The benefits of living a sober life
Staying sober is never easy, especially when the stressors of everyday life begin to pile up. Nonetheless, there are a variety of tools that we learn while in recovery to keep us as far away from the first drink as possible.
With the help of our therapist in treatment, we do our very best to lay down a solid foundation of recovery before we go back into the real world. Sometimes, we may underestimate how much pressure we can face when trying to jump right back into our old routines and responsibilities. This is why sober living was created.
What is Sober Living?
Sober living homes are safe, drug-free environments where people recovering from alcoholism or drug addiction can become reacclimated to living in society. They are group homes, where you will have roommates with the same goals in mind as you. Typically, sober living homes have a set of rules and requirements.
Every sober living home requires you be sober and usually will perform urinalysis drug tests on residents, in order to ensure everyone’s safety. Often times, you will have to complete household chores, have a curfew set in place, and be required to attend 12-step based meetings.
Benefits of Sober Living Homes
Fellowship and Comradery
While you are in a sober living home, you get to live with other people who are also striving towards long-term sobriety. Being in a supportive environment surrounded by like-minded people can give you a more positive outlook on life and provide you with the motivation to keep on the path of recovery. Everyone there has gone through similar situations as you, so if you ever need advice or someone to talk to your roommates are available.
Structure and Accountability
In early sobriety, it is imperative that you protect yourself by staying away from substances that you may be tempted to use. That is one of the most beneficial aspects of living in a sober living home because there is always a strict no drug or alcohol policy in place.
During your stay in a sober living home, you will learn how to properly manage your time, get help in finding a job, and develop the skills you need in order to promptly complete daily responsibilities. Because of the structure these homes provide, you will have a set schedule for each day; keeping you from having too much idle time that could lead you towards using drugs/alcohol out of boredom and allowing you to manage your time in order to complete household chores.
You will be required to apply for jobs and make a visible effort to obtain a job, while being provided the help you need when creating a resume or learning how to properly interview for your future job.
Building a Strong Foundation
Many sober living homes require that you attend AA, NA, or CA meetings in order to promote a healthy recovery. While going to these meetings, you can build a fellowship that can provide you with the emotional support you’ll need in sobriety. Most sober living homes also require that you have a sponsor who will take you through the 12 steps.
The 12 steps provide addicts and alcoholics with a step-by-step process in which they can learn how to handle life on life’s terms, clear up the wreckage of their past, and find a spiritual solution to their problems. Going through this process will provide you with a strong foundation of recovery that will aid you to achieve long-term sobriety.
Choosing a Sober Living Home
Picking the right sober living home is extremely important. You should always make sure that the environment of the home is safe, recovery-based, and that it is a place you would feel comfortable living in. You can seek out recommendations from your alumni treatment center, your therapist, or your friends that you have met while in recovery.
If you don’t find one that you are interested in through your peers, you could always look online to find local sober living homes that have good reviews.
Guest post by Kailey Fitzgerald