Pros & Cons of Sober Living in Los Angeles
Sober living homes provide supportive housing for those in addiction recovery. Read on to learn more about sober living Los Angeles homes.
Introduction
What is a Sober Living Home?
A sober living home is designed to help those in recovery from drugs and alcohol, maintain sobriety. Residents in a sober living commit to abstaining from using drugs and alcohol. Sober living Los Angeles homes help individuals maintain their sobriety by providing rules and regulations that everyone is expected to follow. These include:2
- Maintaining sobriety
- Attending 12-step or other peer support groups
- Securing and maintaining employment
- Participating in household activities like weekly meetings and daily chores
- Adhering to curfew and paying rent on time
Peers who are also in recovery and can provide a supportive environment throughout the process.
Types of Addiction Treatment in Los Angeles
There are several types of treatment for those seeking addiction treatment. If you are searching for “sober living Los Angeles” you may find that many of these homes require you to be sober before entering. It can be challenging to detox at home or cold turkey. There are many treatment options in Los Angeles. Treatment settings that may help you get sober include:
Detox
In detox, you refrain from using substances to allow them to leave your body. The length of detox depends on the substance, length of use, and amount of use. The average time for a detox can be between 3 to 7 days.
Detox can be done by way of inpatient or outpatient. Completing an inpatient detox is typically safer and more preferred. These settings offer 24/7 medical support and the use of medication to help reduce withdrawal symptoms.3
Inpatient or Residential
Inpatient or residential programs, often called rehabs, are live-in facilities providing treatment and support. These programs can last 30 to 90 days, with some lasting one year. Residential programs offer:
- Individual, group, and/or family therapy
- Self-help support groups
- Medication management
- Education and training on coping and life skills
- Case management services
Many people seeking sober living Los Angeles housing are referred by detox and residential programs to help continue and maintain sobriety.
Outpatient Treatment Program
Outpatient treatment programs provide similar therapy and skills services as inpatient programs. But outpatient programs are less structured and are not as intense. These programs require 1 to 3 hours of attendance from 1 to 5 days a week. Individuals then return to their living situation after the day’s program ends. People can live in a sober living home and attend an outpatient program.
The Pros of Sober Living in Los Angeles
Recovery can be a lifelong journey and requires continued commitment. A critical time in recovery is leaving a structured treatment environment and working towards re-entering independent life. This is where sober living Los Angeles homes can help. Research has shown that sober living can:4
- Decrease relapse rates and increase long-term sobriety.
- Decrease arrest rates.
- Lower psychiatric severity
These are the most significant benefits of residing in a sober living facility. There are also additional benefits, including:5
Providing Constant Guidance and Support
Sober living in Los Angeles provides an excellent opportunity for individuals to be surrounded by those facing the same challenges. There are people in various stages of recovery who can provide support and guidance to each other.
Reducing the Risk of Relapse
Providing a safe and substance-free environment can help reduce the relapse risk. Sober living Los Angeles homes also provide accountability for those in recovery to remain clean and sober.
The Opportunity to Build Meaningful, Sober Relationships
Recovery sometimes means letting go of past relationships and learning to build new, healthy ones. Sober living homes place you in constant contact with others working on their recovery.
Practice Learned Life Skills
Practicing healthy skills and habits can be difficult when in an unsafe environment. Sober living homes help residents develop healthier and more balanced lifestyles.
Easier Transition Into Mainstream Life
Sober living Los Angeles homes can help bridge the gap between treatment programs and returning to mainstream life. These houses provide a safe place for individuals to return to normalcy while working towards reintegrating into “regular life.”
Providing a Sense of Responsibility and Independence
Sober living housing in Los Angeles gives those in recovery a sense of independence and responsibility. They are no longer in a structured treatment environment or an unstructured, totally independent life.
Residents of sober living homes must be responsible for chores, maintaining employment, and paying rent on time. This helps to gain the skills to work on transitioning into independent life.
The Cons of Sober Living in Los Angeles
The pros and cons of sober living can be dependent on the individual. It can be determined by a person’s readiness to change and how to use available resources. Some of the disadvantages of sober living Los Angeles homes could be:
Not Regulated or Licensed
Sober living homes often need to be licensed or regulated. They are freestanding programs with no connection to having oversight or regulation. This means that there is the possibility for unethical, unhygienic practices. It is important to research while searching for “sober living Los Angeles.”
Peer Run
Since the homes are unregulated and run by peers, the cost could be a downside for people entering sober living. Sober living homes may be able to evict residents with little to no notice.
Unpredictable Environment
Many sober living Los Angeles locations can have unpredictable environments. This means there could be a constant rotation of people with different priorities. Some people may be court mandated to enter sober living and may not be as committed to maintaining sobriety. Some houses have many people residing in one room, which can result in a conflict between various personalities.
Considerations
Despite the challenges of sober living Los Angeles housing, there seem to be more benefits. The availability of these homes can help reduce the dangers and risk factors associated with addiction in Los Angeles.
How Can Essence Healthcare Help?
At Essence Healthcare, we provide a variety of addiction and mental health treatments, including sober living Los Angeles housing. Our fully licensed facilities help those looking to recover from substance abuse and mental health challenges.
Our programs cover all levels of care, no matter where you are in your recovery journey. We will meet you where you are in recovery and provide a personalized treatment plan to fit your unique needs and circumstances.
Essence Healthcare Guidance and Resources
If you or a loved one are searching for “sober living Los Angeles,” let Essence Healthcare help you. Our sober living facility can help you reintegrate into mainstream society and provide you with post-sober living resources like:
- Individual therapy
- Group therapy
- Housing resources
- Resources for self-help or 12-step programs
- Building skills for a healthy lifestyle
Reach Out Today and Begin Sustainable Recovery
For more information about sober living or our treatment programs, contact us today at 818.491.7288 or contact us via our website.
Resources
- https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-a-sober-living-house-5496284
- https://www.hazeldenbettyford.org/articles/what-is-sober-living
- https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/addiction/addiction-detox-what-to-know
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3057870/
- https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/addiction/tips-stay-sober#1
- https://insight.livestories.com/s/v2/overdose-deaths-opioid-abuse-in-la-county/1dad2eb7-0134-4a55-9a3b-5a41720d8af9
- https://www.chcf.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/MentalHealthCalifornia2018.pdf
- https://nida.nih.gov/publications/drugs-brains-behavior-science-addiction/addiction-health
