While completing an addiction treatment program is a huge accomplishment, it does not mean your work is done. Because addiction is chronic and progressive, you have to continue working on bettering yourself and using your healthy coping mechanisms to maintain sobriety.
Additionally, it is important to remember that the transition from a drug and alcohol rehab center to independent living can be difficult. Thankfully, sober living housing works to ease this transition by providing support, structure, and a healthy living environment. During a sober living program, you must adhere to house rules, attend house meetings, go to a certain number of 12-step meetings, and engage in peer support with your fellow housemates.
If you are considering attending a sober living home, you might wonder how to know which one is right for you. When you are choosing a halfway house in California, you should look for accreditation or licensing, flexible lengths of stay, an ideal location, helpful rules that promote safety, and determine if the services they offer are right for you.
Things to Consider When Choosing the Right Sober Living Home in California
Sober living homes are transitional housing programs that help you learn how to live a successful life while avoiding relapse. They provide a supportive environment, accountability, and recovery resources that help you maintain long-term recovery.
That said, not all sober living programs are created equally. You want to make sure you are choosing a reputable one before you commit to the program. To do so, you should look for the following qualities:
Accreditation and Licensing
Just like addiction treatment centers, sober living homes can acquire an accreditation or license to prove that they are operating under the national standards of care and safety. While accreditation is not mandatory in California, it does indicate that the program is committed to offering the highest standard of care.
You can look on a sober living program’s website to determine if they have an accreditation or licensing. Examples of accreditation programs in California include MHACBO-NARR and CCAPP Recovery Residence Standards.
Flexible Lengths of Stay
Some sober living homes might have requirements on how long you can live at the property. However, others are more flexible and will allow you to stay until the management believes you are ready to tackle independent living without being at a high risk of relapsing.
If you are wondering how long to stay in a sober living home, the minimum recommendation is 90 days. That said, many people choose to stay for six months to one year until they feel they are ready to maintain sobriety without living in a sober housing program.
Location
The location of your sober living home is more important than you might think. First, you should look into whether the house is located in a safe area. You do not want to be living in a neighborhood with high rates of crime or substance abuse.
Other things to consider about the location of the sober living home include:
- Whether it is close to your job or school
- Are there a good amount of recovery meetings and support groups near the house
- If you can easily get to places without a car through public transportation
- Is your doctor or therapist’s office close enough to the home
- Are there fun activities near the home that are conducive to recovery
- Are you close to friends and family members who can offer support to your recovery journey
Rules or Guidelines
Sober living homes have a set of rules and guidelines to keep you safe and focused on your recovery. You want to choose one that has rules that will provide you with the structure you need to avoid a relapse.
Examples of fair rules and guidelines for a sober living home include:
- Random drug and alcohol testing
- Nightly curfews to provide structure and accountability
- Required participation in sober support communities like 12-step programs
- Policies on romantic relationships like waiting until you reach one year sober
- Restrictions on having drugs or alcohol in the home
- Visitor policies and scheduled times for guests
- Requirements for finding a job or attending school
- Expectations to complete house chores to help you learn how to manage a home independently
Services Offered
If you are looking for the best sober living home in California, you want to choose one that offers a variety of recovery support services. The point of sober living is to keep you connected with recovery and teach you how to maintain sobriety on your own. This is why a reputable program will provide you with certain services.
Examples of recovery support services you should look for include:
- Transportation to doctor’s or therapist’s appointments
- Transportation to sober support programs like 12-step meetings
- Assistance in finding employment or enrolling in school
- Teaching you how to navigate public transportation until you can afford a vehicle
- Helping you learn how to secure independent housing before you leave the program
- And more!
Get Connected to a Highly Rated Sober Living Program in California
If you or a loved one has recently completed an addiction treatment program, you might be considering attending a sober living program. At Patrick’s Purpose, we offer highly-rated sober living housing opportunities that can keep you connected with a recovery community and help you learn how to live independently.
At Patrick’s Purpose, we believe in the power of community and connection, and we strive to create a supportive and inclusive environment that honors the diverse backgrounds and experiences of our residents. We acknowledge that medicinal cannabis use may be a part of some individuals’ recovery journey. We have created a program integrating harm reduction practices to support safe and responsible cannabis use.
Contact us today for more information on our sober living program in California.