Transitioning out of residential treatment can be both an exciting and intimidating time. Opportunities for a new, fulfilling life abound, as well as the temptation to return to old destructive behaviors. While new healthy habits and routines are still forming, returning home may not be the best answer. In the early days, the recovering person is still developing the coping strategies necessary to effectively handle the triggers that often arise through returning to the familiar stomping grounds of the home.
Choosing to reside in Sober Living is often a key piece in making the transition to autonomous living a successful one. Sober living facilities in Orange County and across the country provide individuals with a safe, structured environment where they can adjust to their new lifestyle and successfully transition back into society.
What is Sober Living?
Sober living homes in Orange County, California – or elsewhere throughout the country – are a stepping stone to bridge the gap between treatment and full immersion back into the community. Alcohol addiction or drug abuse are a difficult yet achievable challenge to overcome and a sober living program strives to make the effort worth it, as it focuses on relapse prevention and provides recovering addicts with the tools they need to achieve a sober life. At a sober living house, clients are responsible for themselves and their actions, but they have the support of others who are in recovery as well as staff and structure to hold them accountable. The facilities are supervised and have rules in place to keep all residents safe and promote a healthy lifestyle free from substance abuse. Sober living is an opportunity for individuals to more effectively adjust to the real world following addiction treatment.
What to Expect in Sober Living
Sober living programs in Orange County offer structured, healing environments. They provide predictable routines, opportunities for healthy social engagement, and a high level of accountability. While the specifics of each sober home vary, most have expectations in place regarding how residents spend their time to maximize healthy engagement and assist participants in developing their independent recovering lifestyle. An example of this could be the expectation that clients are out of the home – either working, attending school, seeking work, or participating in volunteer engagements – during normal business hours during the day.
Through these types of guidelines, individuals develop their independence and relearn how to engage in healthy routines. Each person is responsible for certain chores or tasks, must follow the rules of the sober living home, must take regular drug tests to ensure they are substance-free, and is aided in engaging productively with their lives. Some sober living homes also require that residents participate in outpatient treatment or therapy through an approved addiction treatment facility such as Northbound.
Why We Recommend Sober Living After Rehab
We recommend sober living after drug and alcohol rehab so that clients have the opportunity to adjust more effectively to their new lifestyle. Being thrown back into their old environment right where they left off can be overwhelming and impede their recovery progress. As much as a family wants their loved one back, it is not necessarily the best situation for anyone. Family can feel pressured to have to watch over their loved one all the time to prevent relapse. It can be stressful for everyone. A Sober living environment allows clients to practice what they have learned in addiction treatment, foster confidence in their ability to stick with productive routines and make healthy choices, and decreases the likelihood of relapse. If a relapse does occur, the behavior is quickly identified and residents are assisted in getting the help they need.
Help Finding Sober Living
While the Northbound treatment center does not offer a sober living facility of our own, we believe deeply in the efficacy of this service and are committed to helping our client find a home that’s right for them. We are grateful to partner with many quality sober living homes in California and throughout the country such as Recovery and Wellness (RAW) Sober Living. Through this established and ever-growing network, we are able to assist clients in finding a home that meets their unique needs.
We want you to feel safe, secure, and supported in your recovery as you transition from treatment back into society. We know how hard you have worked in treatment and want to see you achieve a year of continuous sobriety and beyond. You have options, and we are here to support you and help you be as successful as possible. Set yourself up for greater success in recovery by choosing sober living.
