Some sober houses, including Vanderburgh House, will accept residents who are new to recovery provided they are willing to stay sober. However, sober house applicants should have already completed any detox program required to cure physical addiction so they are not acutely ill and unable to work while living in the house. This is an important step in recovery; addiction makes people irresponsible and the friends and families of addicts often enable them by supporting them despite these behaviors. Recovery home residents usually pay rent, buy their own food and do the same things they would do for themselves if they lived in a traditional apartment or home. However, they also have to submit to random drug testing, adhere to a curfew, and follow house rules.

Recovering addicts who have sobriety under their belt and tools to stay clean are more likely to succeed in sober living. Some homes require a minimum of fourteen or even thirty-days’ sober. Private owners usually own these homes, but charities and businesses may also own sober living houses. If you live in a recovery house, you may either have your own room or share one with a roommate. Most of the time, residents share communal spaces, like kitchens, living rooms, and backyards. Sober living homes offer a looser structure than a residential treatment program.

Recovery Housing

This allows residents to come and go as they please so they can maintain their jobs and other obligations. However, residents must adhere to all the house rules, even when they are away from the house, or they will forfeit their place in the sober living home. The duties and responsibilities of residents at sober living houses and halfway houses are very similar in nature. All house guests must do their part to keep the house clean and neat, including picking up after themselves. The sober living arrangement is so much more rewarding when all residents chip in and help each other. For one, residents in a sober living home enter the facility willingly and, in most cases, may have just concluded a substance abuse treatment program.

Recovery is your responsibility, but the sober housing community and Mentors are always “here” to provide needed guidance and support. The following rules and guidelines are in place to support your success and assure a safe environment to live in. In our comprehensive guide, we share the truth about sober living homes, including what it is like living in a sober house and how it factors into the long-term recovery process.

The Complete Guide for How to Start a Sober Living Home Successfully

Usually, sober house houses accept insurance and have much more strict requirements on behavior. Halfway houses and other treatment organizations offer clinical care. When you’re thinking of opening a sober living home, it’s always smart to double-check for any existing regulations, not only at the state level, but at the county and city level as well. If, for example, you’re considering siting your home in Phoenix, AZ, you’ll need to take the city’s “community residence” rules into consideration.

While you may want to live on your own right away, you might not be ready to manage total freedom at first. Sober living offers a balance between living in the real world and receiving some structure and monitoring. Owners need to do their due diligence to find out what is required of them from a zoning perspective.