Doing so can help ensure that sober housing is regulated and residents are treated fairly. Returning to daily life after completing a drug or alcohol rehab program can be extremely challenging, especially for someone who lacks stable, substance-free housing. The early stages of recovery are often full of challenges, such as finding a job, establishing a sober community, and dealing with all the stress and anxiety of daily life.

Today, sober houses are “free-standing,” independently owned and operated. They’re not licensed by an official body, nor do they provide licensed professional services onsite. Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) originated in the 1930s and provided the steppingstones for sober housing by requiring strict sobriety, participation in the community, peer support, and a 12-step program. However, AA did little to address housing needs for its participants as they worked through the program.

House Rules in Sober Houses

If you live in a recovery house, you may either have your own room or share one with a roommate. Most of the time, residents share communal spaces, like kitchens, living rooms, and backyards. Many of us are pretty familiar with inpatient rehab at this point, and outpatient programs aren’t too hard to wrap your head around. But understanding how sober living homes work is a little bit tougher of a task for some of us.

Under current New Jersey law, the home was not required to notify her, as Ms. Herrera’s son was an adult. However, Ms. Herrera made the point that if her son had diabetes and went into a diabetic shock, she would have been notified. A drug relapse can be just as deadly as a relapse of other chronic conditions and yet she was not advised of this fact.

What is a Sober Living Home?

It can also help individuals hone their coping skills, learn how to communicate effectively, and trust themselves. In our comprehensive guide, we share the truth about sober living homes, including what it is like living in a sober house and how it factors into the long-term recovery process. Many people develop meaningful and fulfilling relationships with their roommates. While there isn’t an exact length of time that everyone should stay in one of these programs, you definitely shouldn’t leave before you’re ready. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, 90 days of treatment is a fair general starting point for people beginning a recovery journey, regardless of treatment type. However, this is dependent on the type of substance use disorder at hand, and NIDA also recommends longer treatment for seeing lasting positive results.

• Alba Herrera, of New Jersey, would implicitly agree with the latter proposition.
• Over the years, sober living houses have evolved to meet the needs of those in recovery.
• There will be a chore list available for all residents so that there is no confusion about who is responsible for what.
• During early sobriety, young people are highly vulnerable to triggers.

There are also several sober living homes run by religious groups, private organizations, or businesses. When looking into sober living in your area, you have to consider a few things—such as cost, amenities, and house rules specific to each facility. It is also expected that alcohol will be prohibited at any sober living facility. Even if the facility is not one that deals with alcohol dependency, the presence of alcohol can be a trigger for many patients.

Sober Living Homes and Halfway Houses Near Me

Many people benefit from residing in a sober living house after completing treatment, but you don’t have to make this decision alone. Specific nuances of each rule depend on the sober living home or manager. As you’re searching for the environment that’s right for you, ask each potential recovery home what their rules are.

A great way to find a sober living house in your area is first to explore your network. Not all sober living homes are equal, so finding a place that an acquaintance has recommended https://curiousmindmagazine.com/selecting-the-most-suitable-sober-house-for-addiction-recovery/ could be helpful. Going to a sober living house has been proven to support sobriety efforts, with results ranging from a decreased amount of relapses to long-term sobriety.

Contact North Jersey Recovery Center today to learn more about what life is like living in a sober living home in northern New Jersey. We host nightly “family” dinners, weekly meetings, and regular outings to create an environment that promotes cohesive unity. The brotherhood between house members empowers everyone to walk through tribulations with much-needed support, and to meet our high standards. Here’s a list of basic sober living rules that many homes enforce. The National Association of Addiction Treatment Providers is a nonprofit professional society designed to offer support to organizations across the continuum of care.

Many men and women will live in a sober house for three to six months, even up to a year, while they build the skills and character to confidently live independently. At the most basic level, sober living house rules and regulations are put into place in order to keep the residents drug-free, safe and ensure everyone can live in a respectful & peaceful environment. Read below the 12 most common sober living facility rules for success and long-term sobriety. After successful completion of an inpatient or outpatient drug treatment program, a recovering substance abuser will need an effective aftercare strategy to maintain sobriety.