What to Know About the Sober Living House

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSober Living HousesHistory of Sober Living HousesTypesSober Living Houses vs. Halfway HousesShould You Go to a Sober Living House?EffectivenessHow to Find a Sober Living HouseHow to Pay for Your Stay

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

Sober Living Houses

History of Sober Living Houses

Types

Sober Living Houses vs. Halfway Houses

Should You Go to a Sober Living House?

Effectiveness

How to Find a Sober Living House

How to Pay for Your Stay

A sober living house is a peer-managed home designed to help people maintain sobriety. This is achieved through required sobriety, recovery group attendance, and household participation. Those who live in these houses rent rooms indefinitely and live a life in accordance with their responsibilities, like work and school.If you or someone you know has recently quit drinking alcohol and is now sober—congratulations, quitting alcohol can be a long and difficult process. However, you might be wondering what happens now that thedetoxis over, you’ve completed your stay at anaddiction treatment center, and it is time to go home.This can be a critical time for your sobriety. Often the structure and routine of treatment programs help keep folks sober, and risking the loss of that when completing the program can be a threat to your recovery.This is where a sober living house comes in. These are residential facilities that provide structure and support for those healing fromaddiction. They are designed to be a transitional space from residential treatment to mainstream society.Read on to learn about what a sober living house is, the history of sober living homes, types, who should go to one, and how you can find a sober living house.How to Maintain a Social Life When You’re Quitting DrinkingSober Living HousesMost residents of these homes have recently completedan inpatient or outpatient treatment program.Leaving the structure of the treatment program can be very disruptive to your sobriety, so treatment programs have strict schedules filled withcounseling,group therapy, andparticipatory activities.While a sober living house doesn’t offer individual or group counseling, it offers structure and support to help you maintain your sobriety. Additionally, maintaining your sobriety typically requires a home that is free of substances. Sober living facilities are often thought of as a sober person’s pipeline to life in mainstream society.What an Alcohol Use Disorder Diagnosis MeansThe History of Sober Living HousesSober living houses originated in the late 1940s. They first came into existence when a group of active participants in theAlcoholics Anonymous groupcreated a “12-step” residence. This was a home, typically placed in low-income housing, that enforced policies around sobriety and required attendance toAA meetings. Meetings were held both in the home and in neighboring organizations in the community.Over the years,sober livinghouses have evolved to meet the needs of those in recovery. As such, sober living associations now make finding a residence easier. There are also plenty of independent sober living houses that have not changed their protocols much since the late 1940s when these residences came to be.Types of Sober Living HousesThere are a few types of sober living houses:Traditional sober living house: In this kind of house, you simply pay a monthly fee for rent, maintain attendance inrecovery groups, stay sober, and participate in household duties.Sober re-entry program: Also known as halfway houses, this is a form of sober residence that is often recommended forformerly-incarcerated folks. Sometimes formerly-incarcerated folks are still on parole, which means they finish their prison sentence under close supervision outside of jail. In addition, parole typically requires clean drug tests, making a sober living residence a necessity for many. These programs offer support as they transition back into society.In some circumstances, these programs aren’t necessarily designed for formerly incarcerated people and instead adhere to strict programming and have staff present in the home. Most of these programs have a length of stay limit.Transitional housing programs: These function as facilities formerly in which those who were previouslyhomelesscan live in as they begin to find stability and move towards securing independent housing. Some transitional housing programs require proof ofsobriety.Alcohol and Hormones: What’s the Connection?Sober Living Houses vs. Halfway HousesSomething important to note is that sober living houses are not the same as halfway houses. While they are both residences designed to support folks in maintaining sobriety and transitioning back into society, there are some key differences.Sober Living HousesYou can stay as long as you need toNo regimented treatment programDesigned for people who have completed rehabHalfway HousesThere’s a time limit to your stayContains structured programsDesigned for formerly-incarcerated peopleSober Living HousesSober living houses are often recommended for folks finishing up adrug rehabilitation program.Leaving the structure of a treatment program can be jarring, sometimes triggering a relapse. As such, sober living houses serve as a space to transition into a life without addiction, developing tools and community while getting used to the demands of daily life.They are environments free of substance abuse