What Should I Do if I Relapse While Staying in a Sober Home?

Staying in a sober home is a valuable step toward recovery from substance abuse. These supportive environments provide structure, accountability, and a substance-free atmosphere. However, relapses can happen, and it’s essential to have a plan in place for dealing with them effectively.

If you relapse while staying in a sober home, you shouldn’t panic. Relapse happens to many people, and sober living homes and rehab centers are uniquely equipped to deal with these situations.

How Common Is Drug and Alcohol Relapse?

Relapse is a part of addiction recovery for many people. Research shows between 40-60% of people who seek substance abuse treatment relapse at some point after treatment.

Relapse can be scary and disheartening. You may be afraid to let others down and you may be disappointed with yourself. However, it’s important to remember that releases happen to many people, and there are ways to get your life back on track. Unfortunately, if you relapse while staying in a sober home, this may mean having to leave your sober home to go back to detox or rehab until you are able to pass a drug test again.

Sober Living Home Rules on Abstinence

Sober living homes aim to provide a supportive, stable, and drug-and-alcohol-free living environment for people in early recovery. As a result, they enforce strict rules to promote sobriety, one of which is abstinence.

During your stay in sober living, you are required to remain abstinent. You must pass a drug test prior to entry and continue passing drug tests in order to stay. If you use drugs or alcohol, you may fail a drug test and be asked to leave or go back to rehab so you can get back on your feet.

Staying sober isn’t just about you–it’s also about your housemates. Being exposed to people who are using drugs or alcohol, especially in the space you’re living in, can be particularly triggering. It can create an unsafe environment, too. This can increase the risk of relapse for anyone in the house, so sober living homes tend to take abstinence-related rules very seriously.

Some People Try to Hide Their Relapse

Relapse can come with harsh social and emotional repercussions. On the emotional side, people often experience immense shame, guilt, and embarrassment, so they may try to hide their relapse from loved ones to avoid judgment by others. When it comes to social repercussions, people may face getting kicked out of sober living if they relapse, so many people will try to hide their relapse from their housemates and house manager.

Hiding a relapse is just like hiding addiction–it can seem easy at the time, but it can quickly spiral out of control, becoming apparent to everyone around you that you’re using drugs and alcohol again. And, the repercussions can be worse if you lie about your relapse than if you had been honest in the first place.

Admitting that you have relapsed is the first step toward getting your life back on track.

What to Do if You Relapse While Staying in a Sober Home

The first thing you should do after you relapse is tell someone you trust. Even if you’re worried about losing your housing, it’s important that you get honest about your relapse. Tell your house manager, sponsor, or addictions counselor about your relapse as soon as possible and follow their advice.

Your sober living may ask that you complete detox or go back to rehab for a short period of time until you become qualified to stay in the home again. Then, as long as your previous behavior in sober living was positive, you may be permitted to return to your sober living home or another home nearby.

Next Steps After a Relapse

After going back to detox or rehab per your sober living home’s suggestion, you should take proactive steps to avoid another relapse. These include:.

Use Your Sober Home’s Resources

Sober homes are equipped with various resources to assist residents in maintaining sobriety. Take advantage of these resources, such as counseling services, support groups, and educational programs. Engaging in therapy sessions or attending group meetings can provide valuable insights and strategies for coping with a relapse.

Reevaluate Your Relapse Prevention Plan

Relapse can serve as a wake-up call to reassess your recovery plan. Work closely with your counselor or therapist to identify any areas that may need adjustment. This may involve modifying your coping strategies, exploring new treatment options, or addressing underlying issues that may have contributed to the relapse.

Learn from Your Experience

A relapse can be an opportunity for growth and self-reflection. Take the time to understand what triggered the relapse and identify any patterns or vulnerabilities. By recognizing these factors, you can develop better strategies to prevent future relapses and strengthen your recovery journey.

Embrace the Accountability of a Sober Home

Accountability is a crucial aspect of recovery. Work with your housemates, sponsor, or support system to reinforce accountability measures. This may involve regular check-ins, drug screenings, or attending additional support meetings. Openly communicating about your relapse can help rebuild trust and strengthen your commitment to sobriety.

Stay Committed to Your Recovery Goals

Remember, relapse does not define your worth or the progress you have made. Relapse does not mean failure; it represents an opportunity for renewed dedication. Stay committed to your goals and the vision you have for your life in recovery.

Find a Sober Living Home in South Florida Today

New You Sober Living is a top-rated transitional living residence for men and women to recover safely, offering co-ed and men’s Oakland Park, FL sober living homes. We make living in a halfway house successfully by gently incorporating a set of rules, a supervised structure, and the sober support needed to sustain your sobriety for the long term.

Recovery is a beautiful gift that we have dedicated our lives to help you achieve. Under our guided care, your experience is personalized to fit your unique needs and requirements. If you’re in need of a safe place to stay, don’t delay, and contact New You Sober Living today!