Have You Considered Sober Living As An Option?
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A sober living home provides a drug and alcohol free living environment. Many people find that once they have beaten their drug addiction problem they have nowhere to go. They hesitate to return to their old lives, full of the people and situations that are associated with their former drug addiction problem. They do not need an inpatient drug rehab situation, nor do they need the complete structure of a transitional living or halfway house environment. However, they do need a place where they can feel safe and secure, away from the negative influences in their lives. In this case, a sober living home might be the best choice.
In a sober living home, a group of people who are in a similar situation live together. The exact rules and level of structure vary between individual homes, but every sober living home follows, at minimum, one basic rule: no drugs or alcohol are permitted. Many sober living environments are modeled on a twelve step approach, allowing new housemates to arrive at any point in their sobriety and giving those who are further along in the program the chance to become peer counselors. This combination approach provides some of the benefits of inpatient drug rehab or transitional living, while allowing much more freedom.
Proponents of sober living homes point to the safety and security that comes with living in a monitored environment. Relapse is much more difficult when drugs and alcohol are forbidden in the home. Additionally, the sober living house provides a sort of continuation of inpatient drug rehab therapy. The 24 hour a day access to others who share your difficulties can be the support you need to transition back into the struggles of daily living.
The cost is a familiar roadblock when it comes to sober living environments. The cost of a lot of drug treatment is covered by insurance companies, but those insurance companies rarely want to pay for any sort of longer term treatment option. Sober living homes and full-on rehab facilities tend to not be covered by insurance companies, who would rather spring for a simple detox and force the patient back out into the cycle.
Some people do not need or want a sober living home. If you have friends or family with whom you can live, who do not use alcohol or drugs, you may prefer to live in a familiar environment. If you have a good income, you could also consider living alone. If you make that decision, however, be sure to plan out coping mechanisms for the times that you are lonely, bored or upset. It is easy to relapse during stressful situations, but much easier to fight the cravings if you already have a plan.
Article submitted Wednesday, September 26, 2007 & read 112 times.
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