where individuals can receive support from peers who are also in recovery. There is no time limit on how long someone can live in a sober living house. While meeting attendance and household duties may be required, there isn’t regimented treatment programming present in the home.Halfway HousesHalfway houses, also known as sober re-entry programs, tend to be more structured. Sometimes they are designed specifically for formerly incarcerated folks. Other times, they function as a more intensive residential facility, meaning that there is consistent recovery programming, requirements, and staff present in the house.Halfway houses have a limit to how long someone can live there. Due to how interchangeably these terms are used, it is important to ask questions about expectations and structure to determine which home is the right fit for you.Since there is a difference between sober living houses and halfway houses, it is important to gather as much information about each residence as possible. Below are some important questions to ask when looking for resources:What are the requirements for living here?How much does it cost?How long do residents generally stay?What types of recovery meetings are endorsed? For example, do members of the household strictly adhere to the principles ofAlcoholics Anonymous?Going to Your First 12-Step MeetingShould You Go to a Sober Living House?A sober living house can be an excellent fit for many people. First, if you’re recently leaving a rehab stay or have just wrapped up anoutpatient program, a sober living facility may provide you with the structure you need.Suppose you’ve recentlyrelapsedand found that the stress of being in environments around alcohol and drugs or a lack of structure is particularlytriggering. In that case, a sober living residence may be a good fit for you.Finally, a transitional housing center with asobriety requirementcould be of great help if you’re struggling withhousing insecurity, mainly due to addiction struggles.What Happens When You Stop Drinking Alcohol?Effectiveness of Going to a Sober Living HouseGoing to a sober living house has been proven to support sobriety efforts, with results ranging from a decreased amount of relapses to long-term sobriety.Research on sober living houses also states that residents experience a higher possibility of securing employment and a lower likelihood of getting arrested.While sober living houses have research touting their efficacy, it is also important to remember that they are still environments where you are living with others and the focus is on staying sober.While some may be hungry to integrate back into society after a stint in a treatment program, there is an expectation that you will remain an active participant in the home and follow its rules. Some sober living houses may be placed in neighborhoods with high crime rates.This can be true for halfway houses, as well.How to Find a Sober Living HouseA great way to find a sober living house in your area is first to explore your network. Not all sober living homes are equal, so finding a place that an acquaintance has recommended could be helpful.Consider asking folks at a recovery meeting or touching base with anysober friendsyou may have. If you recently completed atreatment program, contact the staff there for referrals to local sober living homes.You can also look intoOxford Houses, which provide all recovering users the opportunity to develop comfortable sobriety without relapse.How to Pay for Your Stay at a Sober Living HouseFinances can be crucial in determining the best plan for your recovery. Some halfway houses, or sober re-entry programs, are state-funded. However, sober living houses are not covered underinsurancesince they do not provide treatment services and thus aren’t considered rehabilitative facilities.There are still options to get the support you need, even if finances are a stressor. If you think that a stay at a sober living house would be a good fit for you, here are ways in which you can pay for your stay:Ask your treatment provider. Some addiction treatment programs have options to support residents in financing their stay in a sober living house. They may also be able to connect you to sober living houses that offersliding scalefees.Grants and Scholarships.Changing Lives Foundationis an organization that offers grants to those facing unexpected financial hardship, medical bills, catastrophic events, or even need help with rent payments.Finance it. This isn’t an ideal option for many, especially due to high-interest rates and barriers to borrowing like low credit scores, but seeking out a loan can be helpful. Before doing this, make sure to consider howdebt may impact your level of stressand, in turn, negatively impact your sobriety.What to Expect From Drug and Alcohol Rehab ProgramsA Word From VerywellMaintaining sobriety can be a difficult process, however, a sober living house may provide you with the kind of structure and support you’ll need to maintain your sobriety. If you’re having a hard time adjusting to a sober life, reach out to amental health professionalwhospecializes in addiction and substance use.If you or a loved one are struggling with substance use or addiction, contact theSubstance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helplineat1-800-662-4357for information on support and treatment facilities in your area.For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.What Does a Substance Abuse Counselor Do?

