How Long Should I Stay at a Sober House?
Many people who get sober after treatment participate in a sober living program to get extra help as they transition out of rehab and into a more independent existence. For the first time, living clean on your own can be difficult, but sober living houses offer one-on-one help in a secure, sober, and supportive atmosphere. For persons who are not yet ready to confront the stresses of regular life in recovery, they are frequently an important element of the therapy process.
While being in a sober home can be beneficial for people at all stages of recovery, a person must eventually move on and live independently in sobriety. The length of time spent in a sober living home varies widely from person to person, but there are several telltale signals that a person is ready to progress to the next level of recovery.
How Long Do I Have to Stay in a Sober Living Facility?
To answer this question simply, if you are still benefiting from the recovery support services provided by your sober living home and are financially able to do so, staying there will only enhance your recovery. It’s natural to be unsure about how long you should stay in a sober living home, especially if this is your first time in recovery. However, rather than focusing on the length of your stay, it’s more vital to consider the benefits you’re receiving and how they’re impacting your recovery.
Peer support is essential for recovery at all stages, but the initial few weeks, months, and years are most susceptible. Staying in a sober living home at this period will allow you to form a strong recovery support system, build sobriety resilience, and absorb new habits and routines that will help you maintain your sobriety and prevent relapse.
Good treatment outcomes, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, are predicated on proper treatment length. This indicates that, while “appropriate treatment length” varies based on the individual’s requirements, treatment history, and commitment to the program, the longer a person spends in a structured treatment program, the more likely they are to attain lasting sobriety.
Furthermore, research backs up the premise that living in a sober house has numerous advantages for persons in recovery. Residents of sober living homes, according to a research published in the Journal of Psychoactive Drugs, had fewer difficulties with substance misuse, had better employment rates and fewer arrests, and had more secure housing arrangements after leaving their sober living home.
All of these factors are necessary for long-term sobriety outside of a structured treatment program.
What is the Ideal Length of Stay in Sober Living?
When it comes down to it, there is no ideal length of time for a person to reside in a sober living home. A person who identifies with any of the following factors, in general, may benefit from a longer stay:
- A lack of support for sobriety at home
- Several relapses
- Health-related or mental-health difficulties
- A history of treatment resistance
Staying in a sober living home for a few months or a year does not imply that you have failed or that you are any less capable than those who have gone before you. Addiction rehabilitation is a highly personalized process, and each person’s path is a unique experience that must be experienced in their own time.
What is the Average Stay at a Sober Living Facility?
As a resident of a sober living home, you have the freedom to stay as long as you need or desire, as long as you are financially able and follow the program’s regulations. The average length of stay at a sober living home, according to the study mentioned earlier in this article, was between 166 and 254 days.
When Should I Move Out of My Sober Living Facility?
If you think you’re ready to leave your sober living home and move on to a more independent living situation, your treatment team can weigh in and help you figure out if you’re ready. If you and your treatment team feel that you’re ready to leave your sober living home, they can assist you in planning your transition and making sure it’s a positive and successful step in your recovery.
The following are some indicators that you may be ready to leave your sober living home:
- You’ve been sober for a reasonable period of time.
- You’ve kept your sobriety, and you’re confident in your ability to deal with cravings, triggers, and temptations.
- After you leave the sober house, you will have a sober, safe, and supportive place to live.
- You’ve made plans to live with sober friends, family, or coworkers, or you’re financially capable and ready to live on your own after sober living. This living scenario has been established, and you are prepared to move forward.
- You have faith in your abilities to prevent and/or manage relapse after you leave a sober house.
- You are not particularly concerned about leaving your sober living home, and you are certain that you will be able to cope with the stresses and problems of normal life without relapsing outside of sober living.
- If you do relapse, you already know how you’ll deal with it and who you’ll contact right away.
- You’ve made a detailed schedule for how you’ll spend your time after sober living.
- You intend to work a full-time or part-time job, go to school, or otherwise occupy your leisure time with activities that will help you achieve your recovery objectives.
- You’ve made plans to continue your treatment after you leave your sober house.
- You’ve committed to attending local 12-step meetings, performing H&I work, and/or going to counseling as part of an aftercare program or alumni group.
- You’ve set objectives for your recuperation.
- You understand that your recovery path is far from done, and you have short- and long-term sobriety goals that you believe will benefit your life and recovery.
- You’ve built a solid support network of sober folks.
- You have a sponsor and/or sober coach, you’ve built good relationships with sober peers, and you’re determined to expanding your support network as your treatment progresses.
Thoughts on the Right Time to Leave Sober Living
It’s a good idea to chat with your treatment team if you’re thinking about leaving a sober home soon or if you’re unsure how long you should stay.
They can provide you constructive feedback on your progress, make suggestions for how you can keep making progress, and assist you in determining the next steps in your recovery.
The Sober House Directory is a resource for people seeking sober housing. It’s a great online tool for discovering a sober living home that’s a good fit for you. In the event that Vanderburgh House does not meet your needs, we encourage you to have a look at this excellent resource for choosing a sober living facility.
Vanderburgh House collaborates with a number of independent Owner/Operators who run sober living facilities in their local communities. Sober living operators that want to manage their own homes in collaboration with Vanderburgh Communities can apply for a Charter from us. To open your own sober house, now is the best moment to do it. Attend a meeting to learn more about this opportunity and how you may make a difference in the lives of others around you.
Vanderburgh House was founded with the objective of developing recovery-focused communities that are devoted to the achievement of every member. Our sober living homes are staffed by compassionate House Managers who are committed to helping our clients rebuild their lives free of drugs and alcohol.