Sober Living

The transitional phase between addiction treatment and reentering regular daily life can present someone in early recovery with significant challenges. Addict behaviors die hard. It takes time for all the recovery tools learned in rehab to become healthy new habits. During the early days of addiction recovery, one of the most beneficial and protective measures one can take is to access the benefits of a sober living community.

Sober living housing offers the added layer of support so important to the newly sober individual. Whether sober living is utilized during outpatient treatment programming or as a step down in care following residential rehab, it provides just the right balance of safety, support, deterrence, and accountability that is so essential to individuals in the early stage of their recovery journey.

Sober Living During Outpatient Rehab

Outpatient treatment is available in a variety of intensities, but regardless of the number of hours or days the outpatient programming involves, the issue of where to reside while in outpatient treatment is one to be carefully considered. While remaining at home outside of treatment hours may seem reasonable and financially savvy, there are some home environments that are not going to be supportive of the individual in recovery. Whether it is the open use of drugs and alcohol within the home, a dysfunctional family dynamic, or an unsupportive spouse, attempting to go through rehab and then returning to this type of a home environment can rapidly undermine recovery. An excellent option for those entering an outpatient rehab program is to reside in sober living for a few months while in outpatient treatment and early recovery.

Sober Living Following Residential Rehab

After spending an extended period of time in a residential rehab program, where each day is tightly structured and 24-hour supervision keeps clients on task, it is not uncommon to feel vulnerable and alone in the early months of recovery after discharge. Moving directly from the structure of inpatient rehab to relying on one’s own devices to navigate triggers can place recovery in jeopardy. Part of the continuum of treatment includes the continuing care aspect of recovery following residential rehab. Stepping down to both outpatient therapy plus a sober living environment will help solidify recovery before attempting to transition back home.

Benefits of Sober Living

No matter how committed someone is to sobriety, the risk of relapse is particularly prevalent in the first few months following rehab. Individuals may benefit from spending several months in a drug and alcohol-free Palm Springs sober living community where they can reinforce sobriety while practicing new recovery skills. Getting clean and sober is only the first step—staying that way is the bigger challenge. Sober living lifestyles can significantly increase the chances of attaining a sustained recovery and a productive new life.

The benefits of sober living include:

• A drug and alcohol-free living space reduces triggers
• Regular drug and alcohol testing creates a deterrent to relapse
• Fellowship among housemates prevents loneliness
• Residents learn to be accountable to someone other than themselves
• A place to put recovery skills to use
• Encourages 12-step recovery group involvement
• House rules help keep the sober home safe and orderly
• Time to adopt new healthy daily routines
• Promotes a sober lifestyle
• Peer support and commitment to sobriety among housemates

Sober living Palm Springs is an excellent aftercare option with many benefits for someone who wants to create the best conditions for achieving a sustained recovery. Ken Seeley Communities provides women’s and men’s transitional housing to help individuals succeed in meeting and exceeding their recovery goals.