Men’s Sober Living: What You Should Know
Halfway houses date back to the 18th century, but modern sober living homes offer far more than a safe place to sleep. For people recovering from substance abuse and alcohol addiction, a sober living house provides much-needed structure and support as they transition back to life at home.
Depending on your needs, incorporating a sober living community into your recovery program could be the key to long-term sobriety. Here’s what you need to know.
Are you or someone you love suffering from alcohol addiction? Zinnia Health can help. Call our free alcohol addiction number at (855) 430-9439 to learn more about our flexible and personalized treatment programs.
What is a Men’s Sober Living Home?
Recovery houses, also known as sober living homes or “halfway houses,” are dedicated residences designed to provide treatment services and a support system to people recovering from addiction. Recovery residences may be dedicated to a specific type of addiction, like alcohol or opioid recovery, but they all share some similarities.
The primary purpose of a sober living house is to ease the transition from full-time care, such as a residential treatment facility or hospital setting, as a person prepares to move out on their own.
Since a sudden move from a 24/7 treatment center to living on their own can be difficult and isolating, potentially sending a person back into relapse, sober living homes are considered the ideal middle ground.
Services Offered in Men’s Sober Living Homes
Sober living homes are designed to provide a supportive environment for individuals who recently completed a substance abuse treatment program at an inpatient facility. The role of the home is to support them in their long-term recovery by helping them achieve a sense of normalcy.
For instance, someone in a sober living home may start going to work or school and socializing again outside of their recovery support group.
To keep new residents on the right track, sober living homes often:
- Have house rules, such as curfews
- Carry out regular drug testing to ensure the house remains drug-free
- Find a house manager to live on-site
- Provide experts to support individuals through the recovery process
- Contract professionals for counseling and to lead peer support groups
Zinnia Health knows that finding confidential, customized care is essential for overcoming addiction and staying sober. If you have questions about the treatment process, our team is happy to help. Call us today at (855) 430-9439 for more information.
How Do I Move Into a Men’s Sober Living Home?
Sober living homes are considered a transitional environment. They aren’t a place for addiction treatment, but rather a place where you might choose to live after leaving a treatment facility. Generally, you’ll need to demonstrate that you’re in remission to be welcomed into a sober living environment.
If you think a sober living home could be valuable to you in your recovery journey, you’ll likely need to complete some other steps first, like:
- Going through the detox process, which is the first step in recovery. The detox process is best handled by an inpatient treatment facility that can provide 24/7 care, be it a hospital or residential facility.
- Working with a recovery specialist to develop a treatment plan. This may include services like group therapy, skills training, and other support to get you on the path to sobriety.
- Demonstrating that you can effectively cope with cravings and any lingering symptoms of withdrawal, which is an important requirement before moving beyond any sort of inpatient care.
The length of your initial recovery program can vary from weeks to months depending on the type of addiction, complications during the detox process, and co-occurring disorders that may need to be diagnosed or managed. During your treatment program, you can speak with a healthcare provider about referrals that might be necessary to obtain additional support, like enrollment in a sober living home.
It’s worth noting that moving into a recovery residence is not required during addiction treatment, but it may be recommended. There is no minimum or maximum amount of time you must stay in a sober living home. Like treatment, your plan should be customized to your lifestyle and goals.
How Much Does a Recovery Residence Cost?
The cost of a sober living home depends on your area. You may have the option of sharing a room or having your own, which can affect the price. Some homes may even offer additional amenities that come with a higher price tag, such as an in-ground pool or home gym.
Another aspect that will impact the cost of a sober living home is whether it’s privately owned (for-profit) or a non-profit entity. Non-profit recovery residences are often run by religious groups or foundations and typically receive grants, donations, and other financial support. This means a non-profit home may cost significantly less and, in certain circumstances, may even be free.
Regardless of your financial status, you should never assume that addiction treatment or sober living support is out of your budget. Between income-based pricing, payment plans, insurance coverage, sponsorships, and grants, there is a way to get the care you need without financial stress.
What Comes After a Halfway House?
The sober living environment that halfway houses provide helps people model healthier routines and behaviors. When someone is ready to leave the sober living community, it will be far easier for them to transition to living on their own. Of course, it’s important that recovery services continue to be provided to the individual to prevent relapse.
As people strive to return to a sober life while out on their own, some things they should plan for include:
- Maintaining open channels of communication with loved ones and other people in their support network
- Participating in continued therapy and counseling to take care of their physical and mental health
- Learning new skills to help advance their careers and taking up new hobbies that they find fulfilling
- Continuing to build relationships with healthy individuals who do not use drugs or alcohol
For many, the hardest part of sober living is steering clear of alcohol and drug use, which can be tough if a person’s friends or family members also deal with substance use disorders. Staying away from negative influences, pressure, and triggers as much as possible — and learning how to deal with them when they arise — is a key part of recovery.
Getting Clean and Staying Clean
If you or someone you love is facing addiction, our caring staff at Zinnia Health can help. Our supportive inpatient and outpatient treatment programs are flexible, personalized, and research-based. When you’re ready to take the next step, reach out to our 24/7 helpline at (855) 430-9439.
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