How to Choose the Best Sober Living Home in South Florida

Addiction is a chronic and progressive disease that requires extensive treatment and lifelong maintenance to sustain long-term recovery. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, the relapse rate for substance use disorder is between 40 to 60%. With that being said, it’s important to take advantage of all of the services available for addiction recovery.

Upon completing an addiction treatment program, you might feel like you have completed the recovery process. However, recovery is a lifelong feat that must be maintained daily. Finishing inpatient rehab is only the beginning of your recovery journey.

Once you leave an inpatient facility, you will be introduced to new triggers in the outside world. Staying in a sober living home in South Florida can provide you with the support and assistance you need to successfully transition into independent living. But how do you choose the best sober living home in the area?

What to Look for When Choosing a Sober Living Home in South Florida

Sober living homes are a type of transitional housing that can help you learn how to live a successful life as a sober individual. Sober homes help you learn how to overcome triggers, obtain jobs, create a healthy daily schedule, and meet life goals. Before you choose a sober living program in South Florida, you should be aware of what makes these homes successful.

Location

The location of your sober living home is more important than you might think. The first thing you should consider is whether the house is in a safe area. Being around crime and high rates of substance abuse will not be beneficial to your recovery.

When considering the location of a sober living home, ask the following questions:

• Is the house in a neighborhood that is conducive to addiction recovery?
• Is the sober living home close to your work or school?
• Are there recovery meetings near the sober living home?
• Can you easily get places without a car (i.e. via public transit, a bicycle, or walking)?
• Can you access health care nearby if needed?
• Are there fun activities nearby that are suited for addiction recovery?
• Are you close to your friends or family members if they are supportive of sobriety?

Rules and Guidelines

Reputable sober living homes in South Florida have a list of rules and expectations that residents must follow. These rules are put in place to keep you and your housemates safe and sober. If a house doesn’t have rules, it may not have the structure you need to stay clean.

Common rules and guidelines for sober living homes include:

• Required participation in 12-step meetings or other sober support communities
• Random drug and alcohol testing
• Policies on romantic relationships
• Strict restrictions on drugs and alcohol within the home
• Visitor policies to keep you and other residents safe
• Requirements for finding a job or attending school
• Curfews to ensure that you are staying accountable
• Expectations to complete house chores to help you learn how to manage your own home in the future

Accreditations or Licensing

Just like addiction treatment centers, sober living homes can become accredited or licensed. Accreditation and licensing prove that the program is up to standard on rules, policies, and services they provide. When you are looking for a sober living home in South Florida, you should choose one that is accredited or licensed by the Florida Association of Recovery Residences (FARR).

Recovery Support Services

The best sober living homes in South Florida offer recovery support services that help you maintain long-term recovery and experience success in general.

For example, at New You Sober Living, we provide:

• Transportation to doctor’s appointments
• Transportation to recovery meetings
• Assistance in finding employment
• Randomized drug testing
• Educational planning
• And more

Sober living programs provide these services to ensure that your transition into independent living goes as smoothly as possible.

Flexible Lengths of Stay

While some sober living programs have requirements on how long you can live in the home, others are highly flexible. It is always recommended to stay for longer than 90 days, however, there is no limit on how long people should live in a transitional living house.

While some individuals get the support they need and are ready to leave after 6 months, others would benefit from remaining in sober living for up to a year. Because it is impossible to predict how long you will require sober housing, you should choose a program that offers flexible lengths of stay.

Find the Best Sober Living Home in South Florida

Making the transition from inpatient rehab to independent living can be hard on your sobriety. Sober living homes in South Florida can provide you with the support and structure you need to maintain long-term recovery from addiction, no matter what life throws at you.

Our mission is to prioritize reducing the incidence and prevalence of substance abuse. We strive to improve the quality of life for those in the early stages of recovery, leading to a brighter future and ultimately being a fully productive member of society while maintaining your sobriety for the long term.

To learn more about our sober living homes in Broward County, contact New You Sober Living today.