How Do Sober Homes Work?

Sober living homes are critical to the continuum of care model of addiction recovery in that they provide “transitional living”.  This covers the period after completing residential inpatient treatment but before mainstream living.  Studies have shown that this is a critical time in a person’s recovery process.  Going to a sober home after treatment while participating in an Intensive Outpatient therapy program (IOP) has been connected to higher sobriety success rates at 12 and 18 month follow ups.

How a sober home works is by providing a safe environment where individuals in early recovery can stay after a 30-day treatment program but before going home.  To understand what it is, one should be familiar with how rehabilitation works.

Most rehab facilities provide a customized program that works according to a person’s specific needs. At the core of these programs is detoxification and behavioral therapy. The first step is all about helping the patient get sober again and restore their health. The latter is all about teaching them how to stay sober.

Upon completion of their program, the patient has usually cleansed the remains of the drug or alcohol from their system. They have also explored all the benefits of maintaining a drug-free life, and all the devastating consequences of relapse.  They generally feel excited and ready to conquer the world at this stage.

Emotional Aspect

Despite their enthusiasm, 30 days is generally not long enough to change something like an addiction. This is especially true when someone is sent right back into their old living environment – with the same stressors and problems they had before they went into treatment.  This situation often proves too difficult and, unfortunately, relapse is often the result.

Alternatively, a sober home works by providing additional time to emotionally prepare for the transition into their new lives. They continue to have a structured living environment with accountability for their own sobriety.

Residents usually stay at a sober living home anywhere from 30 days to 12 months or longer. This will usually depend on the level of support needed before they feel comfortable living on their own again.  

Addiction doesn’t just affect a person’s mind and body, it also destroys their relationships. Some might have even forgotten how to connect with others in a regular social setting.  A good sober living home can help re-train residents on how to interact with others while maintaining their sobriety.  They often make new friends and connect with others with whom they can relate.  This type of peer support is one of the foundations of 12 step groups and drastically improves the person’s chances of avoiding relapse.

Solidifying New Tools

It takes a while to develop new habits—research suggests 66 days before a new one is formed.  Sober living homes allow recovering individuals to establish new, healthy habits. They learn to replace old routines that no longer serve them with healthier ones.  Most importantly, they receive encouragement and peer support in pursuing their goals.  They don’t just regain confidence, they also regain independence.