Sober living involves a willingness to accept that it will take one day at a time. It also means actively pursuing a purpose in life. There is more to the question, “What is sober living?” than just abstaining from drugs and alcohol.
Here at Casa Nuevo Vida, we know that sober living does not happen overnight. However, it becomes easier when you are in an environment that is supportive of your recovery. Casa Nuevo Vida recovery homes are warm, nurturing places–ideal for people who are looking to start or continue a sober life.
What Is A Sober Living Facility?
Also commonly referred to as a halfway house, a sober living facility is typically reserved for those who have completed addiction treatment. Sober living facilities are typically group homes where someone can go as they transition into their new sober life. Like you would in a normal home, sober homes allow for people to come and go as they please during the day.
Like you would in any other environment, those living in a sober home are responsible for paying rent as well as covering their own incidentals and having a job. Where sober homes differentiate themselves from regular homes is with certain rules and restrictions that sober living facilities have such as curfews and random drug testing.
While anyone who has completed treatment can enter a sober home, sober living facilities are designed for those that either have nowhere to live once they complete treatment or those who don’t want to return home because it is not a supportive environment.
What Are the Benefits of Sober Living?
The ultimate goal of rehab and recovery is to live and clean and sober life. However, that’s easier said than done. Many people get out of rehab and return right back to their old lives right away including all their old temptations. It can be tough to remain sober when you are in an environment surrounded by drugs and alcohol. That’s why sober living facilities are so important. Below are some of the biggest benefits when it comes to one day at a time in sober living.
Maintaining Your Sobriety
Maintaining sobriety is not easy. It requires a lot of hard work and dedication, but it also requires the right environment for successful sobriety. When you’re in early recovery, it can be a struggle to maintain sobriety if you head straight back to the life you had before recovery.
This is where sober living houses come in. A sober living house is a great place for clients to begin their sober recovery process after they get out of rehab.
Having completed a stay in a rehabilitation center is an achievement. While there is reason to be proud, it is also the most difficult part of recovery. Transitioning from rehab to home can also be one of the most difficult parts of the journey because it means going back to familiar temptations.
A Safe Rehab Environment
During rehabilitation, patients are surrounded by people who share similar goals for sobriety. There are people to talk to, and support is always available. There are very few responsibilities so that clients can focus on their goal of being sober. A rehab environment fosters a completely sober life by surrounding clients with everything they need and protecting them from temptation and triggers.
However, this is not the case in the real world. Once treatment ends, it can be difficult to be out on your own without the support you’ve become accustomed to.
By entering a sober living home, you can continue to be in an environment that promotes sober living. Since everyone that is there is there for the same reason, everyone shares the same goal of sobriety. This allows you to build a support system out in the “real world” just like you did when you were in treatment.
Transitioning Back To A Normal Life
When someone succumbs to drug and alcohol addiction, their life gets flipped upside down. They begin to neglect their responsibilities such as school and work. They also begin to neglect themselves as well. As a result, they almost have to relearn how to live a normal life.
Sober living homes allow for these people to transition back into normal life while still providing the support needed to remain sober. They are responsible for getting a job as well as other daily activities such as paying rent, doing laundry, going grocery shopping, and all the other “mundane” tasks that are apart of everyday life.
What’s the Difference Between a Sober Living Home and a Treatment Center?
A sober living home is not the same as a treatment center. Rehabilitation centers offer intensive programs that follow strict rules. A sober living home is an option for those who have just completed a stay in rehab and want to continue receiving sobriety support, those who are not comfortable with the idea of staying in a rehabilitation center, or those who simply cannot afford the cost associated with rehab.
One of the biggest differences between a sober living home and a rehab center is freedom. While staying in an inpatient treatment center, the person is required to stay at the facility for the duration of their treatment. They are not allowed to come and go as they please and, depending on the facility, are limited when it comes to technology use and visitation. At a halfway house, it is largely treated as any other home setting would. The person has a job, can come and go as they please, and lives a relatively normal life, with certain exceptions.
How Do Our Sober Living Homes Work?
A sober living home is a residence that offers former alcohol and drug users a place to start practicing their recovery skills. Sober living homes provide residential facilities that have no alcohol or drugs on the premises. This includes things like alcoholic mouthwash, aftershave, cold medicine, painkillers, and even vanilla extract. The goal is to completely remove all sources of temptation from the environment. This ensures that residents have the best chances of maintaining their sobriety.
Residents are regularly tested for drugs and alcohol. At Casa Nuevo Vida, we have a zero-tolerance approach to drug or alcohol use. If a resident is found in possession of drugs or alcohol, or if they test positive for either, then they will be asked to leave immediately. The zero-tolerance rule must be enforced to safeguard the sober environment of the other residents.
Here at Casa Nuevo Vida, our sober living residences are located in a quiet neighborhood. Our homes are subdivided into separate sleeping quarters with communal living environments. Living communally allows residents to take strength and support from one another as they progress toward an independent life of sobriety.
All residents have daily assigned chores to help them rebuild their life skills and take on responsibility. Also, all residents are expected to either work or be actively seeking employment.
Our sober living homes also provide counseling and group meetings to help support our residents in their quest to maintain sobriety. Residents are required to attend 12-step meetings. Failure to attend a meeting can be cause for dismissal. There are also other guidelines, such as keeping things clean and being home by curfew. Failure to maintain the house rules can result in punishments ranging from paying a fine to expulsion from the house.
Why Should I Consider Sober Living?
If you are serious about lasting sobriety, allow us to show you how an encouraging environment and the support of others can help. Sober living is a process. With our recovery homes and treatment programs, you can immerse yourself in a positive and encouraging environment while developing skills that will be your keys to a new life.
While a majority of our transitional living residences are designed for people with lower incomes, we offer a wide range of sober living houses. Our upscale residences have the same guidelines as that of a traditional sober house, but they offer residents additional amenities like massage therapists, spas, pools, private chefs, and hot tubs.
People generally live in our sober living residences for at least 90 days before they are ready to move out. Some people stay up to a year, but residents are not permitted to stay for more than a year. When residents are fully adjusted to a life of sobriety, they are most likely through the transitional living stage and are ready to move on to full independence.
Getting sober is a fantastic beginning. The real healing follows through our program at Casa Nuevo Vida. If you are ready for a life that is defined by complete emotional, mental, spiritual, and physical healing, let Casa Nuevo Vida help you build a solid foundation for lasting recovery.
Are You Interested in Sober Living?
At Casa Nuevo Vida we know that the road to recovery doesn’t end once you leave rehab. That’s why we provide a sober living for those that need help with the transition process. If you or someone you know could benefit from staying at a sober living facility, contact us today.