Moving Forward: How Do I Know When It’s Time to Leave Sober Living?

Meaningful addiction recovery isn’t a final destination– it’s a lifelong process. People in recovery from addiction often require professional treatment to safely stop using drugs and alcohol and ongoing support to maintain sobriety for life.

Spending time in a sober living home can provide the community, accountability, and support people need as they navigate early sobriety and beyond. But how can you know when it’s time to leave sober living?

This article will outline the benefits of sober living and how to determine when you’re ready to leave this type of supportive housing. Reach out to the team at New You Sober Living to explore our sober living programs or to be connected to support at any stage of recovery.

The Benefits of Sober Living

Sober living homes provide transitional housing for people in recovery from drug and alcohol addiction. People living in sober living homes have the opportunity to develop new relationships that support sobriety, get support from peers and staff, and have a safe, stable place to live after transitioning out of an addiction treatment program.

There are many benefits of sober living programs. Here are some of the most significant benefits of sober living.

Community

Sober living homes provide a stable community of people working toward lifelong sobriety. People in sober living homes may spend time together during meals, meetings, and recreation time, helping to reduce isolation and loneliness during early recovery.

Life skills

Residents in a sober living home must develop and follow a routine that allows them to work, rest, manage household chores, have regular meals, and more. People in sober living homes learn how to structure their lives and develop skills that support improved health, well-being, and sobriety.

Independence

Sober living residents must follow specific house rules but enjoy a lot of freedom in managing their time. Residents may work or search for a job, attend school, attend appointments, enjoy hobbies, and spend their time in other ways they choose. This independence allows residents to practice coping skills and build self-esteem in early recovery.

How Do I Know When It’s Time to Leave Sober Living?

After living in a sober community for some time, you may begin to wonder how you’ll know when it’s time to leave. There isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer to this question. Instead, it’s important to consider your unique situation and needs.

Here are some of the things to consider when deciding when to leave sober living.

The severity of your addiction

People with severe or long-lasting addictions may need more time in treatment and sober living to experience meaningful, long-term change.

Addiction is a complex condition that is often deeply rooted in many aspects of your life, and people with severe addictions may need more time to address the behavioral, physical, and psychological aspects of their substance abuse.

Where you will live when you leave

One of the most important factors to consider before leaving sober living is where you’ll live afterward. If you have a safe, supportive, and stable home waiting for you, you may be able to leave sober living.

However, if you are unsure about where you’ll go or you will be moving into a place where people are actively using substances, you may want to stay in sober living until you can find a better option.

Your relapse history

Relapses are common in recovery but can feel like a significant setback. Relapses can also be dangerous–even life-threatening–and it’s essential to do all you can to prevent them from happening.

If you have not experienced a relapse, you may be ready to explore the idea of leaving sober living. However, if you have had one or more relapses–or you have felt close to having one–you may want to think about spending more time in sober living.

Your relapse prevention skills

One of the most crucial aspects of addiction recovery is understanding your triggers and having the skills to cope with challenges. People who understand their triggers and have practical coping skills to deal with them without relapsing may be ready to move on from sober living.

However, developing relapse prevention skills and using them consistently takes time. Before leaving sober living, honestly evaluate your coping skills and readiness. Work with your substance abuse counselor, therapist, or medical professional to gauge your readiness.

Personal responsibility

Sober living homes often have structure and rules in place that can keep people accountable and on track. These rules act as guardrails for people in early recovery, preventing them from making destructive decisions when their sobriety is fragile.

Before thinking about leaving sober living, take an honest look at your personal responsibility. Do you rely on the house rules and random drug screenings to stay sober? What would you be likely to do if you didn’t have a curfew in place or were required to attend recovery meetings?

Be honest with yourself. Think about your own level of commitment around sobriety and how you’d act differently if those regulations and guidelines suddenly didn’t exist.

Many people are eager to begin the next chapter of their lives and want to leave sober living before they’ve had enough time to practice their relapse prevention skills in “the real world.” Leaving sober living before you’re ready can set you up for setbacks, challenges, and relapse. Make sure you’re truly confident in your ability to maintain sobriety before taking this significant step.

Learn More About Sober Living

If you or someone you love could benefit from sober living, contact the New You Sober Living team to learn about our supportive housing programs. We offer high-quality, homelike sober living communities for people who need additional support during the early days of sobriety and beyond. Contact us now to learn more.