Medically Reviewed by Dr P. E. Pancoast, MD
In this article
Sober living programs offer extended support to people recovering from drug or alcohol addiction. Most program participants are in the process of transitioning from intensive substance abuse treatment to independent living.
Those who live in sober living facilities share a common goal of achieving a normal life following sobriety. According to an Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) survey completed by 6,000+ recovering addicts:1
Over 3 million people use BetterHelp. Their services are:
Answer a few questions to get started
A sober living home, or sober housing, is a residential program that helps you focus on sobriety after treatment. It provides continued support and care in a clinically supervised recovery home after an addiction rehab program.
Most sober living houses are found in residential neighborhoods around the world. This supportive environment is comfortable and ideal for people trying to reintegrate into society.
Sober living homes also provide the necessary skills and resources to prepare you for life after treatment. The support and guidance it provides also reduces the likelihood of a relapse.
Although halfway houses have a lot of similarities with sober living homes, there are a few key differences.
For one, residents of halfway houses may be court mandated to live there. Within the criminal justice system, halfway houses may help offenders recover from substance abuse problems. On the other hand, residents of sober living homes typically come from substance use treatment programs.
Lastly, halfway houses are owned and funded by the state. Sober living houses are privately owned by treatment facilities that provide continuing support.
They’ll connect you to an addiction and mental health counselor
Find a TherapistAnswer a few questions to get started
Sober living houses provide a strong support system made up of empathetic and supportive peers. They also provide valuable life skills and help you find employment.
A study revealed the positive effects of 300 recovering addicts living in sober homes. The outcomes included reduced alcohol and drug use, psychiatric symptoms, and arrests.4
In a different study, they concluded that sober living homes are an unutilized modality that offers a clean, sober living space for people who are:5
The relapse rate for people suffering from substance use disorders (SUDs) falls between 40% and 60%. Because of this, sustained recovery at a structured sober living house might be helpful.
BetterHelp offers affordable mental health care via phone, video, or live-chat.
Find a TherapistAnswer a few questions to get started
Sober living homes are alcohol and drug-free living environments. There are some sober living house rules you’re expected to follow:
Sober living homes are typically managed by a house manager who ensures the facility runs smoothly and complies with house rules. Here are other things that you can expect while residing in a sober living house.
Sober living homes provide guided independence. This allows residents to function as normal adults while preventing them from falling back into old patterns.
House members typically have the freedom to:
When you join a sober living program, they might require you to detox under the guidance of treatment professionals. This demonstrates your progress towards ongoing sobriety.
Some recovery homes have set curfews and a sign-in/sign-out as part of their house rules. Recent rehab graduates may also have a senior member of the house assigned to accompany them when they leave.
Residents also have access to additional training and development programs. These programs help them build on the sobriety skills they learned in rehab.
There are plenty of ways house members can receive support through recovery. For example, supervised staff members are readily on standby to help residents:
According to Current Psychiatry Reports, a peer-reviewed medical journal, 85% of people in recovery relapse and tend to resume substance use a year after addiction treatment.3
A tailored aftercare plan paired with a relapse prevention plan can help you stay away from triggers. Paired with relapse prevention strategies, sober living programs can help you maintain long-term sobriety.
Both require residents to live on the premises full-time and work towards a sober lifestyle. However, their approaches to addiction recovery differ.
Residential or inpatient treatment centers work exclusively with people struggling with severe addictions. They offer 24/7 care in conjunction with residential treatment programs.
Residential treatment facilities are the best fit for people in the early stages of recovery. Program members typically choose to enroll after completing medical detox. The average length of stay is between a few weeks and a few months.
Offerings at a residential treatment center may include:
The main outcome goals of inpatient treatment are to:
Residential treatment programs are much more structured and intensive than those in sober living houses.
Sober living homes don’t provide the same level of structure as residential inpatient treatment programs. However, they’re a great way to bridge the gap between residential treatment and reintegration into society.
Sober living homes offer a safe environment to practice and establish healthy habits and skills. You have the freedom to come and go as long as you follow the curfew, unlike in residential treatment.
Overall, sober living homes are less restrictive and help you transition to independence. Sober living programs also offer longer stays than inpatient treatment facilities.
The recommended treatment duration at a sober house is typically 90 days. However, the length of your stay can depend on how well you’re adjusting to life after treatment.
You can stay in sober living homes as long as you want to. However, you must continue to follow the house rules. While one person may be ready to re-enter society after three months, others may benefit from staying longer.
Rent prices for a sober living home generally correlate with rent prices for a decent apartment or home. Monthly rent payments vary based on the area’s average mortgage or rent costs.
A sober living program costs less than residential treatment. This is because sober living homes offer fewer services.
Sober living programs are specially designed for people who:
In this article