Sober living near me
Sober living near me is a term that many search for when selecting a sober living facility. While some people find that a nearby home is right for their situation, for many, leaving the area where their addiction developed can offer the greatest odds of a successful recovery from addiction. Getting away from triggers and distractions in your home state can provide the time and space necessary to build the strongest foundation for long-term sobriety. Learn more about choosing between local and out-of-state sober living programs.
Out-of-state programs or sober living near me?
When choosing a sober living home, there are a number of factors to consider. It may be tempting to simply type sober living near me into the search bar and select the closest option to you. But you may want to reconsider and weigh the pros and cons before making this decision.
Local sober living homes certainly offer a number of benefits including proximity to work, school, family, friends and home, but in some cases, these pros can also challenge your sobriety while it is still fragile. Here are 3 few reasons why you may want to look at out-of-state:
1. Sober living near me can mean more exposure to triggers
Many who struggle with addiction use substances to cope with personal difficulties. Some have self-medicated for most of their lives and lack the ability to manage challenging emotional situations without substances. Moreover, the urge to use can be triggered by familiar people, places or situations associated with one’s drug use. In fact, using drugs and alcohol can almost become a reflex for some when confronted with cues and reminders of their addiction.
It can take time to learn how to manage cravings and respond to negative emotions. Unfortunately, for many, their home towns are fraught with triggers, stressors and people that encourage them to drink or use drugs, which can lead to relapse. For this reason, it can be extremely beneficial to take space away from local triggers while forming coping skills and developing strategies for dealing with cravings, triggers, and difficult situations. Moreover, a long-term stay at an out-of-state sober living home offers residents the time and space needed to really get to the root of what caused their addiction in the first place.
Struggling with addiction? Call us for a free consultation
If you are considering addiction treatment for yourself or someone in your life, now is the time to take action. Addiction is a deadly disease that has taken too many lives, broken up families and destroyed futures. Liberty Ranch offers free consultations. Call 888-387-1531 to talk to a specialist that can let you know about the treatment options available and help you select the right program.
2. Out-of-state programs can provide space to process new emotions
Once sober, many find themselves flooded with waves of emotions they have long repressed by using drugs and alcohol. These feelings can be extremely confusing, overwhelming and painful at first. Additionally, a significant proportion of individuals with substance use disorders have experienced trauma. When a person is so used to avoiding and escaping difficult feelings and memories, it can take time, support and therapy to understand what is happening internally and heal. Having some time to reflect away from distractions at an out-of-state facility may be helpful to some as they adjust and process these feelings.
3. New environments can open your mind to new possibilities
Many people find that a different environment and fresh scenery helps spark new feelings, an openness to possibilities and a change in mindset that leads them to commit 100% to their recovery. If you just click on the first result under sober living near me, you may limit the possibility of exposing yourself to new experiences and environments that can inspire your recovery journey.
Benefits of out-of-state sober living
When looking for a sober living home, instead of just typing sober living near me, take some time to consider what will be best for your recovery. Although initially it seems to make sense to look for a sober living nearby, there are several reasons why finding a program away from home might be the right decision for you. Choosing out-of-state facility instead of “sober living near me” will allow you to:
- Build a strong foundation to support the transition to substance free-living
- Take space away from triggers that threaten your sobriety
- Escape daily stresses that could provoke a relapse in early recovery
- Learn new skills, heal, and build self-worth free from distractions
- Take time away from detrimental relationships while you work on your recovery
- Limit access to your drug of choice, as it will no longer be just a call away
- Avoid running into people you know or individuals who will threaten your sobriety
- Enjoy the change of scenery!
In the end, this decision will depend on what works best for your situation. However, we believe that distance from the people, places and situations associated with your addiction provides the best foundation for recovery and increases the odds of long-term sobriety. While “sober living near me” is right for some, we find that getting away from local triggers and distractions is the best option for many seeking to build a strong foundation for sustainable sobriety.
Concerned about a loved ones addiction?
