Sober Living Homes: How to Find the Right Fit

Addiction is not uncommon in the United States, and seeking treatment is not always easy. However, if you’ve been brave enough to enter rehab and face your addiction, you may be wondering where you can go next.

Are you in recovery and searching for the best place to live?

Sober living homes can be a great choice for anyone that is recently out of treatment and seeking to gain some independence.

If you want to learn more about sober living homes and how to find the best one for you, keep reading below to find out everything you need to know.

What Is a Sober Living Home?

A sober living home is a group home for people that are in recovery from addiction. A lot of the homes you will find are privately owned, but some are owned by businesses, charities, or non-profit organizations. Usually, a sober living home will be located in a quiet residential area to make sure that occupants are in a relaxing environment.

These homes are not the same thing as rehab centers. People that live in sober living homes can leave as they’d like, but there are still rules to follow. You may have to be back before a certain hour, for example.

Some people will use a sober living home as a transition from inpatient or outpatient rehab to living in the “real world” again following outpatient treatment.

Anyone that lives in a sober living home is going to have to look out for themselves, so you still get to keep your independence. This is a big step in addiction recovery.

People that live in a sober home will have to pay rent, buy food, and do other things that they would do if they were living on their own. The big difference is that there are others there to help support them, and the rules in place help encourage active recovery.

How to Find a Sober Living Home

There are many factors to consider before you choose a sober living home that will be a good fit for you, including location, your personal needs, and convenience.

You will want to choose a sober living home in a location that is safe and in a neighborhood you like. Learn about the neighborhood you may be staying in before you commit to a sober living home.

Another thing to consider is your personal needs and the amenities offered by the home. If you’re a parent, for instance, is there space in the home for your child? Does the home come with a room furnished for you, or are you expected to bring furniture?

Also, consider how close the home is to your job or other places that you go to often. If you have a preferred grocery store, try to see if you’d be able to get there easily from the home you’re considering.

If you’re able to go to the home in person before you make a decision for a tour, this is a good idea. You can see what it looks like, potentially meet some residents, and get a feel for what it might be like to stay there.

At the same time, you can check out what the home looks like, inside and out, to determine if you think you’d be comfortable living there.

Unique or Memorable Features

Some sober living homes have their own features that make them stand apart from other options in the area.

Although this shouldn’t be a deciding factor, a home that has something special to enhance your experience can be a positive thing for anyone in recovery.

Some examples of features that a sober living home going above and beyond may offer include:

• LGBTQIA+ friendly accommodations
• An outdoor yard or patio space
• Childcare while residents are at work
• Security guards or patrol
• Employment and/or education assistance
• House mentor or support person

While you don’t have to choose a sober living home with a special feature, those options may be useful if you have something specific you need – to be comfortable for recovery.

What Should You Watch Out For?

It is important to be aware that some sober living homes are not what they advertise. Some homes have sketchy rules or shady practices that inhibit recovery for anyone staying there.

This is why research is so important before you choose a home.

Learn as much as you can about the home before you commit to it. Some of the questions that you may want to ask include:

• What accreditations does this home have?
• What are the ground rules for residents?
• Do you allow drugs or alcohol on the premises?
• How long has this home been around?
• Do the rooms and doors leading outside have working locks?
• Are romantic relationships allowed between residents?
• What types of meetings do you have?
• Do you conduct interviews with residents to maintain sobriety?

This is not a complete list, so come up with additional questions that you would want the answer to before you select a sober living home.

Choosing Sober Living Homes

Finding the perfect place to live after rehab is intimidating.

Not only is it the place that you will be spending most of your time, but it is also the place that is supposed to support you in recovery. Making the wrong choice can be scary, but luckily, you’re not alone.

If you’re searching for sober living homes and are struggling to find support, contact us today. We are available by phone or by chat on our website.