What is Sober Living?
Sober living homes–also referred to as halfway houses–such as ours in Los Angeles are residential homes that provide a drug and alcohol-free environment for people in early recovery. These sober living homes often serve as a transitional program for individuals who have completed an inpatient treatment program or who are enrolled in an outpatient treatment program so that they can build their toolkit of life skills to ensure long-term success in recovery. Sober living homes provide the necessary support, encouragement, and safety helpful for recovery.
When young people complete their stay at the sober living home, they are encouraged to return to support the newer members, hence making the new members’ transition into the structured program smoother. Giving rides, sponsorship, attending meetings, events, parties, and conferences together create a community of support a young adult needs to achieve long-lasting sobriety.
Why is a Sober Living Home So Important?
A sober living home allows an individual struggling with addiction to be supported and encouraged throughout their recovery process. A recovery community and peer support is essential for achieving long-term sobriety. The early stages of recovery can be emotionally and physically challenging. Deciding to get sober, and stay sober, is no easy feat, thus there will be bad days. A recovery community provides the necessary encouragement and support for an individual to overcome challenges that may arise during this time.
Moving the young adult battling addiction from their old community is important when building a solid foundation in recovery so that they can start fresh in a new community of individuals and eliminate any triggers or temptations that come with being close to the location that they were using in. Established structured sober living provides a distraction-free environment without having to pass by the dealer’s house, endure toxic relationships, or be tempted to party.
How Long do you Stay in Sober Living?
The duration of the program will vary. Some sober living homes offer 1 to 3-month-long programs while others offer 12 months or 18-month-long programs. Many individuals in early recovery feel overwhelmed, and the risk of relapse is at its highest. The longer an individual stays in a safe, structured, and drug and alcohol-free environment, the more support they have. The duration of treatment varies among the unique needs of each individual. However, it is highly recommended that teens and young adults remain in a sober living home for at least a year to a year and a half. This offers teens and young adults the best chance at achieving emotional and physical recovery from addiction.
Peer Grouping
Unlike other rehab aftercare centers and sober living homes, New Life Hosue uses a peer-grouping method that helps those in recovery connect with individuals going through the same life experiences. Peer grouping means creating sober living houses geared towards specific age groups so the young men can better relate with one another. This creates a strong support system when grouping individuals with similar commonalities together who are at similar points in their lives. Peer grouping is built on powerful friendships that help to facilitate recovery and long-term, quality sobriety, and we find this support system extends far beyond the walls of our sober living houses.
Friendships And Unity in Sober Living
When there is a strong bond among house members, the chance for long-term sobriety success is significantly increased. Thanks to peer grouping, friendships made in the houses last long after graduation from our sober living homes. A like-minded support group is essential for long-term success in any type of program that encourages permanent change. Staying sober is not just about abstinence from drugs and alcohol–it is about addressing the emotional underlying issues. It is also about learning healthy habits and embracing a new life, free from substances.
Our sober living houses in Southern California encourage house members to share with each other and develop relationships that can give them strength through the trials and tribulations that arise throughout sobriety. House members draw strength from each other during and long after their stay at our sober living homes. We are much more than just a sober living home with members who are friends–we are a family.
The Benefits of Sober Living in California
- Sober living acts as a transition from detox or inpatient to regular home life.
- Residing at a sober living home reduces the risk of relapse in early recovery.
- Residents receive support from others in the recovery community.
- Residents are held accountable for their actions and behaviors.
- Our residents adhere to a structured schedule that helps sobriety.
- Residents are subject to random drug testing that helps to ensure abstinence from drugs or alcohol.
- Residents learn and develop helpful tools to achieve long-term recovery.
- The residents are able to reside in a safe environment, free of drugs or alcohol.
- Residents are able to focus on their recovery rather than regular daily responsibilities.
- Residents are able to develop healthy relationships and repair damaged interpersonal and familial relationships.
The following are the main aims of sober living for young addicts:
Addressing the Addiction: A sober living home provides a safe environment for residents to address their drug or alcohol addiction under the guidance of trained professionals. In this environment, they can identify and address triggers that may occur during this transitional period in their recovery.
Support and Understanding: A sober living home for young adults is comprised of other young adolescent males who are recovering from addiction. This environment provides an opportunity for them to receive support and understanding without judgment.
Addressing Underlying Issues: The drug or alcohol addiction an individual is suffering from is rarely an isolated issue. There are generally underlying factors that have contributed to substance abuse. Anxiety, depression, and trauma are just a few factors that can lead to the development of addiction. A sober living home allows the resident to identify and address these issues in a safe environment.
