When someone enters a residential treatment program for addiction, they count the days until they can be reunited with their family and return home. It can be difficult to even think about staying away for 60 days or even 90 days, especially for people with small children or family members who need care. However, as the treatment program progresses, some patients may view the upcoming release date with alarm.
While someone may genuinely want to go home again, they may not be ready to return to their old environments. After treatment, sobriety is new and fragile. Going back home might feel like going back to addiction. Sober living programs provide a bridge between treatment and home. At Michael’s House, we offer patients a sober living program in Palm Springs, California. A Sober living home could be the right step in your recovery, contact us at 760.548.4032, and we can assist you with your decision. We are also available to discuss other addiction treatment programs with you or a loved one.
Sober Living Programs Offer a New Approach to Life
Sober living communities do more than encourage addiction treatment and sobriety. The rules are designed to help people create structure in their lives and meet the day-to-day expectations that society places upon them. Most sober living communities require residents to hold some sort of job in the community. If residents cannot find work, they’re expected to do volunteer duties in the community or pick up extra tasks around the home.
These requirements help fill the time the residents might have formerly used on drugs, but they also help residents learn to structure their days around work and meaningful activities. Sober living homes often require residents to handle cleaning and cooking tasks in addition to their employment. These tasks can help residents develop skills they’ll need when living independently. In most cases, as long as residents comply with the rules, they can stay as long as they’d like. It’s not uncommon for people to live in sober communities for months or even years.
The Benefits of a Sober Living House
Participation in sober living programs can help residents learn to identify their feelings and express their opinions in productive and healthy ways. Living with others on the road to recovery can also help community members learn to manage strong emotions rather than act on them because they develop a stronger sense of ethics and how to treat others. Other benefits that a resident might experience from a sober living home can include the following:
- Improved self-esteem
- Better relationship skills
- Decreased relapse rates
- Enhanced ability to cope with stress and triggers
Household and community responsibilities also help residents learn to be socially responsible and put the needs of others before their own. Sometimes, people who live in sober communities develop tight friendships and strong bonds with others in the community. Residents learn to support, listen to, and lean upon one another. These are the sorts of activities that healthy families do regularly, and it’s no surprise that some people in sober living houses form their own families.
What Are the Requirements to Become a Resident at a Sober Living Home?
Sober living communities are for individuals who have completed a substance use treatment program and want a supportive environment as they continue their journey toward sobriety. Many residents come from residential treatment centers, but this is not always the case. Typically, residents must be sober upon entering the community and pass regular drug screenings during their stay. Often, sober communities have admission requirements, such as:
- A specific number of days of sobriety
- Financial commitment, perhaps including a deposit
- A signed statement from the patient’s therapist outlining ongoing treatments
- Proof of employment
Some facilities might waive these requirements depending on the needs of the person in therapy, but other facilities will not. These are questions and details best answered long before the patient moves into the facility. Contact Michael’s House, and we can answer any questions you might have about a sober living program.
Get the Help You Need from Michael's House
A sober living program can offer patients a supportive environment to practice the skills they’ve learned during treatment. At Michael’s House, we provide a sober living program for people who have completed rehab programs. Our rules and regulations are straightforward, and we’d love to talk with you about our admissions program. Don’t hesitate to contact us today at 760.548.4032 to start the process.