If you are worried about a loved one abusing drugs or alcohol, you don’t have to sit idly by. Overdose is an all too real possibility. Friends and family can be instrumental in encouraging a person to get help. Although you cannot force someone to attend treatment, there are a number of ways you can encourage them to seek help without inadvertently enabling their addiction. Check out our guides on how to talk to your adult child, teenager, parent or significant other about their addiction and getting treatment. Contact Liberty Ranch for a free consultation for more help.
Why go to sober living?
Sober living homes are substance-free housing facilities for individuals recovering from substance use disorders. Sober living homes provide a transitional environment where residents can work on developing life skills, coping abilities and prepare to live independently. Residents live among peers focused on the shared goals of recovery and remaining drug and alcohol free.
For many, they choose to attend a sober living home after completing an inpatient or outpatient treatment program. Others with less severe addictions may go directly to sober living.
Following treatment, many struggle with the re-entry process. Navigating life without the aid of substances can feel overwhelming. A stable living environment is extremely important to the recovery process. Sober living homes provide residents with a sense of safety and support as they get back on their feet.
It can also take time to truly learn how to address difficult and triggering situations without drugs and alcohol. Sober living helps individuals going through this transition learn and practice recovery skills in a safe and supportive environment, increasing the odds of long-term sobriety.
Moreover, individuals with substance dependency issues may lack certain relational, emotional and life skills. This can be because of codependency, enabling relationships, because they are so used to turning to substances in difficult situations or for other reasons. In sober living, residents work on these issues and develop healthier ways of relating to themselves and others.
Who is sober living for?
A long-term stay at a sober living can be beneficial to individuals in a variety of circumstances. Most commonly, sober living is recommended to graduates of treatment programs. This is because recovery is a process that takes time, practice and reinforcement. Sober living is a key step in the continuum of care for recent graduates of drug and alcohol addiction programs as well as other individuals, including people who:
- Struggle with addiction and do not require detox
- Need extra support in their recovery
- Are already in recovery but feel a relapse coming on
- Struggle with independence or lack certain life skills
- Need a stable, substance-free living environment
- Have recently complete a treatment program
Other factors to consider when choosing a sober living home
Before selecting the first search result for sober living near me, there are several other factors you should consider in your decision in addition to location. Not all sober homes are the same. There can be significant variation in terms of programming, level of care, supervision, expertise and support.
At the least, sober living homes provide a substance-free environment where individuals with substance use disorders can live among others in recovery. On the other end of the spectrum are sober living homes that provide more comprehensive programming and support.
For many, the goal of spending time in a sober living home is to develop the capacities necessary for a sustainable recovery. Comprehensive programs support participants in their recovery journey, offering guidance, education and counseling. Residents create a strong foundation for long-term sobriety, as they develop emotional awareness, coping abilities, strategies for confronting triggers, independence, and job skills.
To find the best facility for you, there are several questions you may want to ask yourself as well as the prospective sober living home.
Questions to ask yourself:
- How committed are you to recovery and following the rules of a facility?
- Do you prefer a gender-specific living home?
- What type of programming is important to you?
- What level of supervision do you require?
- Do you need a sober living home nearby because of personal commitments or would it be best for you to find a facility that will provide time and space away from local distractions and triggers?
- What are your financial constraints and does the facility allow you to work there or elsewhere?
Questions to ask the facility:
- How long has the facility been in operation?
- What is the standard of living/living environment at home?
- What are the obligations of the residents?
- What is the code of conduct at the sober living home?
- What level of regular support is provided by staff?
- What life skills education does the facility provide?
- Is access to other therapeutic services available?
- How are residents held accountable for their sobriety?
- Do you have rights to personal items?
- How are conflicts resolved at the facility?
- Is family involvement supported?
- Are there peer support meetings?
- Does the facility provide job support?
Whether you decide to type sober living near me into the search bar or opt for out-of-state sober living, location is only one factor in choosing the right sober living home for you. It is important to think about what you do and don’t want in a sober living home and to ask the right questions. Above are just some of the questions that may be helpful when making the decision. Quality, support, and a strong program are important factors to a successful recovery.
