If you struggle with drug and alcohol abuse, you are not alone. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), 48.5 million people suffered from addiction in 2023.[1]

While completing an addiction treatment program is a huge accomplishment, it does not mean your recovery journey is over. Sometimes, the transition from a treatment facility to independent living is the hardest phase of the recovery process. You’ll have to face new triggers and cravings without the support of addiction and mental health professionals.

Thankfully, sober living homes offer a supportive environment for you to learn how to maintain your sobriety on your own. During a sober living program, you’ll receive access to supportive services like vocational assistance, encouragement to attend support groups, and peer support from other sober living residents.

That said, sober living might not be right for everyone. While it can be a huge benefit to long-term recovery, you should weigh the pros and cons of sober living vs living on your own. For example, sober living houses offer more support but lessen your independence, while living on your own increases your risk of relapse but provides you with more personal space.

In this article, you will learn:

• What is a sober living home?
• Is sober living better than living alone?
• What are the pros and cons of sober living vs. living independently?

What is Sober Living?

Sober living or halfway houses are a type of transitional housing designed to support you while you learn how to be independent in sobriety. They offer a drug and alcohol-free environment where you can make connections with other people in recovery. Sober living homes often have rules to keep the environment supportive and ensure your safety, like nightly curfews, randomized drug testing, and required attendance of regular house meetings.

When you live in a sober home, you’ll also be expected to attend a certain number of support groups each week. You can choose to participate in a 12-step program like Alcoholics Anonymous or an alternative like SMART Recovery.

You’ll also receive support in building important life skills, like vocational assistance or learning how to use public transportation. Your length of stay at a sober living home will depend on your needs and goals. That said, most people spend 6 months to a year in sober living programs.

Sober Living vs. Living Alone in Recovery

Your living situation in early recovery can matter a lot, sometimes being the difference between maintaining sobriety and relapsing. For example, if you try to live in a home with someone who regularly uses alcohol or drugs, you might be more tempted to return to your old behaviors. That said, it is possible to maintain sobriety living alone if you are in a supportive environment.

Before you decide on whether you want to live in sober living or by yourself, you should weigh the pros and cons.

Pros and Cons of Sober Living

The pros of choosing a sober living home include:

• Structure and Support- Sober living homes create a structured environment by having a set of rules to follow, requiring you to complete chores and ensuring you attend sober support meetings. You’ll also have a house manager on-site with years of sobriety under their belt to provide you with helpful advice and emotional support.
• Substance-Free Environment- These homes prohibit drugs and alcohol on the premises, lessening your risk of being triggered to relapse. Additionally, you’ll have to complete regular drug tests, keeping you accountable for your sobriety.
• Peer Support- You’ll receive support from your roommates, allowing you to create lasting connections with people who understand what you’re going through. Easier Transition to Independence- If you are fresh out of inpatient treatment, jumping right into independence could lead to a relapse. Sober living homes ease this transition by slowly giving you more freedom over time.

The cons of living in a sober home include:

• Less Privacy- It’s common to share a bedroom with another person when you are in a sober home, which can lead to less privacy.
• Potential for Negative Influence- Even though peer support is a benefit, you could be exposed to people who are not ready to recover. You might watch some of your roommates relapse, which could trigger you.
• Financial Strain- While sober homes try to be fair in their rent prices, sometimes they can become expensive.

Benefits and Drawbacks of Living Alone

The benefits of living alone include:

• Autonomy and Independence- Living alone will provide you with more freedom and independence to do and live how you want. You’ll be able to make your own decisions and live on your terms.
• Personal Space- You won’t be forced to share a bedroom with another person, which provides you with more personal space to unwind in.
• Ability to Be With Family- If you don’t attend sober living, you could choose to live with your family. This could be highly beneficial if they are supportive and involved in your recovery.
• More Options- When you attend sober living, you have limited options when it comes to the price of rent. Living alone gives you the ability to look at several different price ranges before you choose your spot.

The drawbacks of living alone include:

• Lack of Support- Living alone can be isolating and lessen the level of support you have. This can put you at a higher risk of returning to drug and alcohol use.
• Increased Risk of Relapse- You are more likely to make bad decisions when you aren’t receiving the support and accountability offered in sober living programs. As a result, living alone puts you at an increased risk of relapsing.
• Loneliness- Living alone can lead to feelings of loneliness and isolation, which can be a major trigger for relapse. That said, you can avoid this risk by choosing to live with family or trusted friends.
• Lower Motivation- Because you are not being encouraged by a house manager to attend support meetings, therapy sessions or engage in other types of sobriety maintenance techniques, you might have lower motivation in your recovery.

Get Connected to a Top-Rated Sober Living Program

If you are in recovery from addiction, sober living might be a good fit for you. At New You Sober Living, we support our clients on their path to recovery by offering encouragement, life skills assistance, and peer support.

Contact us today to learn more about the benefits of living in a sober home.

References:

1. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA): Highlights for the 2023 National Survey on Drug Use and Health