Addiction recovery requires continual care. It does not end with rehab, and it does not happen overnight. If you are battling substance addiction, you likely know this firsthand. You need time and space to heal. You need time and space to adjust back to everyday life. You need constant support, especially as you begin to re-establish yourself. That is why sober living homes are so important. Sober living homes offer people in recovery a safe space to live, heal, and grow – without drugs and alcohol – during or after their treatment program.
If you are looking to learn more about sober living in Connecticut, you are in the right place. Below we define what sober living homes are, and what they can mean for individuals struggling with drug abuse and addiction.
A sober living home is a safe, substance-free residency for people in recovery.
Also referred to as halfway or transitional housing, sober living homes act as the bridge between a drug treatment facility and the “real world.” They facilitate the transition from rehab back into the mainstream community, and support independent, healthy living in a person’s early recovery. The goal of sober housing is to separate users from their previous, substance-occupied environment, and provide them with a safe and supportive place to heal, away from outside pressures.
Throughout Connecticut and across the country, you will find all different types of sober living houses. Some are owned by private organizations or religious groups. Some are run by treatment professionals. Some have a resident manager who oversees and enforces house rules, while others take a more social approach. Many sober living homes operate like a co-op, where a group of residents pays rent and upkeeps the home as if it were their own. In order to stay living in a sober home, everyone has to follow a set of rules, which may include meeting curfew or periodic drug testing.
You may also find sober housing as part of a more structured extended care treatment program. These are specially designed to help ease residents’ transition back into everyday life, while still extending ongoing care and support. For example, at Turnbridge, clients progress through three phases, which allows them to gradually gain more independence over time – finding jobs, taking classes, cooking meals, attending meetings – and to better prepare for life in the real world, all while receiving continual counseling and clinical treatment.
As you can see, there are many faces of sober housing. The real question lies in what sober living can mean for you. The right sober living home will not just prohibit you from using drugs and alcohol, but also provide a sober support system for you to lean on, and encourage the skills needed for you to live a happy and healthy life.
Think about the environment that will inspire you most in recovery – one that will keep you going and set you up for success. Are you in a secure setting, surrounded by like-minded peers? Do you have a safe space to reflect and meditate, or a creative place to let go? Do you have access to a peaceful, outdoor environment when you need a breath of fresh air, or to local amenities, like a grocery store or quiet café? Choosing an environment that reflects a positive recovery is key to lasting sobriety.
What are the Benefits of Sober Living Houses?
There are many benefits of sober living homes, with the most obvious one being that they offer people a safe place to live and heal. Users can get away from the temptations of their hometown – their peer-pressuring, drug-using, party-going friends – and find solace in a protected, peaceful environment. They can focus on their healing (physically, mentally, emotionally) and take the steps needed to re-discover and re-establish themselves.
In addition, sober living homes encourage healthy and productive living. They inspire residents to continue working their program, making positive decisions, and utilizing the skills learned in rehab. At Turnbridge, for example, residents learn how to shop for and prepare nutritious meals in their independent living environments. They are also given access to nearby yoga studios, gyms, art rooms, and recreational activities, to help keep up with the regimes they established in structured treatment.
Sober living houses allow those in recovery to develop independence, to establish themselves, and to thrive in a sober environment. In treatment settings specifically, sober living homes will couple this independence with the benefit of 24/7 watchful and accessible care. This means you can meet with a counselor or clinician, whenever you need it most. Loved ones can also rest assured that residents will be held accountable in this type of sober setting. Turnbridge’s sober living homes, for instance, are equipped with a state-of-the-art monitoring system called “The Bridge,” allowing us to know the status and location of residents at all times. In addition, each sober living home has a sober house manager and support staff in place, to help keep young men and women on their paths towards sobriety.
A good sober living home is not just a group home. Rather, it is a community – a sisterhood or a brotherhood of like-minded individuals, with similar experiences and a mutual desire to stay sober. This is one of the greatest benefits of sober living environments. Residents have the opportunity to build meaningful and healthy relationships. These friendships are not built via drugs or alcohol, and for this reason, often sustain long after treatment has ended. Many residents at Turnbridge leave with lifelong relationships and an unwavering sober support network to call when things get tough.
Sober Living in Connecticut
Sober living homes are not hospital or rehab settings. Rather, they are productive and supportive environments where one can focus on living sober, away from the temptations and hubbub of society. Sober living is a commitment that enables people in recovery to become their own influence, to make positive decisions, and to ultimately become the best possible versions of themselves. Are you ready to take that step?
If you have been to rehab and are seeking transitional housing in Connecticut, or if you are new to recovery and need help for your addiction, Turnbridge can help. Call 877-581-1793 to learn more about our sober living programs for young men and young women in New Haven, Connecticut.