Reasons To Consider Sober Living For Men

If you are man who recently completely a drug and alcohol program and you are looking to move on to the next phase of recovery, attending a sober living home for men may be the next step for you.

Men’s transitional housing programs provide you with a host of benefits for men in recovery.  Whether you are unfamiliar with the sober house model, or you have already lived in a sober house in the past, here are some great reasons why a sober living program for men might be good for you.

1. You can build connections with men who are in recovery

Sober living for men provides a gender-specific environment which eliminates much of the competition and distractions that men in early recovery often have.  An environment free of distractions reduces the stress which sometimes comes when returning to normal life after a rehab program, and allows you to stay focused on recovery.  This helps to prevent relapse while promoting personal growth.

Men’s sober houses serve as an environment which is safe and supportive, and helps residents confront issues like depression, abuse, anxiety and trauma, which are things that can be brought to the forefront in recovery.  Men might have a tricky time discussing these things, but men’s sober houses create an environment which is conducive to healing and sharing.  Building relationships with people in recovery also helps to build and improve levels of confidence, which is helpful in hard times, like those encountered in early recovery.  In addition to this, peer support from males in recovery can promote healing and personal growth, while at the same time boosting the maintenance of sobriety.

One study showed that involved in twelve step groups was one of the factors which influenced an individual’s experience of sober living.  Sober living clients who showed involvement in twelve step groups were far less likely to take addictive substances again in a sixth month period.

Sober living houses for men provide a supportive sober community.  Establishing relationships which can provide friendship, support and hope can help men in early recovery understand what recovery should look like.

While you are working to build a support network of peers in recovery, you might also establish a support network with your friends and loved ones.  Here are some tips that you can use:

• Educate people about the things that you need.  Friends and family often do not know what support you need in recovery.  Having conversations which are open and honest regarding the recovery process and your needs will ensure that you are all on the same page.  You might also direct loved ones to sources of information about recovery and addiction, so they are able to educate themselves on the process of recovery too.
• Be understanding.  Friends and loved ones might find it difficult for you support your recovery as a result of previous behavior.  They might worry that you will be dishonest or begin using again.  This is frustrating and disheartening, but be patient and remember that, just like you, your loved one requires time to work through their process, learning how to forgive, move forward, and support you in recovery.
• Stay connected.  Sometimes it might feel easier to disappear or ghost someone, but if loved ones send you text messages or emails or support, it is better that you respond, even though you do not feel like it or do not know what to say.  The more you connect with friends and loved ones, the better you will be.

2. Spend time in sobriety in a safe place

Recovery is a process that often requires different aspects of treatment, including rehab, detox, IOP and sober living.  After attending rehab, sober living programs serve as a vital part of the recovery process.  Transitional living enables clients to have the time needed to work through issues that they might encounter when they return home.

Unfortunately, if people return home too quick after they have been to rehab, they have a higher risk of relapsing.  The first weeks and months of sobriety is a crucial time, and sober living houses act as a buffer for the people attending them, allowing them to slowly transition back to normal life.

Sober living facilities also give residents essential recovery services such as employment assistance, planning for education and helping with voluntary programs, empowering residents to establish a sober life within recovery before they go home.

The amount of time which is required in a sober house is dependent on the person’s needs and how quickly they are able to adjust to sober life by themselves.  Residents often spend several months or ever years living at a sober house before they move out by themselves.