Not having a stable, drug and alcohol-free living environment can be a major stumbling block to achieving long-term recovery. An adverse living situation can thwart recovery even for the most motivated people. Sober living houses (SLHs) are often the answer for people trying to abstain from using drugs and alcohol
Many studies have examined the effectiveness of sober living homes in Portland. Research suggests that they are a good option for people in need of substance-free housing–a place that is conducive to maintaining recovery. Crestview’s sober community in Portland bridges the critical gap between structured primary treatment programs and “the real world.”
What is a Sober Living Community?
Sober-living communities are also called sober-living residences, halfway houses, or transitional housing.
The National Alliance for Recovery Residences (NARR) has unified the industry and progressed to become more professional. These terms all come under the heading of “recovery residence.” This term includes the full range of recovery housing, services, and programs offered in the residences.
As defined by NARR, a recovery residence is a “sober, safe, and healthy living environment that promotes recovery” from drug and alcohol use and other related problems. Therefore, a good recovery residence can provide a community-based environment to help begin and maintain recovery. Additionally, it can help improve an individual’s physical, mental, spiritual, and social well-being. Through NARR, these sober-living communities are now classified under different levels.
Level 1 houses are peer-run houses (commonly called sober homes) that provide supportive housing in a community-based peer environment. They function democratically, usually without paid staff positions but there is oversight by an operator who assists in house issues that can’t be solved among the residents.
Services typically include:
- Drug screenings
- House meetings
- Shared living in a single-family residence
Level 1 facilities are best for the person who has physically and psychologically stabilized from substance use for a period of time. They benefit from the sober environment that helps them carry out their recovery in a safe community. Generally, this is a person who has established living skills, can self-regulate, and is committed to their recovery.
These also feature a community-based environment but are supervised by a house manager, senior resident, or staff member. This person monitors operations and residents and enforces house rules or standards. Still, there is an emphasis on community and accountability that signifies a culture of peer support. Level 2 is appropriate for the person with some inherent motivation and would benefit from a limited level of structure and support.
This is a supervised recovery residence. Level 3 homes are notable for their practical approach. They offer an increased level of structure and supervision and frequently provide some type of clinical element such as outpatient or aftercare services from a rehab program provider. This level is good for a person who needs a higher level of support and structure.
The level 4 residence provides peer-based services, life skills, and clinical programs. Most of the time it is affiliated with a licensed treatment provider and supervised by a qualified management team. Licensed staff provides in-house program services. Typically, a level 4 residence is part of the continuum of care for an overseeing rehab institution. The goal is to prepare the person for the next phase of their recovery, whether that is another residence or independent living.
Why is Sober Living Important?
Although getting sober might require detox and a rehab program, living sober requires care and constant commitment. Recovery is a lifetime quest. For a lot of people, going home after treatment will jeopardize their ability to live sober. If their home life is filled with pressures and stresses, such as troubling relationships and old triggers to use, it can substantially increase their risk of relapse.
6 Benefits of Sober Living
You are surrounded by people who support your recovery and will hold you accountable daily. If there is a house manager, they can help with issues that may throw you off track like cravings, emotions, and problems finding a job.
In sober living, you meet and live alongside other people in recovery. They understand cravings, feeling depressed, and disappointing others. They share your desire to change. This helps reduce loneliness which is a part of the addiction cycle. After a while, these people will feel like family, especially if addiction has cut you off from family and friends.
When a person has an addiction, a lot of important things go out the window. This includes:
- healthy eating,
- regular exercise,
- personal hygiene, and
- house cleaning.
Sober living helps put structure back into your life. You will restore important life skills from finding a job to doing laundry.
Newfound independence is one of the greatest benefits. With your recovery well underway, you can start to take your life back into your own hands. You can make new friends and build meaningful relationships that support your recovery.
A recovery residence eases the transition back into everyday life. The commitment to recovery doesn’t end after rehab–it is ongoing. Sober living bridges the gap between treatment and mainstream life while providing a safe and sober place to return to each night.
Having a safe and supportive place to heal, away from outside triggers, is the biggest benefit. You can focus on yourself without temptation from outside relapse triggers.