If you or someone you know has recently quit drinking alcohol and is now sober—congratulations, quitting alcohol can be a long and difficult process. However, you might be wondering what happens now that thedetoxis over, you’ve completed your stay at anaddiction treatment center, and it is time to go home.

This can be a critical time for your sobriety. Often the structure and routine of treatment programs help keep folks sober, and risking the loss of that when completing the program can be a threat to your recovery.

This is where a sober living house comes in. These are residential facilities that provide structure and support for those healing fromaddiction. They are designed to be a transitional space from residential treatment to mainstream society.

Read on to learn about what a sober living house is, the history of sober living homes, types, who should go to one, and how you can find a sober living house.

How to Maintain a Social Life When You’re Quitting Drinking

Most residents of these homes have recently completedan inpatient or outpatient treatment program.

Leaving the structure of the treatment program can be very disruptive to your sobriety, so treatment programs have strict schedules filled withcounseling,group therapy, andparticipatory activities.

While a sober living house doesn’t offer individual or group counseling, it offers structure and support to help you maintain your sobriety. Additionally, maintaining your sobriety typically requires a home that is free of substances. Sober living facilities are often thought of as a sober person’s pipeline to life in mainstream society.

What an Alcohol Use Disorder Diagnosis Means

The History of Sober Living Houses

Sober living houses originated in the late 1940s. They first came into existence when a group of active participants in theAlcoholics Anonymous groupcreated a “12-step” residence. This was a home, typically placed in low-income housing, that enforced policies around sobriety and required attendance toAA meetings. Meetings were held both in the home and in neighboring organizations in the community.

Over the years,sober livinghouses have evolved to meet the needs of those in recovery. As such, sober living associations now make finding a residence easier. There are also plenty of independent sober living houses that have not changed their protocols much since the late 1940s when these residences came to be.

Types of Sober Living Houses

There are a few types of sober living houses:

Alcohol and Hormones: What’s the Connection?

Something important to note is that sober living houses are not the same as halfway houses. While they are both residences designed to support folks in maintaining sobriety and transitioning back into society, there are some key differences.

Sober Living HousesYou can stay as long as you need toNo regimented treatment programDesigned for people who have completed rehabHalfway HousesThere’s a time limit to your stayContains structured programsDesigned for formerly-incarcerated people

Sober Living HousesYou can stay as long as you need toNo regimented treatment programDesigned for people who have completed rehab

You can stay as long as you need to

No regimented treatment program

Designed for people who have completed rehab

Halfway HousesThere’s a time limit to your stayContains structured programsDesigned for formerly-incarcerated people

There’s a time limit to your stay

Contains structured programs

Designed for formerly-incarcerated people

Sober living houses are often recommended for folks finishing up adrug rehabilitation program.Leaving the structure of a treatment program can be jarring, sometimes triggering a relapse. As such, sober living houses serve as a space to transition into a life without addiction, developing tools and community while getting used to the demands of daily life.

They are environments free of substance abuse where individuals can receive support from peers who are also in recovery. There is no time limit on how long someone can live in a sober living house. While meeting attendance and household duties may be required, there isn’t regimented treatment programming present in the home.

Halfway Houses

Halfway houses, also known as sober re-entry programs, tend to be more structured. Sometimes they are designed specifically for formerly incarcerated folks. Other times, they function as a more intensive residential facility, meaning that there is consistent recovery programming, requirements, and staff present in the house.

Halfway houses have a limit to how long someone can live there. Due to how interchangeably these terms are used, it is important to ask questions about expectations and structure to determine which home is the right fit for you.

