Residential environments (sober living homes) are intended to foster individual recovery from substance use disorders (SUD). The idea is simple yet profound: surrounding oneself with a community of those who are like you makes the steep path of sustained sobriety less lonely and more tolerable.
Sober living or recovery homes are safe, structured environments that give people looking to move from addiction treatment to independent living a place to live while they recover. These homes offer a safe place for residents to concentrate on staying sober, build healthy routines, and learn the basic skills that will help them start their lives on the right track in a supportive community.
Sober living isn’t a new concept. The movement has its roots in the early days of the temperance movement and has grown into an important part of the recovery landscape over the decades. But these homes are more than just a place to stay; they create a community, accountability, and mutual support that is often essential for long-term recovery.
There are a lot of sober living homes out there.
So you may ask yourself, How effective are sober living homes in helping recovery? Numerous studies and firsthand accounts of their positive effect answer the question.
Well-known research concludes individuals who attend sober living have reported effects on sustained sobriety, their employment, and overall well-being better than those who do not.
For example, a study in the Journal of Psychoactive Drugs reported that results from a study for residents of sober living homes indicated that these residents had remarkable employment outcomes, reductions in substance use, and criminal behavior.(¹)
And while the numbers tell the story of sober living homes, the stories of those who have passed through the doors tell the story of effectiveness. Residents say these homes are a haven where they found a supportive community, regained their self-worth, and learned to live without substances.
Sober living homes are more needed than ever. While the ongoing opioid crisis continues to surge and as awareness of mental health and addiction problems grows, making supportive housing an option for those in recovery is necessary.
Sober living homes address several critical needs:
Safe Environment: It gives them a substance-free environment where they can devote their time to recovery without the aggravated triggers and temptations of their previous living environment.
Community Support: By living in sober living homes, it helps to ease people from isolation and provide a web of peers that understand what it takes to recover.
Structure and Stability: To many, the structure and stability of a sober living home provide the needed basis to rebuild one’s life on.
In order to gain a better understanding of the value and efficacy of sober living homes, we look to what the experts have to say.
Renowned researcher and author William White makes a point about recovery environments. He points out that individuals’ recovery outcomes can be greatly affected by the quality of the environment they live in. White says sober living homes are an important bridge between treatment and independent living, serving as a supportive environment in which to practice recovery skills. (²)
Sober living homes are also recognized by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) . The environments highlighted by SAMHSA sustain recovery through providing safe, stable housing and peer support. They advocate for the integration of sober living homes within broader recovery-oriented systems of care. (³)
NARR’s role and the community support given to it.
The National Alliance for Recovery Residences (NARR) is a key player in encouraging best practices in sober living. To establish standards for recovery residences, NARR develops standards imposing requirements that control the running of recovery homes to ensure residents reside in a safe, ethical, and supportive environment. They have guidelines on safety, ethics, rights of residents, and quality of life.
Sober living homes are also supported by communities.
For example, in Washington State, the success of sober living homes is due in large part to community-based programs and local support systems. The creation, in turn, of a network of support beyond the walls of the home that combines local resources and community engagement helps develop a more holistic recovery ecosystem.
Role Of Wisconsin Association of Sober Housing:
The Wisconsin Association of Sober Housing (WASH) is the organization that helps support recovery and sober living in Wisconsin. Here are some key aspects of their work:
- Connecting and Educating: WASH is a network of recovery residences and sober housing operations throughout the state that offers education and resources to increase the quality of care.
- Certification and Standards: It certifies recovery residences based on nationally recognized quality and ethical standards, and provides the highest safety and service standards.
- Advocacy and Policy: The WASH is fighting for legislative support and funding to support recovery housing programs and to reduce the stigma of addiction.
- Community Engagement: They work with communities to demystify recovery and provide better care for those with substance use disorders.
- Training and Resources: Training and WASH resources are available to assist recovery residences in operating effectively and ethically.
Their goal is to enhance the standards and practices of recovery residences in Wisconsin, so that people can better recover and have longer and more resilient recoveries. (⁴)
Types of Sober Living Homes
Different types of houses handle different stages and needs of your recovery. Here’s a closer look at some of the primary types:
- Independent Sober Living Homes: These homes are unstructured, where residents have more freedom and more responsibility. Because they work well for people who have made great progress in their recovery and are ready for more independence. But residents are usually expected to follow basic rules, like remaining sober, pitching in with household chores, and attending regular house meetings, but are given more freedom in how they spend their daily lives.
- Structured Sober Living Homes:However, structured sober living homes have more rules and regulations and are less sober. Because these housing programs often require curfews, meetings, random drug testing, and coverage of a wide variety of support services (including counseling and recovery coaching), they may not allow members to organize their own activities. Structured homes support individuals managing their own responsibilities while providing extra accountability during the transition from inpatient treatment to independent living.
- Transitional Living Facilities: These are in between inpatient treatment and independent sober living facilities. The residence offers a high degree of support and structure, providing case management, therapy sessions, and life skills training. The transitional living facilities are to help residents build the skills and confidence to move into more independent living environments.
- Recovery Residences: These are community-based housing options that are supportive environments for people in recovery. Independent and structured living is a mix, and levels of support vary based on the residents’ needs. Recovery residences seek to promote a community and mutual support among the residents.
Sober Living Homes: The Benefits of Different Types
There are benefits for each type of sober living home in that they cater to different stages and needs of recovery.
Here are some key benefits of each type:
- Independent Sober Living Homes: These homes offer individuals a great chance to learn self-management and personal responsibility. Residents feel more autonomous and are better prepared for a more independent life. These homes provide a supportive community that provides peer support and accountability needed to maintain long-term sobriety.
- Structured Sober Living Homes: Residents in a structured environment follow a routine with access to support services. Restricted drinking hours prevent relapse and encourage discipline. Therapeutic and coaching support provide essential tools and guidance for recovery and aftercare.
- Transitional Living Facilities: These facilities provide a high level of support and supervision, while as such an excellent place of transition from inpatient treatment. Structure and support combined result in a solid foundation for residents to recover. Life skills training and case management focus on equipping residents with the skills they need to live independently.
- Recovery Residences: Recovery residences offer a community-based approach to recovery where residents belong and support each other. It’s also a supportive place to be where others live with you who know what it’s like to recover. Different levels of support allow recovery residences to adapt to various needs and stages of recovery.