While getting sober may require a simple detox or rehab program, living in a continuous sober state requires commitment and care, consistently. And for most people, returning home after treatment can jeopardize that ability to truly live a sober life. If a person’s home life is filled with stresses or certain life’s pressures it can severely increase their risk of relapse. Not to mention, recovery is a lifelong journey and hard work.
Thankfully, there are various options for people looking to live sober and maintain recovery. Like, sober living homes in San Francisco, which are a transitional housing arrangement for people in recovery who desire an independent, yet structured and sober home life. Basically, sober living means living in a place where there are no temptations or diversions from alcohol or drugs. Additionally, it is a comfortable place where you can re-build and strengthen the sober life skills learned in your treatment program.
So, what about the benefits of sober living homes specifically? Mainly, the benefits of living sober day-to-day, away from substance abuse and a substance-using society.
The following are a few benefits of sober living homes:
1. Constant Guidance
One of the best parts about sober living homes is that, you will be surrounded by people who will constantly support your recovery, and hold you accountable on a daily basis. Usually, sober living homes have on-site managers that live in the house, with you and the other tenants. Also, these managers are available 24/7 to help house tenants with any potential issues that arise in your recovery, such as difficult cravings, down emotions, trouble finding a job, or if you need somebody just to talk. In various cases, sober living homes connected to a treatment facility will be equipped with support staff and alumni who have walked through the same journey. Because these people know what it is like to experience substance addiction, complete a rehab program, and what it is like to live sober after treatment. Surely, their advice can be pretty beneficial for you, in times of need.
Moreover, house managers will also hold you accountable. In a sober living home, there is a set of rules in an effort to keep all residents happy, healthy, and sober. And these rules include no alcohol or drug use on-site, a set curfew each night, or regular drug tests to ensure a sober living environment. Although, relapse is normal, but someone continuously breaks the rules, then they may not be allowed to stay any longer. Because this helps keep the environment consistent.
2. Restored Life Skills
Certain obligations are tossed out the window, when a person becomes addicted to drugs or alcohol. Such as, eating healthy, exercising regularly, keeping a clean home, and maintaining good personal hygiene.
One of the benefits of sober living is the structure it puts back into each tenant’s life. In treatment or a transitional home, you will learn or re-learn, how to institute a regime and maintain a healthy lifestyle. Sober living will help you to re-build crucial life skills, from something as simple as doing laundry, to more difficult obligations like finding jobs, or re-establishing personal responsibilities. Living with other people in recovery, you will also learn to apply interpersonal skills (dealing with certain challenges), financial skills (bills and rent), and other life skills needed to take care of yourself independently, and without the use of drugs.
3. Reduces the Risk of Relapse
As mentioned above, the goal of sober housing or living is to give people in recovery a safe and supportive place to heal, and away from outside pressures. And, this separation is possibly the greatest benefit of all. You will be given a place to live and focus on yourself, without temptation from other drug-using friends, or hang-out spots, and other environmental relapse triggers.
Substance abuse and addiction make lasting changes in the brain, which alter how our brain cells work, and also our ability to make rational decisions or manifest self-control. Many studies show that those who relapse while in recovery have less brain tissue in the portion of the brain that regulates behavior and emotional control. You must be aware of how tough it is to ignore temptation or cravings, especially in the early stages of the journey of recovery.
In a nutshell, sober homes can help eradicate relapse triggers that cause cravings or temptation. As there is no alcohol, no drugs, and no addictive prescriptions or OTC drugs allowed in a recovery home. So, there will be no opportunity to relapse, because ultimately everyone has their own, busy regime to keep on a productive recovery journey.
So, sober living homes are the best way to ensure that you will live your life independently, without the use of drugs or alcohol.