One of the biggest questions for addiction patients leaving outpatient care is, “What’s next?”. Where do they go now they are out of the treatment program and expected to return to normal life? Can they do so without the risk of falling back into old patterns and turning to substances? Those who need some extra support and a more transitional approach can benefit from staying in a sober home. Sober living is effective and supportive when residents use the resources to build on recovery skills.
Sober Living And Recovery Skills
It takes a lot of strength and determination to thrive in sobriety and to develop the skills needed for a successful recovery. Those who take the brave step to sign up for a sober living home put themselves in a much stronger position. These homes are a secure place where people in recovery can bond and grow as they embrace sobriety. They will be expected to attend meetings and therapy sessions and to abide by the house rules. Still, they do so with enough freedom to enjoy a new chapter of their life and transition into regular life more easily.
Experts working with people in recovery through sober living in San Diego can help them build on those skills. The resources and environment in these safe homes can make a big difference as long as residents can play their part. Here are some of the ways sober living can aid recovery skills.
Coping Skills
One of the first steps towards recovery and long-term sober living is being able to handle potential triggers. There will be times when these triggers or increased stress play on old behavioral patterns and the desire to turn to substances. The fear here is that without support outside of a rehab facility, patients will become overwhelmed by those triggers. Ongoing mental health support can make a big difference. Patients should learn many of these tools during inpatient and outpatient treatment programs. This includes the ability to turn to breathing exercises or grounding techniques.
This is all made easier when patients have a safe space to use. If they are at a family home and the triggers are present there, such as the presence of alcohol or something a relative has said, it may be harder to retreat into a calm space and practice those techniques. A room in a safe house with access to peers and therapists is different.
Relapse Prevention
This is similar to the coping skills. In addition to understanding triggers that could lead to substance use, it’s vital patients understand the signs of relapse. Again, this is something patients will discuss with therapists before leaving a treatment facility. It’s easier to put all that theory into practice when living in a sober home with no access to substances and a supportive community advocating for each other’s recovery.
The best sober living homes in San Diego provide access to support meetings and counseling services. This means that should a resident ever feel on the verge of giving in, someone is there to talk to and help them out. These homes also conduct drug testing and insist on a drug-free environment to be sure there’s no chance of relapsing.
Communication Skills
This is something that can’t be understated when dealing with recovery from substance abuse. Too often, those dealing with alcohol or drug addiction have become isolated or detached from social groups. It could be a struggle to regain those relationships in the outside world. Yet, it’s also important to work on those skills to help mend any rifts, start from a clean slate, or even set boundaries with those that were problematic.
It can be difficult to do this when recovering in a family home if those around them return to toxic patterns or potentially enable substance use. Sober living is a new environment that allows for healthy relationships and a chance to build bonds on new terms. Over time, it may be possible to repair old relationships and return to how things were.
Support Networks
Building a support network following treatment for substance abuse can be difficult. It’s naive to assume that those suffering from addiction will be welcomed back to the family home with open arms or that the family home is a safe space for them. Patients in recovery are encouraged to work on their support network where it is beneficial to do so.
Doing so from a sober living facility may be the easiest way to encourage steady growth. Family and friends can visit or set up meetings in a neutral space, but the patient still has a level of independence and control within that sober home. On top of that, these homes offer a new support network through the peers living in the facility and the therapists conducting regular meetings.
Self Care
Finally, there’s the chance to learn self-care skills. This is another skill that will hopefully have begun to emerge during inpatient and outpatient care. The best rehab facilities will make use of all kinds of alternative therapies to help patients. This includes art, music, and animal therapy. There may also be group excursions and exercise sessions. Patients can find something within these sessions that heals them on an emotional level as well as physical.
The next step is to find a way to continue with those hobbies away from the facility. Structured activities set up by sober living teams can help. The home and communal environments may also be a safe space to nourish those interests. Furthermore, the vibrant community of San Diego is full of opportunities for personal growth.
Sober Living For An Effective Recovery
If you believe that you or someone you love could benefit from sober living, take a look at some of the facilities and the services on offer. The programs, accommodation, and support on offer can make a big difference. It could end up being a wise choice for a more structured and supportive journey to a full recovery.