Sober Living Home a Good Idea When Leaving Rehab

Sober Living Home A Good Idea When Leaving Rehab

When leaving an alcohol or drug treatment facility you are going to want to seriously consider relocating yourself to a sober living home. Having just completed a drug or alcohol rehabilitation program you most likely feel you are ready to change the way you live your life and move forward in a new direction; but trying to do so in the environment where you were engaging in those self destructive behavioral activities would most likely be a mistake. Making the positive changes in your life should begin with a new place to live. It is called a CLEAN slate for a reason.
Alcohol and drug addiction recovery is about initiating positive, pro active change in your life and how you live it. Many alcoholics and drug addicts believe that the definition of insanity is to do the same thing over and over expecting a different result each time. To get a different result you need to change what you do. It certainly can’t hurt to change where you do it as well, because where you lived is one of your most basic “things” that you need to change.
There are two things you need to do when you leave rehab. First, you should go to Alcoholics Anonymous meetings. Rehab taught you the importance of surrounding yourself with others in the recovery community. Go to AA and meet your fellow recovering addicts. The second thing you need to do is live with others in recovery and to under no circumstances live alone. Repeat: Do not live alone. The best place to meet others who are new to the road to recovery is by moving in to a sober living home.
Sober living homes will all have one common element: Zero tolerance for drug and alcohol use. Not only you, but NO ONE will be consuming drugs or alcohol which will give you a buffer zone as you learn to live with your addiction in an environment less structured than rehab. You will also most likely be surrounded by others who are new to sobriety like you. These people can help supply valuable support as well as letting you know you are not alone.
When choosing a sober living home there are many things to consider. First and foremost is who is running the house. You are going to want to feel comfortable around him, certain that he is honest and stable. And sober. Inquire about the house rules and what happens when they are broken. Some sober living homes will ask you to leave upon the first relapse; others will give you a second chance provided you prove to them it will not happen again. It should go without saying that there will be NO alcohol or drug use by you or any of the residents and staff. Ask anyway.
You’ll also want to ask about the homes other rules and policies. Some have more than just the no drugs or alcohol rule. Many require that you give up tobacco in any form, attend church, keep a tight lip on profanity, and most common attend 90 AA meetings in 90 days. You’ll want to know these rules ahead of time so you can decide which sober house is best for you.
Consider also the house itself. Is there sufficient room for you that you won’t feel crowded? Is the house kept up and kept clean? In a men only sober living environment things can get a bit messy. You want to pick a place where you feel comfortable.
Finally, if you can you should meet the people who are already living there. These people are going to not just be your peer group, but also your support structure. And you are going to be theirs. Working towards a healthy, sane, and sober life requires not just that you help yourself, but that there be others there to help you should you stumble.
To Learn more about our Sober Living Homes visit The Bridges Of San Diego.