At The Kimberly Center, we offer a sober living environment for our clients. This resource is for those who have completed the initial stages of treatment but are not yet prepared or confident enough to return to their normal lives. A sober living environment helps clients through the transition of going from treatment to living on their own.

Like any other sober living environment, in sober living at The Kimberly Center, you will have certain household responsibilities that are expected of you. In order to keep things running smoothly, it is important that everyone respects the rules and regulations of a sober living facility. It is also important that everyone keeps up with their different household responsibilities. Failure to do so may jeopardize your ability to continue staying at the sober living facility.

What Household Responsibilities Should I Expect In Sober Living?

The most important household responsibility that you should honor is respect. This includes not only respect for the living space itself but for the other residents and those who run the facility. The same respect you would have for your family members or roommates back home should be shown to those you live with at the sober living facility. This includes keeping the living space tidy by cleaning up after yourself and not causing any damage to the property.

Standard household responsibilities you should expect include washing your own dishes, taking out the trash, and cleaning up after yourself when you prepare a meal. You and those you share your living space with may decide to divide up or delegate certain tasks. For example, maybe you each take certain days of the week to prepare dinner. Or if someone enjoys cooking, they can take that task while the others handle the cleanup.

The living space should be kept as reasonably clean as possible on a regular basis. This includes sweeping floors, wiping off surfaces, cleaning the bathroom, and vacuuming regularly. Getting these things taken care of will help to ensure the living environment is comfortable, organized, and pleasant for everyone. Everyone is responsible for keeping their own personal belongings organized.

What Other Rules and Household Responsibilities Should I Expect In Sober Living?

The specific rules and household responsibilities expected in sober living will vary from facility to facility. But there are some standard regulations that are pretty common. Obviously, there are no drugs or alcohol permitted inside. Some facilities may do drug testing or searches to ensure that this rule is being abided by.

Most places do not allow pets, but there may be exceptions for service animals. Many facilities have a curfew that residents are expected to follow. Some facilities allow guests during the day, but overnight guests are rarely permitted. Guests must follow the rules and regulations of the facility just as the residents do.

Residents must attend any important meetings at the facility and also attend 12-Step support group meetings or therapy sessions. Clients must show through their behavior that they want to be sober and want to continue to better themselves. This includes following their treatment plan.

Is a Sober Living Facility Right for Me?

A sober living facility is a great option for someone who has completed an inpatient or outpatient treatment program but does not yet feel ready to begin living on their own. This could be a result of many different factors.

For example, they may not feel fully confident in their sobriety. Or they may not have a safe and stable home to return to. They may have roommates that will threaten their recovery by bringing drugs or alcohol into the home. It’s also possible that they are not yet at a place where they are financially stable or independent.

One of the worst things that you can do to someone who has just gone through substance misuse treatment is to force them out before they are fully ready. They need to feel fully confident in their ability to live a sober life. A sober living facility allows time for continued healing. It also allows a person to get an idea of what their new life is going to look like.

There are virtually no drawbacks to trying out a sober living facility after treatment. You will be surrounded by those who have the same goal that you do: to live a sober life and become the best version of yourself possible. You will be able to continue to learn and develop new skills that will assist you in your new sober life.

If you’re still not sure whether or not a sober living facility is the right situation for you, don’t be afraid to ask questions. Speak with your treatment provider and they can help give you an even better idea of what to expect.

It can be scary to think about going back to your everyday life after receiving treatment for addiction. Treatment facilities are like safe havens. You have support around you 24/7, whether it be from the staff or your peers. There is nobody encouraging you to break your sobriety. Drugs and alcohol are not present, so you don’t have to worry about temptation. It is normal to wonder if you’re fully prepared for all that the outside world has to throw at you. This is why sober living facilities can really help with this transition. If you are struggling with substance misuse, we want to support you. Call (855) 452-3683 today to learn more.