Buena Vista Health and Recovery Centers

Sober living homes, also known as sober living centers and sober living environments, are establishments that offer safe residential living conditions and supportive, structured residential living arrangements for those exiting treatment programs for substance abuse. The center typically consists of five or more individual rooms, each of which serves an essential function of providing a safe, comfortable living environment. As the center provides a “home away from home,” residents often leave their home addicted to drugs or alcohol behind them with a sense of security and peace. In some cases, the center has a doctor on staff to provide medical care while the residents are away from their addiction.

The basic goal of sober living homes is to help individuals in recovery from their addictions re-enter into society with a clean slate. These facilities are designed to provide a safe place for the recovering addict to live away from the temptations that are often associated with drug and alcohol abuse. Some residential care facilities include onsite counseling, which is provided by licensed psychologists, social workers, or other mental health care providers. Many also have access to onsite rehabilitation programs, depending upon their specific needs. In addition, some facilities offer short-term or long-term programs with a focus on various aspects of sobriety, including therapy, group activities, and group meetings. The goal of these programs is to help the residents identify positive behaviors, cope with stress and concerns, and gain a deeper understanding of their addiction and the impact it is having on their life.

When deciding on a residential care facility, it’s important to do your research. Visit each facility to see if the treatment services are comprehensive and up to date. Also, check if any of the residents may be using drugs or alcohol in the facility. If so, the facility should offer ongoing counseling services and support groups that can help those recovering from addiction overcome those addictions. Lastly, be sure to request a tour of the facility if at all possible to see how clean it is and if any of the residents are showing signs of relapse.