Recovery is hard work, and if you’re considering joining a sober living community it’s important to think about all options. Carefully weighing your options and making the choice that’s right for your unique needs is essential to the process. 

One of the things to think about is the difference between coed sober living and gender-specific sober living. Depending on your personal preferences and situation one may be better than the other. 

Whether to choose coed or gender-specific sober living is a common consideration and it’s an important one. Spending time in a sober living home makes the transition from intensive treatment to regular life more successful and improves the outcome of treatment. With all facets of addiction recovery, picking the right option is key to long-term success. Let’s take a look at some of the differences and benefits of both coed sober living and gender-specific sober living. 

What is a Sober Living Home?

Before addressing the two different gender versions of a sober living home, it’s important to define the term. A Sober living home is typically used during and after addiction treatment. Sober living homes are often viewed as a bridge/path between inpatient treatment and the outside world. It can be tough to transition back into society after addiction treatment. This is why a sober living home can be extremely useful. 

Sober living homes are safe and open environments that promote sobriety and accountability. It can be very effective to live in a sober living home for the time being. Casa Nuevo Vida offers comprehensive comfort and support with our quality sober living homes in Los Angeles. With this in mind, it’s important to know the differences and pros/cons between coed sober living and gender-specific homes. 

A Look at Coed Sober Living

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration stresses that women and men have different needs in treatment and recovery. Women generally value trust and warmth in a therapeutic relationship. On the other hand. men prefer a less personal and more utilitarian approach to solving problems. Women have more issues with anxiety and depression, while men have more issues with anger and control. Despite these fundamental differences, coed sober living programs can be beneficial.

Although coed programs house both men and women, romantic relationships between residents are never allowed. Experts across the board recommend not starting a romantic relationship of any kind for at least a year once you’re in recovery. But for those who can avoid the obvious pitfalls of coed sober living, this type of environment can be valuable and enriching. 

The Benefits of Coed Sober Living

There are several different benefits to coed sober living as opposed to gender-specific. This comes down to personal preference and boundaries. While many might be hesitant to go for a coed sober living home, there are certain things to keep in mind. Let’s take a look at some of the underlooked benefits of coed sober living during recovery. 

The benefits of coed sober living include:

  • The opportunity to practice social skills with both men and women.
  • The ability to get a different gender perspective on important issues that are relevant to your recovery.
  • Having the bond and friendship of a “big brother” or “big sister” as part of your support system.
  • The opportunity to practice keeping your focus on recovery despite the inevitable distractions the opposite sex can represent.

A Closer Look at Gender-Specific Sober Living

Gender-specific sober living, on the other hand, helps to take the romance out of the equation. The entire household is of one gender, which can promote a more relaxed and emotionally stable living environment. In some cases, women may be more comfortable living with other women than a mix. Gender-specific homes are also more manageable for people who’ve had bad experiences with the opposite sex. This should play a big role when choosing which one might work best. 

It also may be uncomfortable for some people when living with the opposite sex. This, of course, is a matter of preference and may not affect everyone the same. In some cases, a person may have had bad experiences with the other sex and maybe more comfortable in a coed environment. Opening up in a safer and more comfortable environment can be much better for abuse survivors or gay/lesbian residents. 

The Benefits of Gender-Specific Sober Living 

As with coed sober living, gender-specific living has its fair share of advantages. For some men and women, living with the same gender can be more comfortable and better. It can also avoid other distractions that may benefit everyone involved. Let’s take a closer look at how gender-specific living might be better for you. 

Benefits of gender-specific sober living include:

  • The opportunity to focus on recovery without having to worry about the inevitable distractions of a coed living situation.
  • The chance to develop close familial relationships with other members of your gender without the subtle influences of the other gender.
  • The ability to talk openly about unique issues that face you as a man or a woman.
  • Programming that’s focused on gender-specific needs.

When Gender-Specific Sober Living is the Best Choice for Women

For some women, a gender-specific program is essential for success. Women who have feelings of powerlessness and helplessness, low self-esteem, or a lack of assertiveness tend to do better in gender-specific homes. This is because they don’t feel like they have to compete against more dominant men. This can create a much more welcoming and open environment for some women. 

Likewise, it’s essential for women who have a history of physical, emotional, or sexual abuse to choosing a gender-specific program. This way, they’re likely to feel safer and be able to talk freely and comfortably about their experiences. In some cases, it’s these traumatic memories that may fuel drug use or addiction in some women. If this sounds like it might be the case for you or a loved one, a gender-specific home is recommended. 

When Gender-Specific Sober Living is the Best Choice for Men

Men and women communicate differently, and men often have difficulties expressing emotions and sharing difficult experiences. Men who aren’t comfortable opening up in the presence of women should choose a gender-specific program

Likewise, men who are easily distracted by or quickly attracted to members of the opposite sex tend to be more successful in a men’s-only program. It’s important to be completely honest with yourself when choosing which one to go with. 

Men who have a history of violence or physically, emotionally, or sexually abusing women should choose a gender-specific sober living home. These are just some of the factors that dictate whether a gender-specific or coed living home is better. At the end of the day, both men and women have their own experiences and expectations when it comes to sober living. 

An Addiction Counselor Can Help You Decide

An addiction counselor or other mental health professional can help you choose the right sober living home for your needs and preferences. Whether you choose a coed or gender-specific sober living program, the most important thing is to focus on your recovery. During your stay, you will develop healthy, mutually respectful relationships with all of your sober living housemates.

If you are having trouble deciding, one of Casa Nuevo Vida’s dedicated staff will be by your side throughout the journey. We’ll help you choose the program that is best for you and fits your needs. There are a lot of factors that need to be taken into account when choosing a sober living home. Remember you are not alone in your struggles. Now is the time to get comprehensive help for you and your family. 

Choose Casa Nuevo Vida for Sober Living 

Sober Living homes can be the perfect stepping stone for those recovering from addiction. It can be rather overwhelming to transition back into society smoothly. This is where a quality sober living home comes in. Living in a therapist’s and open environment can set you up for long-term sobriety. Whether you choose coed sober living homes or if you choose gender-specific homes, doing nothing is not an option. 

Sober Living homes are also crucial for those who think they may relapse or have had treatment in the past. There is no shame in falling back a few steps but taking the right precautions for long-term sobriety is important. Sober living homes in Los Angeles and across the country can help you stay sober and keep you accountable for your actions. 

At Casa Nuevo Vida, we are dedicated to making sure you get to a better place in life with quality treatment and options. Don’t hesitate to contact us today to learn more about our treatment options and Sober living homes in Los Angeles. 


References:

  1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK83257/
  2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3057870/