Living sober can be a life-changing experience for young men recovering from substance abuse disorders and drug addictions. Sober living prevents drug use and helps to avoid relapse for young men straight out of rehab.
Yet, achieving sobriety can seem very scary and challenging when you attempt to go it alone. Suppose you feel like you are not prepared or ready to return home or resume your normal routines after getting sober. Then, you can continue maintaining your sobriety by moving into a sober living home.
What Is Sober Living?
Sober living is a home that is often residential, where those recovering from addiction can live while they continue working their program. Some people may also move into a sober living home when seeking outpatient rehab just to have the stability of a sober environment where they can live without the temptations of drugs.
Depending on your needs, there are many types of sober living homes and sober living home program options. Ideally, you want to look for a home that provides residency for specific age groups and genders.
For instance, most young men tend to do better at maintaining their sobriety and avoiding drug use when surrounded by other young men around the same age. This type of setting provides access to support peers who understand exactly what you are going through. Not to mention, it opens up opportunities to form life-long friendships with others who want to continue to live sober.
Why Does Sober Living Prevent Drug Use?
Sober living prevents drug use and relapse by giving you more education on how to get back to your everyday routine. Most homes provide 24/7 access to resources, support, and guidance to encourage continued growth and recovery from addiction, including:
- Access to Onsite Addiction Specialists
- In-Home Group Sessions and Meetings
- Peer Support from Your Housemates
- Access to Alumni to Provide Encouragement
- Accountability for Your Sobriety
- Regular Drug Testing
- Facing the Consequences of Relapse
- Structured Environment
- Rules to Maintain a Sober Home
- Established Curfews
How Can a Sober Living Home Help Maintain My Sobriety?
A sober living home provides you with the opportunity to learn how to start living independently and productively addressing triggers and cravings. These life skills are essential to helping you maintain your sobriety.
For example, you can learn how to cook and prepare healthy and nutritious meals. You may have access to a nutritionist, as well as a fitness expert who can help you create a custom-tailored fitness routine to strengthen your body. Additionally, you often have access to counselors, therapists, and other health professionals to help you work through your fears of living sober.
As you start to become more independent, other opportunities begin to become possible, such as returning to school, undergoing vocational training, or finding a job. Most importantly, you should never feel like there is an “expiration date” on your residency in a sober living home.
The sober living home you choose should allow you to remain a resident for however long you feel necessary. It is entirely understandable some young men can progress faster than others. This largely has to do with several factors, including:
- Substances Abused
- Duration of the Addiction
- Co-Occurring Disorders
- Polydrug Abuse
- Age
- Family History
- Family Support
Benefits Gained from Sober Living
As you continue to gain confidence in your sobriety, you will notice other beneficial and meaningful changes occurring, such as:
- You look and feel healthier both emotionally and physically.
- You have renewed energy and strength.
- You build life-long friendships with your peers.
- You can start to repair the damage your addiction had on relationships with friends and family.
- You learn how to socialize in social settings without having to use drugs or alcohol.
- You will have a more positive outlook on life and your future.
- You gain the skills needed to care for yourself and your mental, emotional, and physical well-being.
Is a Sober Living Home Right for Me?
As you continue to discover how to prevent drug use and avoid relapse, you need to determine your next step in your recovery. To help you decide if a sober living home is right for you, ask yourself the following questions:
- Would returning home present too many temptations or triggers?
- Are there still unresolved family issues that caused your substance abuse?
- Does the thought of returning home seem overwhelming or stressful or make you feel anxious?
- Are you still in the early stages of recovery?
- Have you tried living sober and continue to relapse?
- Do you want to continue to develop coping skills to deal with triggers?
- Do you want to learn how to become independent?
- Do you feel like you would be judged harshly by family or friends aware of your addiction and do not know how to respond to this?
- Are you looking for a caring, supportive, safe, and secure environment, free of judgment?
If you answer yes to one or more of these questions, then moving into a sober living home is right for you.
Get Into Sober Living to Prevent Drug Use In Los Angeles
Do you want to know more about how sober living prevents drug use and relapse after starting recovery? By moving into a sober living home for young men at New Life House in Los Angeles you will get more support and help with your recovery journey. Our facility has several homes in the area, including Redondo Beach, each designed for specific age groups.
Our sober living homes can help you continue to work on your sobriety and offer a wide range of options to help you learn how to become and live independent while maintaining your sobriety. For further information about how moving into one of our sober living homes can help prevent drug use, please feel free to contact us today!
Last Updated on September 12, 2024
