The path to sobriety can be both long and challenging. This is why people are strongly encouraged to seek help all throughout the various stages of this journey. Recovering addicts with the highest rates of success tend to be individuals who are diligent in their efforts to choose healthy and supportive living environments. Whether you’re just beginning drug or alcohol addiction treatment or have recently completed an intensive, inpatient program, learning how to maintain a sober lifestyle is essential. With the right sober living plan, it’s possible to avoid all of the most common stumbling-blocks and setbacks.
For many, the best way to maintain a sober lifestyle after drug or alcohol rehab is by taking up residence in a sober living house. This is a facility that’s designed to provide the targeted guidance and support for those who have already completed the detox process, and who’ve already received counseling and other forms of early addiction treatment. Sober living homes provide a stable living space for those who are reentering the outside world. From helping clients mitigate the risk of relapse to assisting in the development of essential life skills and solid life plans, sober living homes offer a wealth of benefits for those seeking to avoid relapse as they return to work, work training, and other aspects of their pre-treatment lives.
Why Finding The Right Living Environment Is So Important
The first and most important step in maintaining lifelong sobriety is finding the right living environment after an inpatient program has been completed. Even with ample and diverse forms of outpatient support, people who wind up living or working in toxic or stressful environments post-treatment are often at serious risk of relapse. When exiting inpatient treatment, many recovering addicts are simply not ready for the challenges that old homes, neighborhoods, and former associations present. Unhealthy relationships and other factors greatly increase the likelihood of temptation, encountering substance abuse triggers, and eventual relapse. This is the top reason why sober living houses are so widely recommended. These homes can be located in areas that allow people to reenter the mainstream world with fresh, clean slates and absent of any negative associations. Those who live in them can begin building positive and meaningful relationships, gaining important life skills, and establishing short and long-term goals. Given the greater levels of independence that sober living provides, people can work, return to college, handle important legal matters, and more. Ultimately, this is the final step in developing a completely independent and ultimately sustainable life.
Recognize The Warning Signs Of A Potential Relapse
Surprisingly, relapse is often something that occurs over the space of several days or even weeks. Many people notice their thoughts and feelings slowly changing, and find themselves dealing with mood swings, cravings and temptations, along with altered behaviors. All of these developments can be considered a natural part of the recovery effort. However, whenever they rear their heads, these warning signs should prompt recovering addicts to seek help immediately. A potential relapse is most likely to occur when:
- Stress levels rise and remain high for any extended period of time
- People become too sleepy, hungry, or emotionally overwhelmed to manage their thoughts, actions, and feelings effectively
- People find themselves in circumstances in which substance use appears to be the best solution for moderating their discomfort or pain
Residents of sober living facilities can always turn to each other when dealing with temptations, cravings, and triggers. These spaces are highly supportive environments that are filled with like-minded individuals who share similar values, struggles, and life goals. Residents can also speak with onsite managers and counselors, and they can additionally receive referrals to outside mental health professionals and other support services.
Rejoin The Outside World At Your Own Comfortable Pace
In many ways, sober living extends the benefits of inpatient treatment by allowing for a gradual and individualized approach to reentering the mainstream. People who live in these spaces enjoy a careful blend of freedom and responsibility. Sober living homes have fair and clearly defined rules that exist to protect the well-being of all residents. They also function as safe, supportive spaces in which all parties make a collaborative effort to support everyone’s journey to wellness. These homes frequently host group and private counseling sessions. They additionally provide life-planning assistance and help their clients identify important social services and resources.
If you are preparing to exit inpatient treatment or if you’re looking for more structure and stability in your outpatient treatment plan, a sober living house may be right for you. Are you ready to start living a sober lifestyle? To find out how to become a sober living resident, call us now at 954-523-1167