Several factors determine length of stay, such as the severity of the addiction, a person’s history of substance abuse, their recovery progress, ability to follow rules and ability to pay rent. In NARR homes, the goal is to protect the health of all residents, not to punish the resident experiencing relapse. In Oxford Houses, individuals who relapse cannot return until they complete a 28-day rehab program or complete treatment and demonstrate an ability to continually attend support group meetings. In general, individuals with a history of vagrancy, incarceration or inadequate social support are at high risk of relapse. But sober living homes can be beneficial for anyone in recovery who does not have a supportive, substance-free environment to go home to.

• Acceptance to a sober living home means residents agree to the rules, schedules, and guidelines that support recovery.
• Then Design For Recovery gave Zach the gift of the opportunity to recover from a seemingly hopeless state of mind and body.
• Sober living homes in the U.S. aren’t covered by insurance and are often paid for out of pocket.
• The houses are run by residents and emphasize peer support as an essential component of recovery.
• Both Hamlett and Bresnihan said they know people at Kintock who told them a strip search like the one in 2014 was never conducted again at the facility, reinforcing their view that what happened that day was wrong.

For over 20 years Dr. Umhau was a senior clinical investigator at the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Apart from personal networks, broader crowdfunding efforts can also be beneficial. By sharing your story on platforms tailored for wider audiences, you can tap into the generosity of strangers moved by your commitment to recovery. A more extended period in an SLH means more time under a system of checks and balances.

Typical Day at a Sober Living Home

A 2006 study published in the American Journal of Public Health found that most Oxford House residents stayed more than a year, but some residents stayed more than three years. In other homes, counselors or case managers visit on a regular basis to provide in-home services. Former residents and treatment alumni may visit regularly to provide additional guidance and support. Your friends or family members may tempt you with alcohol or other drugs by consuming them in front of you. Strip searches in state prison were more respectful than the hallway strip search at the halfway house, Bresnihan said.

It is important to understand that these facilities are much more than places for sober people to sleep. Addiction experts recommend that anyone in sober living work actively to address sober house their addiction issues. To that end, many sober living home residents are enrolled in outpatient programs, receiving counseling, medication monitoring, and other services.

Common Sober Living House Rules and Regulations

Start by contacting the facility directly to set up an appointment to meet with the staff. Sober living homes often have an interview procedure before they take on new residents to ensure that residents are motivated and ready for this level of care. If you are not court-ordered or mandated to be in the residence, then you may leave the sober living home at any time. If you are paying to live at the residence and you leave before the contract ends, you may still be financially responsible for the length of time you agreed to stay. Each residence will have different rules about drug testing but may include both scheduled and random drug tests. It’s important to receive regular drug testing as it can help to keep residents accountable for their actions and encourage fellow residents in their recovery.

The time an individual spends in a sober living environment can vary, ranging from a few months to over a year, depending on their unique recovery journey. Most sober living homes are privately run and not government-funded, but financing options may be available. Some residents have family members or friends to help them pay for sober living. It can build self-esteem, teach residents about finances, and become responsible members of the community. Expectations include attending life skills training, community meetings, house meetings, and clinical and peer support services. A paid house manager, administrative staff, and certified peer recovery support staff are at level three.

Who Should Consider A Sober Living Home?

People who live in these types of sober living facilities are expected to be responsible for themselves. This is an important step in recovery because addiction may cause people to act in irresponsible ways, and the facility requires them to take responsibility for their room and board, etc. People living in sober homes usually have to pay their own rent, buy their own food, and do the same things they would do for themselves if they lived in a regular home. While some may be hungry to integrate back into society after a stint in a treatment program, there is an expectation that you will remain an active participant in the home and follow its rules. Some sober living houses may be placed in neighborhoods with high crime rates.

• My son Zachary was at his breaking point his mother and I had sent him to multiple rehabilitation centers and other sober livings.
• Some sober living facilities provide substance-free transitional housing for only men or only women, meaning men live with men and women live with women.
• In other homes, counselors or case managers visit on a regular basis to provide in-home services.
• An extended stay provides prolonged safety from external pressures and temptations, allowing individuals to fortify their resilience.

Oxford House facilities are the best examples of Level I sober living homes. The houses are run by residents and emphasize peer support as an essential component of recovery. Numerous studies have shown that most people who live in sober homes after attending treatment have low rates of relapse and are able to live productive lives. Sober living homes are realistic, cost-effective living environmentsr for people in recovery. The best facilities employ compassionate staff and enforce strict rules that support the recovery process.

Born from the pandemic, Animal House Sober Club in Bellevue still helping those in need

Design for Recovery provides structured sober living in Los Angeles, California. To join a sober living home while working full-time, you can communicate your job commitments during admission to ensure the house accommodates your needs. Many homes offer flexible schedules and understand the importance of maintaining employment. Additionally, sober living homes often support residents in balancing work, recovery meetings, and house commitments. Another study published in the same journal suggested that sober living homes can provide a supportive environment that helps individuals in recovery maintain sobriety and improve their overall quality of life.