The Full Sober Living Rehab Experience

Many people consider sober living to be the stop after an intensive, inpatient treatment program. Once the recovering addict has gleaned some new life skills, tools, and healthy habits from a dedicated team of treatment professionals, he is typically ready to re-enter the world, albeit with the structure offered by sober living. But what about those for whom a stay in a primary care facility (inpatient) is not necessary or feasible? The truth is, some people just don’t need inpatient care. For example, if someone does not require a medical detox and has only been addicted for a short while, why not consider trying out sobriety in a sober living rehab rather than wasting time and money in an inpatient program? This, of course, is NOT to say that inpatient treatment isn’t valuable, but instead to suggest that, for some, checking into a sober living (where curfews and drug testing are enforced) can be more than enough to start them on their road(s) to recovery.
What To Look for In A Quality Sober Living Home
If you, as a chemically dependent individual, are considering a sober living home as your first stop along the road to recovery, there are a few things you should look for when selecting a sober house:
*Drug testing. How often do they drug test clients? Is it scheduled or random testing? The answers you want
are frequently & randomly. This way, it is unlikely that clients can get away with relapsing.
*Relapse rate. Are other people in the house staying sober? Does the staff/manager enforce consequences for those who relapse? Living with other sober folk is vital for an addict in early sobriety. You should look for a home where fellow clients are motivated & “working a program” (i.e., trying to better themselves.) Relapse should not be condoned.
* 12-Step integration. Is meeting attendance required and encouraged? It is absolutely proven those who remain close, active members of 12-step groups are up to five times more likely to stay sober than those who do not participate in such groups, so look for a home that asks its residents to attend meetings at least three times a week.
* Curfew & Schedule. Is there a reasonable, nightly curfew in place? Does the house require attendance of any groups during the day, or at least require that clients be up and out of bed at a certain time? Regimen and structure, which most addicts hate, is so essential to building a healthy, drug-free life, so a sober living home that believes in a schedule will be most appropriate.
Less Structure, More Amenities: Choosing An Executive Sober Home
As I have tried to make clear already, the more structure a newly sober addict/alcoholic has in place for himself, the better his chances are at maintaining his sobriety. That said, though, there are certainly circumstances where rigid structure and heavy discipline aren’t appropriate. For busy, high-powered executives seeking treatment, being able to further their careers while in sober living can help them to feel like their new, sober lives are worthwhile. Here, curfews, mandatory house meetings, and strict daily schedules are not helpful. The CEO or politician in rehab needs rules regarding where he must be & when to be flexible. If this genuinely applies to you, consider moving into an executive sober home rather than a traditional sober living. Here, you will be able to recover in the flexible, luxurious environment you are used to.