A sober living facility is a safe place where drug and alcohol addicts comfortably get their lives back together. A sober living house works as a buffer to the outside world. It’s commonly the first stop after leaving the rehabilitation center, helping patients gradually adjust to everyday life before reentering society again. However, to ensure the treatment works, there are some regulations to help the smooth running of the facilities and ensure patients get the necessary help and leave the facilities completing their treatments successfully.
Regulations vary from house to house depending on the kind of treatments the patients get. The difference through the recovery period determines the level of success and relapsing of every patient. With differences working for the benefit of all patients, there are different kinds of rules in sober living facilities.
Drug testing
While in this facility, patients should expect to be regularly tested for drugs in their system. This testing checks on the number of drugs being abused. A simple consequence is losing some of the house privileges depending on personal circumstances. Most sober living houses usually ask them to leave immediately. However, the only exception to drugs in the facility is prescription medication such as antidepressants.
Support meetings
There are usually numerous support meetings for patients. Every patient is expected to attend and share their viewpoints on the topics given. In case of any misunderstanding in the house, they are advised to air their grievances. Besides, patients should enroll in the 12 step meeting at least once a week for therapy to gauge their progress and get advice.
Living expenses
For the sober living houses to function smoothly, patients need to pay their dues to ensure that all the programs run smoothly. The expenses usually are house, food, and treatment expenses, including therapy treatment and wages for the staff.
Household activities
Just like any home, supervisors assign duties, including house chores. The most crucial goal of house activities meetings is to ensure that patients connect and conduct themselves responsibly.
Sleeping arrangements
Most sober living homes have the rule that all patients have to live and sleep in the house at least five nights per week. The two nights off-premises have to be requested beforehand with a legitimate reason, although visiting family is usually allowed. The only exception to not sleeping in the house all five days in a week is due to travel or a medical emergency. Having too many excuses to sleep off-premises is usually a sign of evasive behavior. Patients are usually offered the option to drop off the course until they are committed.
Accountability
A sober living house aims to work as an intermediary between rehab or hospital to the outside world. Visits outside are standard to ensure patients integrate well with other members of society. However, when off-premise, all patients are expected to be accountable for their whereabouts.
House curfews
Patients have to remember house rules they need to adhere to. It includes curfews as patients must be in the house before the time allocated. Repeated lateness or sleeping out is also considered a sign of non-committing to the program, unless with a good reason like working nights.
No overnight guests
There are no guests allowed to sleep in the facility overnight under any circumstances. Guests need to be out of the house after visiting hours are over. Hiding guests in the facility overnight can lead to expulsion from the program.
Respect
Every patient should recognize that the facility runs with the help of staff and give them utmost respect. Besides, patients should remember that other patients in the facility need help and respect them regardless of how simple or complex their situation seems.
No pets
A sober living house aims to ensure you adjust to life as an individual to ensure that you are the anchor. With this clear, you cannot lean to pets as support systems, and thus no pets are allowed. However, depending on the circumstances and the living facility, some accept them.
Sober living house rules and regulations largely depend on the home. Patients should remember that sober living houses are available to prevent relapse and get back to former lives. The other objective is to ensure that patients comfortably obey the law. In this case, it’s vital to search for the environment you feel is best for you after completing a rehabilitation program. When in need and do not know which one to choose, we are here to help. Call now 614-705-0611.