Since there is a difference between sober living houses and halfway houses, it is important to gather as much information about each residence as possible. Below are some important questions to ask when looking for resources:

Going to Your First 12-Step Meeting

A sober living house can be an excellent fit for many people. First, if you’re recently leaving a rehab stay or have just wrapped up anoutpatient program, a sober living facility may provide you with the structure you need.

Suppose you’ve recentlyrelapsedand found that the stress of being in environments around alcohol and drugs or a lack of structure is particularlytriggering. In that case, a sober living residence may be a good fit for you.

Finally, a transitional housing center with asobriety requirementcould be of great help if you’re struggling withhousing insecurity, mainly due to addiction struggles.

What Happens When You Stop Drinking Alcohol?

Effectiveness of Going to a Sober Living House

Going to a sober living house has been proven to support sobriety efforts, with results ranging from a decreased amount of relapses to long-term sobriety.

Research on sober living houses also states that residents experience a higher possibility of securing employment and a lower likelihood of getting arrested.

While sober living houses have research touting their efficacy, it is also important to remember that they are still environments where you are living with others and the focus is on staying sober.

While some may be hungry to integrate back into society after a stint in a treatment program, there is an expectation that you will remain an active participant in the home and follow its rules. Some sober living houses may be placed in neighborhoods with high crime rates.This can be true for halfway houses, as well.

A great way to find a sober living house in your area is first to explore your network. Not all sober living homes are equal, so finding a place that an acquaintance has recommended could be helpful.

Consider asking folks at a recovery meeting or touching base with anysober friendsyou may have. If you recently completed atreatment program, contact the staff there for referrals to local sober living homes.

You can also look intoOxford Houses, which provide all recovering users the opportunity to develop comfortable sobriety without relapse.

How to Pay for Your Stay at a Sober Living House

Finances can be crucial in determining the best plan for your recovery. Some halfway houses, or sober re-entry programs, are state-funded. However, sober living houses are not covered underinsurancesince they do not provide treatment services and thus aren’t considered rehabilitative facilities.

There are still options to get the support you need, even if finances are a stressor. If you think that a stay at a sober living house would be a good fit for you, here are ways in which you can pay for your stay:

What to Expect From Drug and Alcohol Rehab Programs

A Word From Verywell

Maintaining sobriety can be a difficult process, however, a sober living house may provide you with the kind of structure and support you’ll need to maintain your sobriety. If you’re having a hard time adjusting to a sober life, reach out to amental health professionalwhospecializes in addiction and substance use.

If you or a loved one are struggling with substance use or addiction, contact theSubstance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helplineat1-800-662-4357for information on support and treatment facilities in your area.For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.

For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.

What Does a Substance Abuse Counselor Do?

6 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Korcha RA, Polcin DL, Mericle AA, Bond J.Sober living houses: research in northern and southern California.Addict Sci Clin Prac. 2015;10(1):A30. doi: 10.1186/1940-0640-10-S1-A30Wittman FD, Polcin D.The evolution of peer-run sober housing as a recovery resource for California communities.Int J Self Help Self Care. 2014;8(2):157-187. doi: 10.2190/SH.8.2.cMartin L.Prisoner Reentry in the 21st Century.1st ed. Oxfordshire, England, UK. Routledge; 2019.Polcin DL, Korcha R, Bond J, Galloway G.What did we learn from our study on sober living houses and where do we go from here?J Psychoactive Drugs. 2010;42(4):425-433. doi: 10.1080/02791072.2010.10400705Tsai J, Rosenheck RA, Kasprow W, McGuire J,Sobriety as an admission criterion for transitional housing: A multi-site comparison of programs with a sobriety requirement to programs with no sobriety requirement.Drug Alcohol Depend. 2012;125(3):223-229. doi: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2012.02.016Polcin DL, Korcha R, Bond J, Galloway G.What did we learn from our study on sober living houses and where do we go from here?J Psychoactive Drugs.2010;42(4):425-433. doi: 10.1080/02791072.2010.10400705

