Sober Living: Transition to Your New Life

Social Connection

Living with others who know the struggles of addiction can build life long bonds. As we learn ways to cope and stay sober, we can help others learn as well. With common intention comes strength. In sober living we can help each other get to 12 step meetings, provide advice or a caring ear, and also share the joys of sobriety. Studies have found that living at least 6 months in the supportive community structure of a sober living significantly decreases the chances that you will relapse. Support through community and personal connection gives us the stability we need.

 

Freedom from Triggers

Often, 30 or 60 days of drug rehab is just not enough. A lifetime of addictive behavior patterns do not go away magically. In sober living, there is distance between where we live now and where we used to live. A new environment away from old friends, dealers and familiar places can keep us from temptation as we heal and become stronger. With time and personal work, we can return home and not be tempted to take drugs or drink alcohol. Sober living gives us time away from distractions in a protected environment.

 

Continued Healing

It takes time to adjust to sobriety. Many of us did just about everything while drunk or high. How do we relate with others without drugs? How do we get a job and keep it without a glass of wine after a shift? How do we date? We can only learn how to do these things by doing them. Each time we make it through a work day and lay our head on the pillow sober, it is a victory and it makes us stronger. Living in a transitional setting where we have the support of others helps us make it through. And, with practice, we develop new habits and coping mechanisms. Having the time to relearn life in a sober setting is a luxury and a gift.

 

Structure

Having to do chores or being drug tested may not sound like fun, but they can be just what we need when we are newly sober. Most sober living arrangements require periodic drug testing to make sure everyone is staying sober. This is as much for your protection as it is for others. It can be a comfort to know that everyone you live with is staying away from drugs and alcohol. Knowing we are responsible for chores and going to meetings keeps us active and out of self-pity.

Many sober living houses require that you attend a certain number of twelve-step meetings per week. This insures that you are active in your recovery and not slipping back into old patterns. Having structure in our lives, especially in early recovery, keeps us active, conscious of our choices and, most importantly, sober.

 

Build a New Life

Drug addiction and alcoholism takes everything from us. Many of us had to lose our jobs, our homes and our families before we made the decision to go to drug rehab and get sober. After drug detox and drug rehab, we may need to start afresh. We need to get a job and learn to pay our bills on time. We need to rebuild relationships we have harmed along the way. We need to rebuild a sense of stability and learn to stay on course and honor our commitments. Sober living is the environment that helps us rebuild our lives. Often, sober living more affordable than renting an apartment alone. There are no deposits or credit checks. Many sober living houses can give you a ride to work and to twelve step meetings, so having a car isn’t necessary. Sober living is the perfect transitional living arrangement that allows you to “get back on your feet.”