How to Make Sober Friends
When you’re recovering from drugs or alcohol, spending time with sober people is primary for your recovery and emotional well-being. Having sober friends can help you enjoy non-substance-related pastimes. However, finding sober friends can be challenging. Here are a few tips:
Support groups are a great way to meet sober people. Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) has over 2 million members who meet in more than 18,000 groups worldwide. You can find AA meetings in Portland and connect with others on the road to recovery. Other groups include:
- SMART Recovery
- Women for Sobriety
- Secular Organizations for Sobriety (SOS)
There are many benefits of exercising. Making it a more social part of your life can also make it more enjoyable.
Social media is an asset for people who want to connect with like-minded sober people. Many people find it easier to interact with people online before meeting in real life.
Volunteering is a great way to give back to your community and lift your mood. Volunteering is associated with better relationships and lower rates of depression, which reduce the risk of relapse. Volunteering is also an important part of completing a 12 step program in Portland.
Many cities sponsor alcohol-free events. If you can’t find one in your area, host your own.
There are companies dedicated to helping sober people enjoy vacations without substances. Choose Life Sober Adventures and Sober Vacations International host sober trips in locations around the world.
Try out an activity that you’ve been curious about. As long as the main motive is to enjoy something other than drinking, you may be able to build relationships based on a shared interest.
What is a Sober Companion?
A sober companion helps simplify your recovery journey. Approximately one in 11 workers in America has struggled with a substance use disorder (SUD) in the previous year. More and more, corporate professionals are hiring sober companions who can offer discreet, and sometimes, round-the-clock support. The aim is to provide confidential support and build psychological safety for people who don’t want to reveal that they’re in recovery.
The main job of a sober companion is to be there for their client, helping them adjust to life after completing a treatment program. They guide them through the recovery process and help prevent relapse. Sober companions sometimes assist with finding therapists or doctors. How much time they spend with their client depends on the severity of the addiction. Some might live with the client, and others might provide support when the client is attending an event or traveling.
Should You Move into a Sober House?
If you don’t have a stable, alcohol and drug-free living environment, it’s a serious obstacle to maintaining abstinence. Destructive living environments can wreck recovery even if you’re a highly motivated person. A critical element of a person’s social network is their living environment. The realization of the importance of the living environment led to an increase in residential and inpatient treatment programs in the 1960s and 70s.
For many reasons, some people don’t want to be involved in a formal treatment program. Some may have had a negative experience in treatment and are looking for an alternative path to recovery. Still others, might have relapsed after treatment and feel a need for a higher level of support for abstinence but avoid the commitment involved in going back to a formal treatment program.
Depending on the rehab, some people are able to live in a sober living home while attending formal treatment sessions at a treatment facility. Others just don’t feel confident enough in their sobriety to go back to mainstream life and realize that they need further peer support. If any of these reasons apply to you, there is a sober living community in Portland, OR.
How Crestview Can Help Maintain Sobriety
Crestview Recovery can help you maintain your sobriety. We know how hard it can be. That’s why we provide you with aftercare planning. After completing a formal program, you still need to maintain your sobriety and work on your recovery every day. We will help you set up any doctor or therapy appointments you may need or help you into a sober living residence.
If you’re still struggling with substance use disorder, Crestview Recovery can you with comprehensive treatment from residential treatment programs in Portland or an outpatient program for addiction may be better suited. Our licensed, professional therapists are experienced in the treatment of numerous psychiatric issues which frequently go hand-in-hand with substance use problems.
The point is that you don’t have to struggle. We are here to help and we will do it on your terms. But you can’t do it alone. Contact our team today.
Since 2016, Dr. Merle Williamson, a graduate of Oregon Health Sciences University, has been the Medical Director at Crestview Recovery, bringing a rich background in addiction medicine from his time at Hazelden Treatment Center. He oversees outpatient drug and alcohol treatments, providing medical care, setting policies, detox protocols, and quality assurance measures. Before specializing in addiction medicine, he spent 25 years in anesthesiology, serving as Chair of Hospital Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee and Chief of Anesthesia at Kaiser Permanente. This experience gives him a unique perspective on treating prescription drug addiction.
