Category Archives: Sober Living

Sober Living

Sober Houses: What They Are and How They Help With Sobriety

Sober Home, Sober Living, Uncategorized

Life after leaving rehab or inpatient treatment can be challenging. Many people need help to transition back to their communities and lives, making a sober living house a great option to help make the move smoother. If you’re wondering what a sober house is like, read on to find out how it works and if it’s the right step for you.

What is a Sober House?

A sober house is a place where people can live while they are in the process of recovery from addiction. In some cases, sober houses can be found within larger facilities, such as a rehab center, where people can reside for a time and learn the skills needed for long-term recovery. A sober house can also be independent of a larger treatment center, and sometimes, former treatment patients can go through a sober living program of sorts as they transition back into life after treatment before they return home.

An intake counselor takes information about a person’s physical health, mental health concerns, drug use history, and treatment objectives when they check into a sober house. Counselors identify particular requirements that the program can satisfy and assist in explaining the home routine so that residents understand what is expected of them. Drug and alcohol testing may be performed regularly to verify that everyone in the house remains sober. Some sober houses enable members to go to school, work, or volunteer while living there.

What to Expect When Moving into a Sober Living House

One of the most often asked questions about sober living houses is what life is like daily. Daily and weekly routines are used in sober houses to assist members to live as a family unit working toward similar goals. Cooking and cleaning duties are shared so that everyone contributes to the efficient operation of the sober house. Many persons who have spent an extended period buried in drug and alcohol addiction have lacked a routine and benefit from having one again. As a resident of the home, individuals learn to accept responsibility, collaborate, and hold themselves accountable.

What’s the Difference Between a Sober and a Halfway House?

When seeking help while working on your sobriety, it’s crucial to grasp the distinction between sober living and halfway homes so you can determine which is best for you.

Some sober living homes are now associated with addiction treatment programs. In contrast, others are operated by sober living professionals whose only purpose is to create a safe living environment for persons in this stage of recovery.

So, what exactly is a halfway house? Some halfway homes are managed by government entities. Halfway houses can be busy and dorm-like, whereas sober living homes are more like private homes, providing occupants with more solitude and comfort.

Another distinguishing characteristic between sober living and halfway houses is the expense. Halfway homes are often the least priced alternative since they offer fewer amenities, less privacy, and less structure. On the other hand, Sober living is occasionally covered by insurance, making it a practical alternative for persons who may benefit from this level of support.

Conclusion

Living in a sober home is a significant transition step for someone considering returning home to live independently. It offers structure, support, and a new lease on life to help people get back on their feet.

Stayhaven Homes offers affordable shared housing in Stanislaus, Merced, and Sacramento. We proudly provide special housing options for teens, the elderly, veterans, and more. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you! 

How Loneliness Can Hamper Your Journey to Sobriety

Depression Housing, Group Homes, Halfway Homes, Mental Illness Housing, Shared Housing, Sober Home, Sober Living

Many of you may not know this but loneliness can get in the way of sobriety. This is alarming as this can be a real hindrance to an individual’s journey to sobriety. Because of this, we thought it would be useful to have a brief discussion on this subject. If this is something that you want to learn more about, read on as we discuss how loneliness can hamper your journey to sobriety.

Understanding the Difference Between Loneliness and Being Alone

It’s important to understand that there is a difference between loneliness and being alone. In sobriety, alone time is often needed as a restorative period that makes socializing more enjoyable in the long run. However, being alone does not always mean feeling lonely. In fact, you can be lonely even if you are with other people.

Instead of looking at loneliness as an emotion caused by being alone, it’s better to view it as a state of mind. Loneliness is the perception of being disconnected from everyone else whether or not you are in close proximity with other people. 

People who feel lonely often have low self-esteem. Factors such as feeling worthless, feeling guilty, being mentally distressed, and having poor coping skills can cause someone to feel lonely.

Loneliness and Sobriety

It may not seem like loneliness is a potential trigger for relapse, but isolation can be extremely impactful. Loneliness has long been tied to high-risk behavior like substance abuse. As a result, people in recovery may succumb to the temptation of old behaviors in these moments of weakness.

For example, you could be separated from family members while you are going through treatment, or you could be living on your own after rehabilitation, and you don’t have a community of friends or supportive individuals to help you through the tough times. You might feel like you’re facing life’s challenges alone, but this isn’t the case.

