their physical and mental health through a holistic approach that includes healthy eating, exercise, reflection, and alternative coping mechanisms and behaviors. However, if an addict subsequently returns to a family situation that does not embrace sober living or does not understand how to support the addict without enabling them it places the individual at risk for relapse. A halfway house preserves a substance-free environment that encourages recovering addicts and alcoholics to work a 12-step program, return to work or school and steadily make gains toward independent living.

Residents of a halfway house will be required to contribute daily to a clean, healthy living environment for everyone. With the encouragement of other residents addicts can find the confidence to slowly reintegrate into the wider community and regular living. Rules will be enforced regarding visitation, curfew, having guests and leaving the premises, employment, and chores. Given that these programs are temporary living situations residents have to ensure that they are progressing toward their goal of living with their family or independently again in the future. Therefore, the addict is expected to obtain employment or return to their current place of employment that they left prior to entering treatment. Assistance will often be available to help secure a job. Attending school is also encouraged, either in addition to work or as an alternative to employment. Regular attendance at AA or NA is required and if the house has a weekly meeting residents must make arrangements to be present at those as well. Not abiding by house rules could result in termination from the house.

Individuals in recovery vary in the degree of support that they will have a need for after completing rehab. For those anticipating significant difficulties with sobriety deciding to enter a halfway house upon release is a sound alternative to returning home. They will have the opportunity to live in an environment that encourages sober living and slowly experience aspects of daily life outside of rehab without the influence of drugs or alcohol. Residents can thrive on the supportive community of a halfway house and be better prepared to live independently in the future.

Drug and alcohol rehabs provide a safe environment for individuals interested in sobriety. Clients of a residential center are surrounded by professionals and other individuals striving to live without drugs and alcohol. They are supported and given direction regarding their daily schedule and activities. All substances are noticeably absent allowing the clients to focus solely on their recovery. New behaviors and coping mechanisms are learned during treatment to be utilized in place of substances when faced with stressful situations and pressure. The typical 30-day stay in a treatment facility prepares the alcoholic and addict to utilize more positive behaviors and engage in a healthier lifestyle, but it is only the beginning of recovery. While in the early stages of recovery it is invaluable for an individual recently completing treatment to be surrounded by others motivated to maintain sobriety. It will be difficult for an individual early in their recovery to apply tools learned to treatment if they are planning to return to the precarious environment which they left. Sober living environments are vital in assisting with a smooth transition between a rehab facility and living independently.

Recovering addicts and alcoholics choosing to enter a sober living home will encounter structure, expectations and rules. They will live with other addicts who have the same goal of maintaining long-term sobriety. Residents are expected to remain substance-free not only for themselves but for the safety of the other residents. This expectation will regularly be enforced through random drug tests and ensuring that the residents do not possess any items suggestive of drug or alcohol use. Any visitors of those living in the residence will be held to the same standards as those living there. Everyone living in the house will be assigned chores in order to ensure the household runs smoothly and provides a clean, healthy living environment. Regular attendance at AA or NA meetings is required as is obtaining a sponsor and working through the 12-step process. Given that a sober living environment is a transitional arrangement intended to prepare the person to live independently and free of drugs and alcohol, the expectation is that they will either secure a full-time job or return to school for further training in a field. The hope is that residents will utilize their time in a constructive manner and continue to make changes to improve their lives.

Sober living environments are crucial to success in recovery for many individuals. However, for some situations continuing to live apart from family is not possible following treatment. Parents of young children, sole income earners of a household, and caregivers of the elderly may encounter multiple obstacles to continuing treatment beyond the thirty days. Family members back home might feel that they need the individual to return to the home environment to help provide childcare or return to work once again. In such cases it is essential that the recovering addict and their partner evaluate the benefits and risks of returning home too early and how treatment has prepared them to handle the stresses and pressures of daily living without abusing substances.

Relapse is a common occurrence in the early stages of recovery and sober living environments have procedures intended to supervise and support addicts and alcoholics. Residents will live in a group setting with the expectation that they will assume individual responsibility for their living space and contribute to the community. Curfews are strictly enforced and violations of regulations can jeopardize a resident’s stay at the sober house. Each sober house will have its own expectations and requirements of its residents and prospective residents are encouraged to visit the location and thoroughly understand what living in the house would entail. If you are concerned about relapse after treatment or the dangers associated with returning to your previous environment deciding to enter a sober living environment can provide an excellent opportunity and solution.

Individuals living in sober residences will benefit from a substance-free atmosphere where they can expect encouragement and support from others striving for the same goals. In addition to the residents there will be a house manager that supervises the activities of residents, ensures that everyone is contributing to the smooth operation of the house, and provides invaluable guidance regarding recovery. It is common for the house manager or operator to be a recovering addict who has been sober for a substantial amount of time as they can utilize their knowledge and experience to help others struggling. Although an individual preparing to leave rehab may feel strongly about returning home to their family it is imperative that they recognize the benefits of extending the period of time away from their previous environment. This is especially true if their family and friends are not going to provide enough support to continue the skills and new behaviors emphasized in treatment.

Residents of a sober house are expected to either be employed or attend school. Engaging themselves in regular daily activities is vital to making constructive use of time and learning to interact with society. Those living together create a supportive community where positive and negative experiences can be shared in a compassionate, empathetic environment. However, potential residents need to understand that rules are enforced and there will be zero tolerance for use of alcohol or drugs and any deviation from the house’s standards will incur consequences. A limit is not always placed on the amount of time a person can reside in the house but the goal is to work towards independence. Most situations will require the recovering addict to return to previous employment if possible or make a serious effort in applying to full-time jobs. Although the majority of rents will be reasonable, living in a sober house is not free and insurance does not usually cover the cost. Therefore, the expectation is that all members contribute to the chores and maintenance of the house and consistently pay their rent.

Enrolling in school is also encouraged especially if the individual is having difficulty finding employment. Becoming a volunteer is another manner of re-entering the greater community and interacting with a wide variety of people. Involvement and regular attendance at 12-step meetings such as AA and NA is a requirement of residents. They need to obtain a sponsor and faithfully work the program’s steps. Weekly house meetings will also occur and attendance is expected at these meetings. House rules and expectations will vary depending on the location selected and therefore it is important to research and visit where you will potentially live following discharge from rehab. Most houses are gender-specific with strict rules regarding visitation on the premises. Curfews are common and depending on your adherence and behavior in the community additional privileges can be extended.

Sober living environments are an effective solution for recovering addicts and alcoholics completing a minimum 30-day stay at a residential treatment center. They are a crucial tool in facilitating the transition between rehab and living at home independently. Relapse is not uncommon with addicts, especially early in recovery. Drug and alcohol treatment teaches clients new, healthier mechanisms for coping and reacting to triggers. However, properly and efficiently employing these methods is learned over a long period of time. The typical stay in a residential rehab lays the foundation for sobriety but a supportive environment is imperative to fully develop and embrace newfound sobriety.