Sober Living Apartments
Addiction treatment is not a one-stop shop for most people, primarily because this particular disease is not always easy to treat. When someone has an addiction to drugs or alcohol, every ounce of their being can become impacted by their use. They can easily start to struggle to keep up the pace at work or at school and even have difficulties maintaining their own apartments and personal hygiene. Their interpersonal relationships can suffer due to increased irritability, mood swings, and problems communicating properly. Psychological and physical symptoms related to the type of substance that is being abused can start to develop. Often, these symptoms include issues such as organ damage, increased risk of infection due to lowered immune system, respiratory problems, anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideations.
When symptoms such as these begin to occur and consequences associated with one’s substance use disorder start to stack up, users may reach out for professional addiction treatment. Depending on the severity of their substance use disorder, they may enroll in residential treatment, a partial hospitalization program, or outpatient treatment. In some cases, patients start either in residential treatment or a partial hospitalization program and move down into a lower level of treatment after completing their first program for additional therapy and support.
It is not uncommon for patients in any type of treatment program to slowly transition out of a professional treatment setting prior to returning home. As mentioned before, addiction is a highly destructive disease and for many, it takes a lot of time and effort to stabilize again. While patients can move through different levels of treatment in order to make this transition, they can also participate in sober living.
What is Sober Living?
Sober living are places where people in recovery can live amongst others who are in recovery. There is much more to sober living than just having roommates who do not drink or use drugs. In fact, sober living encompasses an entire way of life that not only allows those in recovery to be comfortable while they are making their way through the process of treatment, but also helps them learn how to implement new skills and lifestyle techniques into real-life settings, which is what they will eventually be doing when returning home when their treatment is fully complete.
Living standards
Sober living residences are professionally overseen and managed to ensure the wellbeing of all tenants. There are set standards that all sober living residences must follow, as well. Some of these standards include the following:
- Tenants must keep the residence clean and the grounds maintained
- The residence must meet all health and safety standards
- The apartment itself must not give off an indication of being a sober living home
- Tenants must be in active recovery from at least one substance use disorder
- Minors are not allowed to reside in sober living apartments
- Tenants must have full intention of remaining sober
- Tenants will be drug and alcohol tested
- Tenants must be involved in recovery program activities
In addition to these standards, all tenants are expected to behave with respect to those they are living with, as well as others in their neighborhood. And, any medications that any tenant is taking must be documented at all times.
What to Expect in Sober Living
Sober living apartments are privately run, as opposed to halfway houses which are typically government funded. Because they are privately run, they are not subject to budget cuts, time limits for tenant stays, or anything else that could compromise their living situation, which is a major bonus. Therefore, tenants should feel comfortable knowing that while they are living in a sober apartment, they are in a stable situation where they can decide upon on how long they will participate in sober living.
When it comes to sober living, there are no set rules regarding how long tenants should stay. It is highly recommended that those who do enter into sober living continue to reside there for a minimum of 90 days. However, the length of time that one can stay is not limited. Studies have shown that the average length of stay for someone in sober living is anywhere between 5-8 months.
For the duration of their stay, tenants will be responsible to follow and uphold all standards put in place, such as those above. Tenants who do not follow standards, who cause chaos in the house, or who break rules intentionally are usually asked to leave the premises in order to preserve the wellbeing of the other tenants. However, those who are committed to following rules and upholding standards can thrive in this environment.
In sober living, tenants are able to go to and from their apartments just as they normally would. They can go to work, visit with friends and family, go out to eat, etc. This freedom is much different than living at a residential treatment program, as it allows tenants the opportunity to live a regular life without jeopardizing their early recovery. Tenants are, however, required to participate in some form of outpatient treatment or 12-Step meetings as a means of continued care. Some sober living apartments have all tenants go to the same meetings or even hold meetings where they live.
When an individual decides to participate in sober living, he or she should expect to fill out paperwork which can include a contract stating that they are dedicated to maintaining their recovery. Also, prior to being able to live at a sober apartment, it is usually required that individuals have to complete detox or a treatment program.
Who Can Benefit From Sober Living?
Sober living, like any other type of addiction treatment or program, is not the best choice for everyone. There is no one group of recovering substance users who fit the bill for sober living, rather it is usually determined on a case-by-case basis since everyone has their own personal needs. In general, however, those who typically benefit most from participating in sober living include those who:
- Have already completed some level of treatment
- Have a support system put in place
- Have a co-occurring medical or mental illness
- Are not stable enough in their recovery to return home
- Need extra support in between treatment programs (e.g. the time between completing residential treatment and the start of outpatient treatment)
- Are concerned that they are not steady enough in their recovery to avoid relapse
Sober living is also ideal for those who thrive off of a positive, social environment. Being in a sober living apartment encourages roommates to frequently engage with one another, which often leads to the development of a supportive group of men or women who continually cheer one another on in their journeys.
Benefits of Sober Living at Taylor Recovery
Research has proven that the longer an individual stays in addiction treatment, the more likely he or she is to maintain his or her recovery. Individuals who reside at a sober living apartment have already completed some level of treatment and are now continuing their care through 12-Step meetings or other outpatient services. Some may even be waiting to transition into another level of care, adding on to the time they spend in treatment. The more that one participates in treatment, the more skills he or she will acquire that can keep him or her from using again.
Additional benefits associated with sober living include a decrease in the possibility of a relapse as well as a stronger likelihood of continually maintaining recovery. Many people who complete a treatment program and go home right after lose their way, however when carefully transitioning out of treatment, patients can learn the importance of regularly going to meetings, talking to others about their feelings, finding ways to express anger and frustration, and engaging in good self-care as a means of preventing relapse. Addiction is a life-long disease that requires life-long care, which is often learned while in a sober living apartment.
When enrolled in sober living at Taylor Recovery, tenants can reap these benefits plus many more. It is common for tenants to start succeeding in school, finding good jobs, and keeping themselves out of legal trouble. Sober living at Taylor Recovery helps provide tenants with the self-confidence needed to not only see themselves through their treatment, but also feel empowered to maintain their recovery for a lifetime.
Get Professional Help at Taylor Recovery Right Now
Professional addiction treatment comes in all shapes and sizes to accommodate the millions of people who reach out for help on a regular basis. Sober living at Taylor Recovery is a form of addiction treatment that has proven to benefit those working towards long-term recovery.
If you have received professional addiction treatment or are getting treatment now but are looking to make plans for when you complete your program, reach out and ask about sober living at Taylor Recovery. We can help you continue to achieve your recovery goals.
Do not hesitate. Call us today.