Sober living is much like the name implies—it’s the act of living drug- and alcohol-free, often in an environment dedicated to individuals overcoming problems with substance abuse. Sober living homes help make this possible. They provide safe, structured, supportive spaces where people can remain abstinent and re-build their lives after drug rehab.
If you or a loved one is in recovery from addiction, you might be considering a sober living home. However, the idea of “sober living” can sound intimidating or conflicting with everyday life. You might have questions like: How long does it take to get sober? How long do I have to live sober? Or, how long am I allowed to stay in a sober living home?
Before diving into these questions, it’s important to note that everyone struggling with substance abuse will recover on their own timeline. There is no set number of weeks or months that will guarantee long-term abstinence. However, there is research supporting minimum lengths of treatment and sobriety for lasting success. We explore these in more detail, below.
What is a sober living home and why are they important?
Sober living homes, also called sober living houses (SLHs) are facilities that provide substance-free living environments for individuals attempting to abstain from drugs and alcohol.
Sober living homes are typically offered outside the context of treatment; however, they are not replacements for treatment. Most people struggling with substance addiction will require time in a detoxification and/or treatment center before starting their sober living journey. Then, after completing a treatment program, a sober living home is recommended.
Addiction is a chronic, relapsing disease that takes a long time to overcome. While you will learn coping skills and healthy habits in a drug treatment program, reintegration into mainstream society can be tough. As a newly sober individual, returning to old residences and social circles right after treatment can trigger memories and cravings. People in these settings may not be sober or fully support your recovery. That’s where a sober living house comes into play.
Sober living houses serve as transitional residences where you can start to re-build a life after treatment. It provides a safe, drug-free space where you can continue to recover with other peers, walking in similar shoes.
Studies show that individuals with (primarily) sober social networks have better recovery outcomes several years down the road. Sober living homes provide that sober community while also giving you a comfortable and structured place to live and continue your healing journey.
How long can you stay in a sober living home?
Sober living homes are often seen as transitional residences, meaning they aren’t “forever” homes. However, for most sober living houses, there is no set length of time in which you are allowed to stay.
While halfway houses (which are government funded) have limitations around lengths of stay, sober living homes are usually privately run—meaning they do not need to comply with standardized rules and can set their own framework or timelines for residents. Usually, sober living homes will allow a person to stay until they are fully ready for independent living, as long as this person is following the house rules.
Sober living houses usually have rules and expectations of residents, to ensure all members are held accountable and contribute to a comfortable, supportive environment. This might include structured rules around cleaning, meal preparation, holding a job, curfews, regular drug testing, attending therapy or meetings, and, of course, abstaining from drugs and alcohol.
With that said, what is the typical length of stay in a sober living home?
People will often live in sober living homes for several months or years after completing treatment. Recent research, published by the National Library of Medicine, found that staying in a sober living home for at least six months can lead to better outcomes, including longer periods of abstinence, reduced mental health issues, and lower odds of legal troubles.
With that said, it’s recommended that you stay in a sober living home for six months or longer. Before moving out of this environment, be sure you are fully ready to take on the challenges of daily living, with the skills needed to cope with difficult emotions and triggers, as well as to carry out a healthy lifestyle.
How long does it take to complete treatment and get sober?
As described above, sober living homes are just one step in the recovery process—but not the first one. Prior to moving into a sober living environment, it’s highly recommended that you receive the appropriate treatment and care. Depending on the severity of your substance problem, this might require detoxification (to ease withdrawal symptoms) or an inpatient treatment setting, to mitigate mental health issues and the chance of relapse.
The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) advises that for people struggling with a substance use disorder, at least 90 days of treatment should be completed. Longer bouts of treatment are associated with even better treatment outcomes, and are recommended for certain types of substance use disorders.
The NIDA explains, “Research has shown unequivocally that good outcomes are contingent on adequate treatment length. Generally, for residential or outpatient treatment, participation for less than 90 days is of limited effectiveness, and treatment lasting significantly longer is recommended for maintaining positive outcomes. For methadone maintenance, 12 months is considered the minimum, and some opioid-addicted individuals continue to benefit from methadone maintenance for many years.”
At Turnbridge, we wholeheartedly agree—and our clients are living proof of the effectiveness of long-term drug treatment. Among our residents, the highest success rates have been reported among those who spent at least 270 days, or roughly nine months, in our treatment program. 95% of residents who completed this length of stay remained sober one year later.
Why is the one-year mark so important? According to studies from Psychology Today, people who remain sober for at least one year have much lower relapse rates than their counterparts. And individuals who remain abstinent from drugs or alcohol for five years avoid relapse 85% of the time.
And while sobriety is a great marker of success, it isn’t the full story. Turnbridge clients who spent nine months or more in treatment also reported:
- A stronger ability to cope with stress
- Better physical health
- Better relationships
- More self-sufficiency
- Higher chance of employment
This all, in turn, led to more satisfied, gratified, and healthy individuals after treatment was complete.
Of course, everyone progresses through treatment at different paces, and there is no “magic” number of days or months that will ensure a lasting recovery. At the end of the day, the length of stay in a sober living home or drug treatment program will depend on the individual.
How long do I need to stay in a sober living home?
The duration of stay in a sober living facility will depend on your individual needs and progress in a treatment program.
For some people, substance addiction is only one side of the coin. Those with substance use disorders also might struggle with co-occurring disorders like depression, anxiety, trauma, and other psychiatric conditions that require another layer of care. These needs will vary by the individual, but can require longer stays in treatment, to ensure all needs are met.
Additionally, length of stay can depend on one’s progress and compliance in this type of environment. Some sober living houses will encourage you to move out when you are ready for independent living. However, if you are not making significant progress in rehab, or if you relapse while in a sober home, you will likely be encouraged to stay longer. This is, of course, assuming you comply with the house rules. Those who relapse might be required to take more regular drug tests, attend more support groups or meetings, and keep regular appointments with a therapist. Sober living houses will also require you to meet expectations as a resident, such as keeping the home clean and paying rent. Failure to meet these requirements can result in eviction, depending on the home.
How long can you stay at Turnbridge’s sober living residences?
Turnbridge is a mental health and substance abuse treatment provider for teens and young adults. We offer both inpatient and outpatient treatment programs to those in need, as well as extended care programs and sober living facilities to help reintegrate clients into society.
Turnbridge operates on a phased approach, in which residents work through recovery at their own pace. You must be making progress in order to get to the next phase; there are no time constraints.
In Phase III of our residential treatment program, clients are empowered to start branching back into mainstream life while still living under the comfort and security of our facility. It’s a bridge between treatment and a fully sober life. Clients live in sober living residences, under our watchful care, while also going out and taking college classes, getting part-time jobs, volunteering, attending 12-step meetings, establishing their own healthy routines, and planning for their futures.
At Turnbridge, no one leaves the nest until they are ready. And when the time comes, we work hard to ensure that all residents have the resources they need to continue living sober after treatment is through. It is not just cut and dry; every Turnbridge graduate walks away with the building blocks for long-term sobriety and success.
Interested in learning more about the sober living program at Turnbridge? Call us today at 877-581-1793 to speak with one of our admissions staff.