For many women in rehabilitation (rehab) or in recovery, a significant obstacle is a stable, trigger-free, and sober living environment. It is a crucial question you are going to ask yourself – where are you going to stay? You know, during that sensitive period after your inpatient rehab, when you are not yet ready to live independently. Or even during outpatient rehab, as this option does not involve a hospital stay. 

So, what is the answer to this? What if we told you there was one?

It is called a sober living home. It can be fair to say that you might not have heard of it before. It is not something we encounter in our day-to-day lives. So, in this article, we will learn about sober living homes and how women, specifically, can choose sober living homes that are right for them. 

Understanding Sober Living Homes

Substance use disorders (SUDs), or something we also call addiction, is a severe condition. It disturbs and injures almost every area of life. So, when you decide to recover and get sober, it is a very brave one. The road to recovery can be long and bumpy, and you need a sober living environment to strengthen your recovery. Stable housing may become difficult for you to find, given past triggers, financial troubles, or even legal entanglements.

Enter sober living homes or sober living apartments. These are homes that provide you with a clean, structured, and healthy environment during your recovery. There are four levels of sober living homes:

  • Level 1 – The sober living home is run by residents. 
  • Level 2 – The sober living home is monitored by at least one paid staff member.
  • Level 3 – The sober living home is supervised by licensed and certified staff members.
  • Level 4 – The sober living home consists of clinical and administrative supervision, which is provided by credentialed staff members. 

Depending on your needs and goals during your time of rehab or recovery, you can opt for one of these levels that is the right one for you. In these homes, you can find solace and independence while also learning to acquire resources for your lasting recovery and sobriety. 

Factors to Consider When Choosing a Sober Living Home

Unfortunately, today’s world can still be a very unsafe place for women, as they are more victimized than men. When considering choosing a sober living home, there are many factors you may have to consider as a woman. So, we will give you some of the green flags and red flags you need to look out for.

Starting with the green flags:

  • The sober living home is in a safe neighborhood. 
  • It has qualified and certified staff members who are invested in running the sober living home.
  • It is structured and uses evidence-based recovery programs like 12-step recovery meetings, one-on-one mentoring, group therapy, and life skills training.
  • It has smoothly run care coordination services.
  • It provides you with an environment where you can relax and focus on your recovery.
  • It is a single-sex one. Now, this is an option that you can choose if you think establishing your recovery becomes easier without the distractions of the opposite gender.

Coming to the red flags you need to watch out for:

  • The sober living home is located in an unsafe neighborhood.
  • It does not have safety or privacy provisions.
  • It does not require its staff to be qualified or certified.
  • It does not follow any admission requirements or maintain any records.
  • It does not require regular alcohol or drug screenings.
  • It is not structured in that it does not follow a daily routine, rules, or curfew.
  • It does not provide care coordination services or other evidence-based programs to aid you in your recovery.
  • It claims to be free or is even willing to pay you, as this may be a kind of scam you need to be wary of. 

Verify the Legitimacy of a Sober Living Home

When you have finally found a sober living home that ticks all your checkboxes, you will have to do one final thing. Verify its legitimacy. For this, you can:

Contact your state’s Department of Health to ensure the sober living home is registered and meets the ethical standards. Depending on your state, sober living homes may even require specific licenses. 

  • Ensure the sober living home: 
  • Provides a clean, substance-free environment.
  • Requires sobriety from all residents. 
  • Follows 12-step recovery meetings.
  • There are routines, rules, and curfews to adhere to.

Check whether the staff and house managers are qualified and licensed. Look up their background and see whether they align with your principles.

Ensure that the sober living home provides a safe environment for you: 

  • Supervision.
  • High staff-to-resident ratio.
  • Regular alcohol and drug testing.
  • Emergency care.

Final Reflections

A sober living home is a good option to have when you have chosen recovery and a sober tomorrow. Yes, there are many factors you need to consider while choosing a sober living home that is right for you. Even more so as a woman, perhaps. Nevertheless, when you have found the right one, you can relax and focus solely on your recovery, as sober living homes or apartments increase your chances of sobriety and reduce the potential for relapse. Embracing the benefits of living sober, such as improved mental clarity, better relationships, and a healthier lifestyle, makes this transition even more rewarding.