The earliest steps of recovery from addiction can be especially painful, as you begin to face up to the way you have hurt those close to you by your addiction and the damage to your relationships. It is easy, in the midst of these emotions, to feel lonely and try to soothe the pain with something false, such as alcohol or drugs. This is why loneliness plays a big role when it comes to people living in sobriety to relapse.

Best Ways to Deal With Loneliness In Sobriety

Although loneliness can be difficult in sobriety, it can be combated in many positive ways. To help make things easier for you, here are a couple of ways to deal with loneliness in sobriety.

If you’re still struggling with loneliness and need support, consider talking to a therapist. A licensed therapist can help you talk through your feelings of loneliness, as well as uncover any issues that may be contributing to this distressing emotion. Therapy can help you process these emotions in a safe and supportive environment.

Attending AA meetings is a great way to make new friends and meet people who are dedicated to their sobriety. The AA community encourages individuals to care deeply for their physical and emotional well-being, knowing that loneliness can be one of the primary causes of relapse.

Conclusion

We hope this article proves to be useful when it comes to helping you understand the effect that loneliness can have on sobriety. As you can see, loneliness can really get in the way of sobriety. Be sure to take everything you learned here and apply it to your life so you can best navigate sobriety.

Are you looking for affordable shared housing in Stanislaus County, CA? Stayhaven Homes is worth checking out. We offer specialized housing programs for populations with special needs, including seniors, veterans, disabled people, low-income individuals, sober-living persons, and other similar concerns. Contact us today to learn more.

Our Beginner’s Guide to Finding the Right Housemate

Boarding Homes, Group Homes, Halfway Homes, Shared Housing, Sober Living, Standard Post, Transitional Living

Shared housing can be a great option if you’re looking for affordable and flexible housing solutions. Despite how conveniently shared housing is, it doesn’t come without its own unique challenges. One of the most difficult things about shared housing is finding the right housemate. This is easier said than done as there are a slew of different things that you need to do to find a good housemate. You’ll want to be thorough when doing this as living with someone that’s incompatible with you and the living arrangements will cause a lot of problems for you down the line. 

To help you out with this, we thought it would be useful to put together a short article on how to connect with a good housemate. If this is something that you’re interested in learning more about, read on for our beginner’s guide to finding the right housemate.

Determine Your Needs and Deal Breakers

The first thing you’ll want to do is to determine your needs and your deal breakers. By establishing these two things, you’ll be able to accurately sift through potential housemates. When it comes to your needs, make sure that they are reasonable as you may have a hard time locating a good housemate if your standards are too high. When it comes to your dealbreakers make sure that they are really things that you absolutely can’t live with. The last thing you want is to have a list of deal breakers that are composed of minor annoyances. Sharing a house with someone is all about compromise, so it’s best to keep an open mind.

Get the Word Out

Once you know what you’re looking for, it’s time to get the word out. Make sure to maximize your network so that you can reach as many people as possible. Looking for a housemate within your network is also preferred as it’ll likely be someone you know or an acquaintance of an acquaintance. You’ll also want to utilize the internet and social media as these are the most effective ways to find potential housemates.

Talk to Potential Housemates

Once you’ve found potential housemates, it’s time to sit down and talk to them. This is crucial as this will allow you to have a better feel of the kind of person they are. When it comes to talking to potential housemates, be sure to ask relevant questions that will help you decide whether or not they’ll be good to live with. You should ask questions about what they are looking for in terms of housing and why they are looking for shared housing solutions.

Ask for References

Lastly, you’ll want to make sure to ask them for references. While we aren’t saying you can’t trust them, it’s best to be thorough when it comes to choosing a housemate as you’ll be spending a lot of time with them. For the best results, try to find someone with references that speak highly of them and their character.

Conclusion

We hope this article proves to be useful when it comes to helping you find the right housemate. While living with someone you barely know may seem odd, this shouldn’t be too much of a problem as long as you pick a good housemate. Be sure to keep all of the information we’ve listed above in mind so you can find the right housemate for you.

If you’re looking for shared housing in Sacramento, then you’ve come to the right place. We here at Stayhaven Homes are dedicated to helping our clients by providing them with inclusive and affordable housing. We provide a wide variety of special needs housing options for adult men and women. For more information on what we can do for you, visit our website today!