Addiction is a chronic and progressive disease that requires long-term maintenance to sustain recovery. If you recently finished an addiction treatment program, you are going to be experiencing independence as a sober individual for the first time. Unfortunately, this means you’ll come across new triggers that could lead to a relapse without the proper support in place.
Thankfully, sober living facilities and halfway houses are here to provide the support you need. Sober living houses offer a drug and alcohol-free environment where you can lean on your roommates and house manager for advice. They also provide accountability and structure, which makes it easier for you to develop healthy routines for your daily life.
Sober living environments make it easier to maintain sobriety during the transitional period between treatment and independent living. However, they do require you to pay monthly rent. If you are fresh out of rehab, you might not have a job yet that allows you to cover the cost of rent.
Some sober living homes will work with you until you find a job. If you cannot work, there are other ways to come up with the money to pay rent. You could look into crowdsourcing the cost of rent for the amount of time you’ll be staying, or look into other resources like using savings or obtaining a personal loan.
In this article, you will learn:
- What is the cost of sober living?
- Does insurance cover sober living?
- How can you pay for rent at a sober living program?
How Much is Rent for Sober Living?
Rent for a sober living can vary greatly. While you might assume it’s similar to the cost of other rentals in the area, you have to consider a few factors.
The factors that influence the cost of sober living include:
- Location- If the sober living home is located in an area that charges more for rent, such as a property near the beach, you might be looking at a higher price.
- Services Offered- Some sober living programs include extra services in the cost of rent, like meals, utilities like WiFi, and more.
- Rooms- If you are going to a sober living home that offers private rooms, as opposed to shared rooms, you might have a higher monthly rent.
- Amenities- Transitional living or sober houses might have amenities like swimming pools, personal gyms, personal chefs, or even massage therapists. The more amenities offered, the higher the price of rent will be.
If you are looking for a sober living that meets a certain budget, consider these factors when making a decision. Luxury sober living homes that include things like private rooms, personal chefs, and massage therapy will cost way more than a traditional program that simply offers you the support, accountability, and life skills training you need to maintain recovery.
Does Insurance Cover the Cost of Sober Living?
Thanks to the Affordable Care Act (ACA), health insurance companies are required to cover addiction treatment services.[1] You can use your insurance to attend medical detox, inpatient treatment programs, and outpatient treatment centers. But can you use your insurance to pay for rent at a sober living program?
Unfortunately, insurance usually does not cover sober living. Because they are not considered mental health or substance use disorder treatment centers, they might not be considered “medically necessary” under your insurance plan. Recovery residences simply provide a sober environment for you to live in while you are getting used to independence.
How to Pay for Sober Living
If you want to receive support from a sober living program during your recovery journey, you’ll have to come up with a plan for paying rent. Thankfully, there are multiple ways to go about finding the funds.
The best ways to pay for sober living include:
Find a Job
Most sober living programs will allow you to enter while you are looking for a job. These programs tend to offer vocational training and assistance, which means you’ll be able to find a job much easier when you’re living in the home. Once you begin working, you can start paying your rent.
Payment Plans
If your current job is not providing enough money to cover rent, you still have options. Some sober homes offer payment plans like sliding scale fees, which require you to pay what you can afford based on your income. Your sober living program might also work with you until you are on your feet and able to cover the cost of rent.
Use Available Resources
If you cannot begin working yet, there are other ways to pay for sober living.
Some realistic options for covering the cost of rent include:
- Borrowing money from friends or family members
- Crowdsourcing online
- Tapping into your personal savings account
- Selling personal property or other assets
- Getting a personal, medical, or hardship loan
Get Connected to a Top-Rated Sober Living Program
If you or a loved one recently completed an inpatient addiction program, you might want to consider joining a sober living home. These alcohol and drug-free environments provide the support, accountability, and structure necessary to overcome the transitional period from treatment to independent living.
At Patrick’s Purpose, we make sure every one of our tenants feels safe, comfortable, and supported. Contact us today to learn more about how our sober living program works.
References:
- Office of National Drug Control Policy: Substance Abuse and the Affordable Care Act