Is Co-Ed Sober Living in Fort Lauderdale Right for Me?

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), 46.3 million people struggled with a substance use disorder in 2021.[1]

Addiction is a chronic and progressive disease that takes time to recover from. While completing an inpatient rehab program is a huge accomplishment, recovery does not end there. Oftentimes, people are at their most vulnerable during the transition from treatment to independent living, making it vital that you seek additional support.

One of the best ways to receive support and ease the transition from rehab to everyday life is by attending a sober living program. These programs can provide you with the structure, accountability, and support you need to maintain long-term sobriety during an otherwise difficult time.

When it comes to sober living programs, there are two main options. You can either attend a gender-specific sober living or a co-ed program. Co-ed sober living programs are best suited to people who are comfortable living with the opposite sex, do not have trauma surrounding other genders, and find themselves thriving in friendships with both men and women.

What is Co-Ed Sober Living in Fort Lauderdale?

Co-ed sober living homes in Fort Lauderdale are transitional housing programs that provide addiction recovery support to both men and women. These programs offer the same types of support and services as gender-specific sober living houses, with the only difference being that any gender can live there.

Most co-ed sober living programs require the following:

• Staying sober from drugs and alcohol and consenting to random drug testing
• Sticking to a set curfew
• Staying respectful and supportive of your fellow housemates
• Participating in activities like house meetings, daily chores, and social events
• Never having overnight guests
• Having a job or attending school
• Attending a certain amount of recovery support groups like 12-step meetings each week
• Going to therapy sessions and continuing to partake in recovery maintenance techniques
• Refraining from entering romantic relationships with your housemates
• Paying your rent on time and contributing to buying groceries for the home

Co-ed sober living homes can provide you with a safe and substance-free environment to prepare you for independent living as someone who is early in sobriety. Typically, you can remain in a co-ed sober living as long as you need to.

What are the Benefits of Co-Ed Sober Living Programs?

Co-ed sober living homes in Fort Lauderdale can be beneficial in a variety of ways. The main goal of any sober living home is to prepare you for sobriety in the real world. Real-world situations will require you to interact with all genders, which makes co-ed sober living homes a perfect place to practice.

The main benefits of co-ed sober living programs in Fort Lauderdale include:

• Being able to interact with both men and women in a supportive environment
• Having a wider perspective of insights during house meetings
• Learning how to interact with the opposite sex in a healthy manner
• Overcoming the idea that you cannot be platonic with the opposite sex
• Breaking down harmful gender stereotypes
• Forming positive relationships with a gender that you experienced trauma from previously
• Learning about common issues that the opposite sex faces
• Gaining insight into how recovery is different and similar for the other gender

Another benefit of co-ed sober living homes that is often overlooked is inclusion for members of the LGBTQ+ community. While gender-specific sober living homes only have options for men and women, co-ed programs make it easier to feel comfortable when you identify as non-binary or gender non-conforming.

Who is Co-Ed Sober Living Designed For?

Co-ed sober living homes are best for people who want to have a real-world experience during their transition from treatment to independent living. Additionally, if you are interested in seeing perspectives about recovery and daily life from the opposite sex, co-ed sober living in Fort Lauderdale is perfect for you.

If you relate to the following, co-ed sober living may be right for you:

• You do not have a hard time resisting romantic relationships when living with other genders
• You value the perspective from other genders than your own
• You want your sober living program to be as close to the real world as possible
• You do not have significant trauma related to the opposite sex or would benefit from engaging in positive relationships
• You understand the benefits of platonic relationships with the opposite sex during recovery from addiction

Who Shouldn’t Attend Co-Ed Sober Living in Fort Lauderdale?

While co-ed sober living in Fort Lauderdale can be incredibly beneficial for a wide range of people, it’s not right for everyone. You might find more success in a gender-specific sober living program if you have significant trauma from domestic abuse or sexual assault. On the other hand, sometimes people just feel more comfortable when they are only around their specific gender.

If you relate to the following, co-ed sober living might not be right for you:

• You have significant unresolved trauma related to the opposite gender
• You feel more comfortable when you are surrounded by your gender
• You have a hard time opening up and being honest about your feelings about the opposite gender
• You find difficulty resisting romantic relationships when living with the opposite gender

Even though co-ed sober living programs offer the closest environment to real-world situations, sometimes they are just not a good fit for everyone. If you relate to the abovementioned statements, you might find more success in a women’s or men’s only sober living program.

Get Connected to a Top-Rated Co-Ed Sober Living Program in Fort Lauderdale

If you are interested in living in a transitional housing program, co-ed sober living in Fort Lauderdale might be right for you.

Under the guided and compassionate care of New You Sober Living, our clients live together as a community and family. We promote community involvement and raise awareness about the disease of addiction.

To learn more about our co-ed sober living program, contact us today.

References:

1. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS): SAMHSA Announces National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) Results Detailing Mental Illness and Substance Use Levels in 2021, Retrieved December 2023 From https://www.hhs.gov/about/news/2023/01/04/samhsa-announces-national-survey-drug-use-health-results-detailing-mental-illness-substance-use-levels-2021.html