A Sense of Community: Loneliness and isolation contribute to the development of addiction and are often a consequence of one’s addiction. A sober living home reduces loneliness and isolation by providing a sense of community. The understanding and support found in a sober living home is crucial for achieving long-term recovery.
Eliminating Risk: In early recovery, cravings and triggers often consume those fighting addiction. Sober living homes go to great lengths to ensure alcohol and drugs will not be on the premises. Random drug tests ensure residents are abiding by house rules. This helps to protect the safety of the residents and helps to eliminate risks and temptations.
Gaining Independence and Becoming Responsible: A sober living home is a transitional period in the recovery process. Residents are able to gain a sense of independence and begin to become responsible members of society. Although most sober living homes implement a structured schedule, many residents are able to attend school and work while residing there. Having a safe place to return home to is vital in the recovery process.
Holding Each Other Accountable: A major component of a sober living home is for the residents to not only hold themselves accountable but others as well. Additionally, this helps develop a community based on the principles of honesty and integrity.
Repairing Damaged Relationships: Young adults in early recovery often struggle with personal and familial relationships. Learning to form meaningful relationships and repairing damaged relationships is something that is addressed in sober living homes.
What is New Life House?
New Life House is a structured sober living in Southern California for young men in Los Angeles. We also serve Poway, Torrance, and Carmel Valley. Our locations on the sunny coast of Los Angeles are ideal for relaxation and recovery. Furthermore, Southern California has a strong sober community wherein our residents can feel motivated and supported by peers throughout their recovery journey.
While residing with us, young men live within a safe and supportive atmosphere where they can begin to utilize the 12-Step program of Alcoholics Anonymous in their daily lives. Unlike traditional sober living houses, New Life House is tailored to work specifically with young men. We believe this gender-specific and peer-based support network allows men to create meaningful relationships with others they can relate to and identify with.
Healing within like-minded communities is essential for a young man’s recovery from addiction. Having a support system and sober friends aids with the difficulty young adults face in today’s social climate. Participating in a community of like-minded men helps to keep them from social scenes such as bars, nightclubs, and house parties where alcohol and drugs can be easily accessed.
Leading Structured Sober Living Community in Southern California for Over 30 Years
Since 1985, New Life sober living in California has been helping young men cultivate a way of living they can be proud of. With the help of our program structure, caring staff, loving community, and decades of experience, we can build something beautiful—together.
Overcome Substance Abuse in California.
We believe that the cessation of drugs and alcohol is only a start, a mere foundation. With almost 4 decades of experience we’ve fine-tuned a process that caters to each individual’s long-term success, far beyond our doors. New Life House is more than just a name—it’s a promise.
Find Your Recovery Community at New Life House.
The spirit of the New Life sober living in California is something you won’t want to miss. At first glance, you’ll feel the love and camaraderie that pervades these young men. Their care for one another, even long after they leave, is unparalleled. Real. True. Love. It’s the backbone of everything we do.
Learn the history of New Life house and what makes us special.Get to know our dedicated team members who help every step of the way.Visit our tour page to view our various facilities as well as amenities.Download a PDF version of our brochure to print offline.
Tour of our Sober Living in Southern California
Los Angeles is a fantastic place for recovery, but a nice house doesn’t hurt. Each home offers a fun, comfortable and safe place where residents can grow together. Click here to take a look inside!
Sober Living Home Staff in California
An important feature of sober living rehab aftercare is the hands-on support from professionals who have years of experience in the field. New Life House directors and managers are sober and in recovery themselves. This allows them to impart valuable advice and support to young men currently going through the houses.
The managers and directors spend a great deal of time with each house member, checking in with them, discussing their goals, fears, and decisions. We believe that it takes the personal experience of someone who has recovered from drug abuse to know what it takes to break the cycle of substance abuse and identify with the individual. This personal connection can make all the difference in the world when it comes to learning to live a healthy lifestyle in sobriety.
Family Support at our Southern California Sober Living
The goal at each of our sober living houses is to help our members maintain their sobriety when they graduate from one of our sober living houses. Our dedication to the 12-Step program and peer grouping ensures all house members have the tools and emotional resources required to continue staying sober and healthy despite challenges encountered after leaving our houses. Friends and family of house members are encouraged to learn about the structure and philosophies of our sober living in order to help their loved ones continue to use these tools on the outside. Staying sober is a lifelong process that starts at New Life House.
New Life House Blog
When you discover your son or daughter is addicted to drugs or alcohol, it’s normal to feel alone, isolated, and frustrated. Our recovery blog for families is here to provide information, support, and guidance during the rocky road of a loved one’s addiction. Let us share our experience, strength, and hope with you!