If you notice your child is struggling with drug addiction and mental health and are considering treatment options, there are plenty of programs to choose from. You may want to consider individual therapy, outpatient programs, or even inpatient treatment programs like detox and rehab. While these are great programs and often a necessary first step, you may also want to look into other options such as structured sober living.
What Is A Sober Living?
A sober living is a safe housing environment for people struggling with drug abuse where they are given the necessary tools and support to maintain sobriety. There are many types of sober living homes out there to choose from, for instance, gender-specific, age-specific, co-ed, and structured sober living. The overall length of sober living varies, some will have people stay for three months, six months, a year, or however long they need until they are ready to live on their own.
Types Of Sober Living Programs
Within the realm of addiction treatment, there is a variety of different programs across all levels of care. This doesn’t exclude sober living programs. Here are some of the different types of sober living homes:
Age-Specific Sober Living
- Helps residents feel more comfortable with people their own age.
- Residents are at similar stages in life and can relate to each other.
- Specifically with young adults, being surrounded by other people their age opens the door for long-lasting relationships to form.
Gender-Specific Sober Living
- Limits distractions that individuals may experience when immersed with the opposite sex.
- For men in particular, gender-specific homes enhance the feeling of brotherhood and community.
Co-Ed Sober Living
- Can be problematic due to distractions.
- Focus can shift away from recovery and towards relationships or validation.
What is Structured Sober Living?
Structured sober living homes are different from other programs in many ways. Some sober living facilities have no structure which means very few rules other than don’t drink or get high and be home by curfew. While this option can be beneficial for some, too much freedom can be detrimental for young adults and increase the risk of potential relapse. A structured environment will limit the risks associated with early sobriety, encourage participation in support groups, and provide opportunities to engage in other forms of addiction treatment.
Benefits of Structured Sober Living Homes
Most individuals who struggle with addiction lack structure in their lives. That may look like staying up all night and sleeping all day, living in a filthy room from which they never leave, refusing to get a job, or being unable to keep a job. Structure can make a huge difference, especially in the early stages of recovery from a substance abuse problem. Here are some benefits of a structured sober environment:
- A daily routine that residents follow every day.
- Precise rules to follow and teach consistency.
- Accountability from staff members and other residents.
- Consistent support from staff and peers.
- Academic guidance to continue school or pursue new endeavors.
- Provides a solid foundation in early recovery.
- Family involvement to work on relationships and regain trust.
- A vibrant community full of alumni who have achieved long-term recovery.
What is Accountability?
Accountability is if a resident were to disobey one of the rules at a sober living home, they would be held accountable by staff members or peers who would call them out on their misbehavior. This reinforces the idea that there are consequences that come along with certain actions. To a certain extent, breaking house rules will render insignificant consequences compared to breaking the law or policies at work. Structured sober living homes make sure that residents take a look at their recovery in a more serious manner.
Does Structured Sober Living Work?
Structured sober living homes can make a huge difference when it comes to achieving long-term sobriety. They provide a supportive environment while residents go through the challenges associated with early recovery and addiction treatment. Structured sober living offers an opportunity for individuals to take the time necessary to get their lives back on track. This may include limiting access to old friends so they can focus on recovery. In addition, it is encouraged that residents meet certain program requirements such as getting a job so they can pay rent, attending recovery-related meetings, and providing support to other residents that are newer in the program. The goal of these requirements is to encourage self-discipline and allow individuals to see the benefits of living responsibly.
What Else Can A Sober Living Provide?
- A structured setting for your loved one to overcome substance abuse.
- A sober environment requires residents to stay sober by taking random drug and alcohol tests.
- A community of people that you can always depend on, even after completing the program.
- Knowledge of budgeting and how to keep a stable income.
Why New Life House?
New Life has been around since 1985 and has helped generations of young men conquer their addiction and achieve long-term sobriety. We place an emphasis on character development, peer support, family involvement, and building a strong community. Staying sober isn’t easy, however, seeking treatment and committing to a structured sober living will improve the chances of a successful recovery. Here are some aspects of our program that make us stand out from the rest:
- Family visitation is encouraged for parents and other family members. This can include going out to lunch with them, playing mini golf, or even meeting at the house to catch up and see how they’re living.
- Structure provides residents with a normal routine to better their mental health and focus on recovery.
- Educational help allows residents to sign up for college classes to get their degree, or if still in high school, to get a GED. Many of our residents have graduated high school within the house and or have earned their GED.
- Community provides your loved ones with life-long relationships and sets residents up with a solid foundation to stay sober after completing the program.
- Outpatient programs provide tools for residents to overcome drug use and co-occurring disorders with regular therapy sessions, group sessions, and mental health medications if necessary.
- Alumni programming ensures that residents provide support to each other and encourages ongoing accountability as young men graduate from the program and re-integrate back into society.
- Family programming incorporates family therapy and family involvement. Addiction is a family disease and it’s important to address how everyone may have been affected by their loved ones addiction.
Seek Addiction Treatment
It can be challenging to overcome substance use disorder, however, seeking treatment is a vital step that takes courage. Structured sober living provides a safe environment where individuals are given the time and space they need to turn their lives around and learn to live life sober. If you or a loved one is struggling with drug and alcohol abuse and cannot seem to stop, call New Life House to learn more about our structured sober living program in Los Angeles.
Last Updated on October 6, 2023
