By Alicia Zane

Your journey to recovery usually begins with a drug rehab center. It is undoubtedly an effective way to start dealing with substance abuse disorders and other related issues. Typically, such centers provide programs that focus on treating the entire person rather than just the addiction. And that is precisely what makes them so effective. However, admission to a residential rehab center is only the beginning. Completing the program will provide you with the tools necessary to deal with life situations afterward, and your recovery journey is a lifelong process. So, the first decision you will have to make once you leave rehab is where you will live. There are two options: moving back into an old neighborhood and living in a sober house. 

Deciding where to live after rehab can be a hard decision to make. It will depend on your recovery progress, your relapse history, and your living situation. You will have to consider many things before you can decide what the right option for you is. Therefore, here are some advantages and disadvantages of both living in a sober house and moving back into an old neighborhood after rehab. Hopefully, it will point you in the right direction that will keep you on the right track.

Living in a sober house after rehab

Before we discuss the good and bad sides of living in a sober house, it is vital to understand what it is exactly. In simple words, it is a group living environment, free of mind-altering substances. Its residents are people recovering from drug or alcohol abuse. It is a place that will help you transition back into the world while you are getting used to sobriety. The principle behind sober living facilities is that immediate return to your old home can be overly stressful. As a result, it can trigger a relapse. 

It would be a mistake to compare these places to a rehab center. While rehab centers provide residential treatment, sober living homes resemble regular neighborhoods. The difference is that they are designed to accommodate groups of people in recovery living together and are typically located in quiet areas. Also, residents have to take drug tests randomly, which is a way to keep the environment safe and drug-free. Moreover, they can come and go as they please, but they have to follow the rules and curfews. Finally, you have to pay the rent, cook, shop for groceries, clean, and be responsible for yourself in sober living homes. 

The advantages of living in a sober home

Besides easing the transition from a rehab facility to independent sober living, sober homes have many advantages. Here are the most notable ones:

Accountability

In a sober home, you will be held accountable for your behavior. It is critical for learning to live sober independently, which is an integral element of every recovery. For example, the role of the family in the life of recovering individuals is immense. However, family members assume different roles in this type of situation. And one of these roles is an enabler. Believing they are helping and supporting their loved ones, they actually do the opposite.

An enabler stomps the progress a person in recovery is making by not letting them take responsibility for their actions. In a sober home, this element is removed while allows personal growth. 

Support during recovery

Living in a sober house after rehab provides a solid support system for a person in recovery. This is particularly beneficial for individuals who would otherwise lack support. This type of arrangement means that you will have constant support from people who have been experiencing the same. It will help you realize you are not alone, and there are people who perfectly understand what you are going through and who can help keep you on the right track if you experience sudden cravings. 

In addition, continued attendance of recovery meetings is not only encouraged but may be a requirement in sober homes. Residents in these communities regularly attend meetings and often have an option of individual

counseling. There are also different group therapy sessions. All of these are highly beneficial and play a crucial role in helping recovering individuals stay sober. 

The development of interpersonal skills

It is very common for newly sober individuals to have difficulty communicating with others. They may begin doubting themselves and their abilities or experience different issues that may impede their recovery. So, once again, being surrounded by people who share not only your problems and experiences but also goals will help you overcome this and be ready for normal life later. Talking to others who are going through the same will help you deal

with challenges, gain confidence, and develop new interpersonal skills. All of that you can then transfer to your regular life. 

Help to maintain the necessary structure

Maintaining structure and routine in sobriety is elemental, especially in the beginning. And that is precisely what sober living facilities will provide. What is more, this type of structure has proven to increase the sober success rates because it all happens in an environment where stress is reduced to a minimum, slowly easing you back into the world. 

In general, living in areas with less noise, traffic, and activity can be very advantageous for people who can be triggered by stress. Therefore, many recovering individuals decide to move to the suburbs and leave the commotion

of the big city. That way, they try to create a more calming environment for themselves, where they can practice sobriety and reduce the number of triggers. 

Moving back into an old neighborhood after rehab

Another option you have is moving back into an old neighborhood after rehab. There are situations when this is not advisable. For example, if you will have no support system or if the area is the place where you will quickly go back to your old ways. 

Still, many recovering individuals choose this option because of the family, friends, and pets eagerly waiting for them. After all, it is not easy to leave a spouse and even kids when you enroll in rehab. So, reuniting with them makes this prospect highly attractive. 

In addition, we cannot disregard the financial aspect of moving back home. As beneficial as sober living homes are, they do come with a price tag. Moreover, the person may have to go back to work after rehab, which is a good thing that will help maintain structure in their daily life.

Finally, as we have mentioned, living in sober homes means sharing living space with a group of people. Some people prefer the comfort of having their own room and privacy. Also, it would be foolish to neglect the importance of the familiarity of your own home. So, these can also be decisive factors when choosing whether to go back home after rehab or move into a sober living house. 

Moving back into an old neighborhood or living in a sober house after rehab? 

Both moving back into an old neighborhood and living in a sober house after rehab have their advantages. However, the right option for you will depend on you and your situation alone. The important thing is to determine if you will have a solid enough support system to keep you on the right path and if you will be able to avoid the stress and other triggers that may cause a relapse. In the end, your well-being is the most important thing. Therefore, you have to choose the best option for you and be unapologetic about it. 

By Alicia Zane