Sober living homes serve as a link between a treatment program and the real world. Upon completing a treatment program and returning home, many patients find themselves struggling to adjust to their daily routines. Sober living in Palm Springs, CA offers additional structure and support which allows patients to maintain their recovery and prevent relapse by reinforcing the lessons they learned in rehab. Sober living can also be a great way for individuals to transition from our residential treatment, back into everyday life while being able to take advantage of our outpatient programs.
What is a Sober Living Program?
A sober living program is an off-site housing complex where people attending outpatient treatment or those who need additional support following treatment can live. Sober living provides individuals with structure in a temptation-free environment. There are specific and essential rules a person must adhere to while staying in this program, including staying sober at all times.
Additionally, sober living creates a recovery community. Having a support system of people who have undergone comparable struggles is tremendously helpful during the recovery process. Typically, patients reside at a sober living home for 90 days, but support can be provided for as long as required.
What is Sober Living in Palm Springs, California Like?
An important component of sober living is recognizing the fun in sober activities as well as exploring the surrounding area with sober companions. Individuals in sober living programs often go on group outings or one-on-one adventures with their new friends.
In Palm Springs, California, there are plenty of sober living activities that will renew your zest for life by showing you how much more enjoyable activities are when your mind is clear and your body is healthy. These activities include:
- Palm Springs Aerial Tramway. From gondola rides to Coachella Valley views, this experience is one you will remember for a lifetime.
- Palm Springs Art Museum. Love all things art? This collection of primarily desert-themed work is a must-see.
- Tahquitz Canyon. Check out this unique waterfall for some summertime fun, just don’t forget the sunblock.
- Living Desert Zoo & Gardens. Enjoy a day of animal-filled fun at this outdoor zoo.
- Palm Springs Air Museum. If you love history, this aircraft museum is right up your alley. With more than 40 planes to look at, you and your sober friends will have a very memorable afternoon.
In addition to these attractions, Palm Springs is home to delicious restaurants, fun shopping, and plenty of beautiful desert terrain.
How do Sober Living Homes Work?
Sober living in Palm Springs, California serves as a continuation of a patient’s recovery. These homes are an alternative to attending immersive care or returning to a disorganized atmosphere at home. Sober living replicates everyday situations while introducing healthy habits and reducing a patient’s risk of relapse.
Sober living homes encourage residents to do various tasks that will help lead them throughout the recovery process. These include:
- Making amends with family and friends who have been affected by the patient’s substance abuse
- Obtaining employment
- Establishing residence following treatment
- Learning essential life skills
Patients will also follow a meticulously composed aftercare plan that includes relapse prevention. This allows the patient to identify triggers that may entice them to use once they are living in the real world again. Emergency contact options are also provided in case of high urges or stressful situations.
Sober Living Home Requirements
Sober living homes are a core component of many addiction treatment programs. The quality of these homes and their relationship with a treatment center are vital parts of the recovery process. Every sober living home will have distinctive guidelines for each resident, but most will have these standard requirements:
- No alcohol, drugs, violence, or overnight guests
- Random alcohol and drug tests
- On-time rent payments
- Ongoing participation in recovery meetings
- General acceptance from peers at the sober living homes
- Involvement in either school, work, or an outpatient treatment program
Do I Need Sober Living in Palm Springs, CA?
If you are transitioning from a residential program back into “the real world” and feel you need additional support, then sober living is most likely right for you. This allows those in a partial hospitalization program (PHP), intensive outpatient program (IOP), or standard outpatient program (OP) to stay in a sober living home while they are in treatment. Those who have recently relapsed or have had previously unsuccessful attempts at recovery can also live in sober living homes.
Difference Between a Sober Living and a Halfway House
Sober living homes and halfway houses are pretty similar. They both produce a substance-free living environment for individuals struggling with addiction, but they also vary in numerous ways.
Treatment centers originally created halfway houses to present patients with a sober home after completing inpatient treatment or while attending outpatient treatment. The focus was on isolating the user from their former toxic environment so they could recover in a supportive, sober atmosphere.
Halfway houses have enhanced treatment results for many patients. That being said, halfway houses have a few drawbacks that sober living homes do not.
Term Limit of a Halfway House
Halfway houses typically have a limit on how long somebody can reside at the residence. Tenants are usually obligated to depart after a determined length of time, regardless of whether they are ready.
Must Have Completed A Treatment Program
Halfway houses also demand all tenants have recently completed a treatment program or are currently attending one. This can be troubling for some addicts who have had prior unsuccessful rehab experiences, require an alternative to conventional treatment, or have relapsed after years in recovery.
Financed by The Government or Rehab Centers
Finally, some halfway houses are financed by rehab centers and the government, which suggests it’s possible their funding could be halted. At this point, tenants may have nowhere to go or be forced to reside in a more dangerous environment.
Unlike halfway houses, sober living homes provide residents a home for as long as they’d desire, provided they obey all home rules. Sober living homes also don’t require that residents have already attended previous addiction treatment rehab before moving in. That being said, some sober living homes will require residents to participate in 12-step meetings while staying there. Lastly, there are no funding interruptions because tenants pay rent while residing there.
What to Expect at Sober Living Homes
Residents of a sober living usually have group outings and activities off campus in a structured interdependent living environment. This allows patients in recovery to feel like they’re shifting back into a healthy lifestyle while they transition back to their daily duties and responsibilities. Although sober living homes have fewer restrictions than inpatient treatment facilities, there are still rules that residents must abide by. There are numerous advantages to residing in a sober living program, which includes creating structure, responsibility, formulating a sober fellowship, and attending 12-step programs.
Begin Sober Living in Palm Springs, CA
Phoenix Rising Recovery gives you the time you need to recover, so you can start living a successful life of sobriety. Our patient and welcoming staff is trained to help each individual long after their initial treatment plan has concluded. For more information about sober living programs or about our own addiction treatment programs, call us or visit our contact form. Our team is ready to get you started on the road to recovery today.