For individuals in early recovery, sober living is an essential transitional tool that helps people build and develop the necessary skills to live independently while maintaining their abstinence from drugs and alcohol. It is generally a structured environment in which individuals must meet daily chores, follow curfews and other house rules, attend meetings, and participate in community service or work. Many sober living homes and substance abuse halfway houses also provide training, from basic life skills, like cooking and cleaning, to career support, helping residents get back into the workforce and find a job.

Sober living is an important step in a person’s recovery, because it gives them the time to learn how to deal with their feelings and thoughts without using drugs or alcohol. It also allows them to learn new coping mechanisms, and develop a support system that will last a lifetime. In addition, it provides a safe and supportive environment, away from the negative environmental influences that contributed to their active addiction.

Some people benefit more from sober living than others. These include:

Individuals who have recently finished a treatment program or are in outpatient treatment:

It is often difficult to go straight from a clinical treatment environment to living in the world again, especially with all of the stressors and triggers that can come along with it. Sober living offers a place for these individuals to continue to focus on their recovery, while being able to go to school or work and have access to a community of other sober, like-minded individuals. Many of these individuals have cooccurring mental health issues, or other physical conditions, and moving into a sober living home will allow them to be surrounded by others that may have similar concerns. They can also learn and practice the skills they learned in treatment, such as self-care, communication and relapse prevention.