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Addiction affects millions of people and is considered a chronic illness. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, 40%-60% have relapses. Drug addiction is a complex disease, one that even the strongest of wills cannot overcome. Those afflicted with drug or alcohol addiction find it compulsive and extraordinarily hard to control.
The proper steps must be taken following a rehabilitation program to help ease the person back into their everyday lifestyle; otherwise, the chances for relapsing is inevitable.
People usually seek support once completing their program by finding a sober living home/facility.
The recovery process can be grueling, but living in a sober living facility provides a safe place with others going through similar obstacles, further adding continued support during a challenging transition.
Sober living is where a person resides during the transition period, which occurs directly after being in a drug or alcohol rehabilitation center. Being in a sober living facility can help a person maintain a stable and sober lifestyle, and that can be challenging once temptation occurs.
A sober living home offers healthy coping skills and habits that benefit the residents transitioning from a rehab facility to regular life outside a structured environment.
One of the main benefits of being in a sober living home is the chance to live a sober life, free of drugs and or alcohol, but the addiction process created certain habits over time that are hard to break.
Addictions change how your brain cells work, making it extremely hard to keep the urge under control. Drugs affect the brain’s “reward circuit,” producing a euphoric feeling, which will motivate that person to repeat that same behavior. Dopamine, a feel-good chemical in the brain, is also released, reinforcing the enjoyable yet unhealthy behavior. Over time, the brain will adapt by releasing less dopamine, causing tolerance to the drug or alcohol substance. The unfortunate result is an increased intake of the substance being abused and a habit that cannot seem to be broken.
Research has shown that it can take up to 66 days for a new habit to form, and until the drug or alcohol habit has ceased, the risk for relapse remains high, which is why living sober and creating healthy new habits is essential.
Another life-changing benefit of being in a sober living house means breaking the bad habits that created the addiction and staying on a clean path one day at a time. Other benefits to living in a sober living residence include:
When a person chooses to live a sober life, their life gets better. You find yourself sleeping better; your weight stabilizes, you avoid life-threatening complications due to the damage done internally, your immune system improves, you have more energy and are far more productive.
The benefits of living a sober life are astonishing, which is why the transition process from rehab to reality is so critical.
Sober living homes are located all over America. Besides safe housing and support, sober living homes also provide a structured living condition with rules that must be followed. Most sober living homes have a “house manager” responsible for the residents’ daily activities.
Although sober living homes are less restrictive than the in-patient rehabilitation treatment center, they still have their own set of rules for the residents, which can include the following:
Sober living homes are independently owned and operated, and the rules can vary from home to home, but the benefits of sober living homes are phenomenal.
The transition from a structured treatment center directly into the outside world can leave a person feeling isolated and scared. A sober living home provides freedom yet structure to assist in the adjustment process.
Another benefit, and a vital one, is the reduced chance of relapse. The outside world can bring a massive amount of temptation, especially when things go wrong, but learning a relapse prevention plan and what triggers may provoke a person to relapse can be found in sober living homes during the treatment sessions.
Sober living homes offer an abundant amount of benefits, and having a plan of action to deal with anything life throws; you can be the ultimate light at the end of a very dark tunnel.
Obtaining a sober living home near you is vital in your recovery process. Because each home can vary in its rules and regulations, it must be a perfect fit, especially since the length of your stay can last at least a few weeks to a few months if needed.
Finding a sober living home near you can be done using our directory. Our resources can help find the specific care needed because each person has their unique requirements.
Locating a sober living home near you should not cause distress, so with just a keyboard stroke away, our directory can help find the individualized assistance you need.
Living a sober life is an ongoing process, and with daily life stressors being dropped on you, sometimes unexpectedly, the challenge to remain sober can be a daunting one. So, this is why finding the best sober living home is critical in the recovery process. Fortunately, finding that life raft to clarity can be done quite effortlessly by utilizing our directory.
What you learn during your time in a sober living residence, you can take with you out in the “real world” and apply it to daily life. Staying sober and having clarity is something that can be done… one day at a time.