While completing an accredited treatment program is an essential first step in getting clean and sober, it’s only one part of the continuum of care. You also need a plan for where you’ll go and what you’ll do after you get discharged from an inpatient rehab center. Many people in the vulnerable early stages of recovery find they need the additional structure and support found in a transitional living facility. What does this entail, and what benefits can you expect to discover?
What Is Transitional Living?
Newly sober people may find that a return to the “real world” after living in a long-term care facility comes as a bit of a culture shock. Immersing yourself back into a fast-paced, high-stress environment at a time when you’re still emotionally fragile can feel overwhelming. No matter how much progress you made during treatment, lacking the structure and schedule you became accustomed to may jeopardize your sobriety. Sober living allows you to have independence, while removing the temptations and distractions associated with returning to your old lifestyle and behavioral patterns. In a transitional living group home, everyone is working toward the same shared goals of rebuilding their lives, practicing their newly learned coping mechanisms and following the path to health and wellness. Consider these advantages of making sober living part of your aftercare plan.
1. Reliable Guidance and Support
In a sober living home, you will live among others who support your recovery and hold you accountable. Daily group meetings and check-ins will help give you the structure you need to avoid temptations and cope with challenging emotions. Adherence to house rules and regular drug screenings will keep you on track with your sobriety as you gradually earn privileges in this home-like environment.
2. Stable, Sober Relationships
One of the most notable sober living benefits is the new friendships you’ll forge in a transitional living home. All your neighbors will be people who are on the recovery journey with you. They know firsthand what it is like to abuse drugs or alcohol, to crave these substances to the exclusion of other interests and to witness their lives spiraling out of control. Above all else, they have a newfound desire to change and get better without relying on drugs or alcohol. Living in a sober house can also help reduce feelings of loneliness and isolation, which are a characteristic part of the addiction cycle. In sober living, you’ll never be alone. Everyone in your community will share similar experiences, which will give you common ground and foster a sense of belonging. These people will form the backbone of your lifelong sober network.
3. Improved Life Skills
When addiction took over your life, you may have started ignoring other responsibilities. These might have included eating a balanced diet, getting enough physical activity, keeping a clean home and maintaining healthy hygiene habits. Another benefit of sober living is the structure it will restore to your life. In treatment and a transitional home, you will relearn how to stick to a routine and maintain a healthy lifestyle. You will hone essential life skills and responsibilities and learn to live independently, without relying on alcohol or drugs.
High-Accountability Sober Living in Texas
The longer you spend working on your recovery with structured treatment options, the more likely you’ll be to succeed in making a full recovery and avoiding a relapse. To learn more about transitional living at Segue Recovery Support, contact us today.