Sober Transitional Living – How Taking the Extra Step Can Aid in Long-Term Recovery
Overcoming a substance use addiction is a continually evolving process. Rehab is an important first step, but as many people find when they get out, it is certainly not the last step. In fact, getting the drugs or alcohol out of your system is often the thing that needs to happen first, so that the recovery process can really begin. This is because, though addiction is a disease in itself, it is also often a symptom of a larger, more complex issue. The roots of addiction can lie in co-occurring mental health disorders, past trauma, family and/or relational issues, learning disabilities, and emotional regulation problems.
These root causes are typically not issues that can be resolved in a thirty or even ninety-day program. They require time, therapy, and introspection, as well as support from professionals and peers. In addition, recovery requires change – big change. Change in thinking, attitude, and worldview, but also change in environment, people and lifestyle. That is why sober transitional living homes can be a good next step for many people on the path to recovery – they provide a safe, supportive space where individuals can rebuild their lives upon a foundation of new, healthy habits, people and routines.
How Does Sober Transitional Living Support the Recovery Process?
Sober Transitional Living Situations Promote Accountability
Sober housing is typically overseen by program staff who make sure there are no drugs or alcohol on premises and that inhabitants are fulfilling the terms of their residency – going to meetings, attending therapy sessions, participating in group activities, and developing life and work skills to support the transition to independent living. This accountability helps to develop structure and routines that those in recovery can rely on when times get tough.
Going to the meetings, attending the therapy sessions and putting in the work to understand the triggers and causes at the core of the addictive behavior is necessary for formulating coping strategies that will be effective over time. Being surrounded by people who are also doing this difficult work can help promote accountability to oneself and to others.
Sober Transitional Living Provides Built-In Support
Finishing rehab and going back to life as usual, can be detrimental to recovery because new sobriety is fragile. Addiction is a powerful force and getting a handle on it takes time. To be forced, newly sober, into navigating the situations, people and stressors that trigger addictive behaviors is a difficult, painful challenge at best, and an impossibility at worst. Sober transitional living provides those in recovery with critical support while they are gaining distance from their active addiction.
In a transitional living arrangement, everyone is sober and supporting one another in their sobriety. Because everyone is going through the same challenges, there is comradery among residents and plenty of opportunity to share with people who understand the struggles and tests that come in the days and months after rehab. Building connections, friendships and a network of people who can help is an important part of lasting recovery. Sober living provides opportunities to develop these relationships.
Sober Transitional Living Helps Promote a Healthy Lifestyle
Sober living houses, like Mare’s House, provide opportunities to explore new ways of living that are perhaps not available otherwise. Residents of Mare’s House learn how to cook, practice mindfulness, exercise regularly and attend individual and/or group and family therapy as needed. Our surf and music programs provide exposure to people and hobbies that can help set the stage for a life of rewarding experiences and excitement. Exploring new opportunities and ways of living can help residents develop a lifestyle of their own design that is fulfilling, rewarding and worth protecting.
Our program also offers career assessment, nutritional counseling, and life skills development including finances, critical thinking and problem solving, stress management, and communication. Studies have shown that the development of life skills is instrumental in preventing addictive behaviors over time, as they can help keep an individual from becoming overwhelmed with stress as well as promote self-confidence and self-efficacy.
Are You or a Loved One Ready to Take the Next Step? Mare’s House Can Help!
The ideal Mare’s House member is a young woman who is currently substance free and ready to take charge of her life. We support individuals who still need some structure and accountability but can also handle the freedoms and temptations of semi-independent living in a large and complex city.
All incoming members must have some sobriety under their belt either from primary treatment, detox, or other intervention.
For more information about our criteria, visit our Member page next.