6 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Korcha RA, Polcin DL, Mericle AA, Bond J.Sober living houses: research in northern and southern California.Addict Sci Clin Prac. 2015;10(1):A30. doi: 10.1186/1940-0640-10-S1-A30Wittman FD, Polcin D.The evolution of peer-run sober housing as a recovery resource for California communities.Int J Self Help Self Care. 2014;8(2):157-187. doi: 10.2190/SH.8.2.cMartin L.Prisoner Reentry in the 21st Century.1st ed. Oxfordshire, England, UK. Routledge; 2019.Polcin DL, Korcha R, Bond J, Galloway G.What did we learn from our study on sober living houses and where do we go from here?J Psychoactive Drugs. 2010;42(4):425-433. doi: 10.1080/02791072.2010.10400705Tsai J, Rosenheck RA, Kasprow W, McGuire J,Sobriety as an admission criterion for transitional housing: A multi-site comparison of programs with a sobriety requirement to programs with no sobriety requirement.Drug Alcohol Depend. 2012;125(3):223-229. doi: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2012.02.016Polcin DL, Korcha R, Bond J, Galloway G.What did we learn from our study on sober living houses and where do we go from here?J Psychoactive Drugs.2010;42(4):425-433. doi: 10.1080/02791072.2010.10400705

Korcha RA, Polcin DL, Mericle AA, Bond J.Sober living houses: research in northern and southern California.Addict Sci Clin Prac. 2015;10(1):A30. doi: 10.1186/1940-0640-10-S1-A30Wittman FD, Polcin D.The evolution of peer-run sober housing as a recovery resource for California communities.Int J Self Help Self Care. 2014;8(2):157-187. doi: 10.2190/SH.8.2.cMartin L.Prisoner Reentry in the 21st Century.1st ed. Oxfordshire, England, UK. Routledge; 2019.Polcin DL, Korcha R, Bond J, Galloway G.What did we learn from our study on sober living houses and where do we go from here?J Psychoactive Drugs. 2010;42(4):425-433. doi: 10.1080/02791072.2010.10400705Tsai J, Rosenheck RA, Kasprow W, McGuire J,Sobriety as an admission criterion for transitional housing: A multi-site comparison of programs with a sobriety requirement to programs with no sobriety requirement.Drug Alcohol Depend. 2012;125(3):223-229. doi: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2012.02.016Polcin DL, Korcha R, Bond J, Galloway G.What did we learn from our study on sober living houses and where do we go from here?J Psychoactive Drugs.2010;42(4):425-433. doi: 10.1080/02791072.2010.10400705

Korcha RA, Polcin DL, Mericle AA, Bond J.Sober living houses: research in northern and southern California.Addict Sci Clin Prac. 2015;10(1):A30. doi: 10.1186/1940-0640-10-S1-A30

Wittman FD, Polcin D.The evolution of peer-run sober housing as a recovery resource for California communities.Int J Self Help Self Care. 2014;8(2):157-187. doi: 10.2190/SH.8.2.c

Martin L.Prisoner Reentry in the 21st Century.1st ed. Oxfordshire, England, UK. Routledge; 2019.

Polcin DL, Korcha R, Bond J, Galloway G.What did we learn from our study on sober living houses and where do we go from here?J Psychoactive Drugs. 2010;42(4):425-433. doi: 10.1080/02791072.2010.10400705

Tsai J, Rosenheck RA, Kasprow W, McGuire J,Sobriety as an admission criterion for transitional housing: A multi-site comparison of programs with a sobriety requirement to programs with no sobriety requirement.Drug Alcohol Depend. 2012;125(3):223-229. doi: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2012.02.016

Polcin DL, Korcha R, Bond J, Galloway G.What did we learn from our study on sober living houses and where do we go from here?J Psychoactive Drugs.2010;42(4):425-433. doi: 10.1080/02791072.2010.10400705

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The History of Sober Living Houses#

Types of Sober Living Houses#

Halfway Houses#

Effectiveness of Going to a Sober Living House#

How to Pay for Your Stay at a Sober Living House#

A Word From Verywell#