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Clear Path to Sober Living & Recovery

Relapse is one of the major challenges people face while recovering from substance use disorder. They need to overcome triggers and cravings almost daily. Medical detox and inpatient treatment are effective, but they are part of the recovery system. You will need outpatient services and programs to help you gain full recovery.  Moving directly from the inpatient routine to your normal routine is a huge challenge, and many individuals will relapse. 

Sober Living

You will need to understand a sober living house and how it works to be able to comprehend sober living itself. A sober living house/home is a facility that acts as a bridge inpatient treatment and normal life. Thus, sober living is a transitioning phase and place that individuals use to adjust to normal life.  Most sober living facilities are not run by licensed medical professionals like doctors or therapists. It makes it a simple but highly useful and effective form of treatment.  Some sober living facilities are operated by medical professionals, which makes it an added advantage. Most individuals in recovery need the help of sober living. closeup photo of smiling woman,co ed sober living near me, coed sober living near me, sober living housing near me

Rehab Vs. Sober Living

Rehab or inpatient treatment is quite different from a sober living house in terms of structure. Some of the major differences between rehabs and sober living homes include:
  • Cost: Rehab centers are more costly.
  • Rules: Rehab facilities have more rules than sober living homes. For example, one cannot leave a rehab facility during treatment, but a sober living house allows such movements.
  • Duration: Rehab centers limit the patients’ stay to 30-day or 90-day periods. 
  • Professionals: You will surely find professionals in mental health, medication, and addiction. 

Sober Living Houses Vs. Halfway Houses

People also often confuse sober living houses and halfway houses. Halfway houses are intended to help rehabilitate people who have committed crimes. The differences between the two include:
  • Operator. Halfway houses are funded by the government. Sober living homes are operated by individuals or organizations. 
  • Physical structure: sober living houses are private residences while halfway houses resemble dorms. 
  • Attendance: People go to sober living houses willingly while the court orders force individuals to go to halfway houses. 
  • Cost: Halfway houses are funded by the government, which makes them cheaper. However, they have fewer amenities than sober living houses. 

What To Expect In A Sober Living Home

You should expect a combination of support, structure, and freedom in sober living homes. In structure, there are some rules you need to adhere to. Some of these rules include curfew rules and compulsory group meetings. The regulations of sober living houses vary with the sober living institution.    Sober living houses also offer freedom. You will use this freedom to ease back into your normal duties. They also offer support, which is very important. Some individuals go into isolation after rehab, and this easily triggers relapse.  You will get to interact with other members of the sober homes, and in 12-step support meetings like Narcotics Anonymous. You will make new friends and also mend your relationships with your family. 

How Long Should I Stay In Sober Living?

Your needs will influence the time you spend in sober living. These needs can be summarized into factors like:
  • Your recovery stability. To be stable, you will need to appropriately manage your cravings, coping skills, and co-occurring disorders. You will need cognitive skills from cognitive therapy to achieve this. 
  • Your level of comfort. How comfortable are you with resuming back to your normal life?
  • Your safety at home. Is your home a fully safe environment? Are you prone to triggers, cravings, and eventually relapse?

How To Recover While In Sober Living

Apart from the support, structure, and freedom in sober living, you can use other approaches to ensure a full recovery. They include:
  • Stay busy. 
  • Get housing after sober living
  • Find a job
  • Make amends with friends and family. 
  • Carry the sober living principles back to your normal life. 

Sober Living and Addiction treatment at Riviera Recovery. 

You can access sober living in Los Angeles at Riviera Recovery Sober Living Homes. Riviera Recovery is a wellness community. We help men and women to overcome substance use disorder, mental health issues, and co-occurring disorders.  Unlike other sober living homes, our residents are under the care of trained and registered nurses. Our team of professionals offers personalized attention to ensure comfort for you and your loved ones. We also have on-call doctors who will provide the necessary help during your recovery process.  man and woman playing by the beach, sober living communities near me, female sober living near me, couples sober living near Our services are based on support empowerment and safety. Some of the services we offer include transport to and from support group meetings, nutritionist support, random drug test & breathalyzers, case management, and more.  We have facilities in two locations. One facility offers coed residence, and the other is men-only residence. The coed residence is called the Pacific Palisades House. It has separate bathrooms for each gender. You can access the beach after a short walk. The facility offers a beautiful view of the beach and the Santa Monica mountains. You can access 12-step meetings in Santa Monica, Malibu, and the Pacific Palisades.  The Barrington House offers men sober living. You can access multiple parks after a short walk. Moreover, you can get to Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, and LAX after a short drive. Residents can also access yoga & meditation studios, museums, and gyms.  Contact us now to book sober living for you or your loved ones. 

Final Thoughts

Anyone who moves directly from rehab to normal life has a very high risk of relapse. In rehab, you will have only discussed the triggers and cravings. However, you will get to experience all these in real life, and you need to get support when dealing with them. Furthermore, most individuals need time to readjust to their normal lives.  Sober living offers addicts the chance to readjust. Individuals will reside in sober living homes during these periods. Sober living homes are quite different from rehab. In rehab, there are medical & health professionals, the rules are stricter, the cost is higher, and the duration shorter. People also often confuse halfway houses with sober living houses. Halfway houses are usually funded by the government, and people use them under court orders. Moreover, the amenities in halfway houses are not as good as those in sober living. They are meant for reformed convicts.  The duration you spend in sober living will depend on your needs. It depends on how comfortable you are, how stable your recovery is, and how safe home is for you. To make the best out of sober living, we advise that you find a job as you readjust, make amends with friends and family, and live by the sober living principles.  Get sober living help from a facility with professionals such as Riviera Recovery. 
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What to Do When You Hit a Wall

A person suffering from substance use disorder will have a hard time applying the skills learned during treatment. During treatment, the various triggers you learn are mainly theoretical. However, after treatment, the triggers happen, and it is very difficult to cope with them. If you suffer from, you should accept that addiction is categorized as a chronic disease.  When you hit a wall, you usually feel stagnant in your path to recovery. You are neither moving in the positive direction or the negative one. Most people hit a wall due to certain reasons and emotions. They include:
  • Mood swings
  • Lack of motivation
  • Disappointment
  • Complacency
  • Strained personal relationships
  • A pessimistic attitude
  • Romanticizing on a particular substance
 However, there are steps you can take to proceed with recovery when you hit a wall. 

What To Do When You Hit A Wall 

1. Try to Be Sober for the Next Minute, Hour, and So On

Try to take a step at a time. You can get overwhelmed if you think about years of sobriety. Sure, your goal should be to attain long term sobriety, but it should start with the next minute, the next hour, the next day, and the following week. You will eventually pick up momentum for the long-term recovery. 

2. Enroll in Aftercare Programs

Going from rehab straight to normal life puts patients at risk of hitting a wall and relapse. The triggers you face will be intense, and you will have only prepared for them theoretically. Patients should enroll in aftercare programs like sober living houses to ease the transition from rehab to normal life. 

3. Call on Loved Ones

Strained personal relationships can be a cause of hitting a wall. It can be a tough step, especially if it has been strained or your addiction has previously hurt your loved ones. However, patients have a better chance of recovery in any treatment if they have the support of their loved ones. You need to make your approach to them honestly about your situation. Furthermore, you must have the full intention and follow up on your promises.  a couple talking on the beach, addictions and recovery relapse, addiction recovery relapse prevention, drug addiction recovery and relapse

4. Book a Doctor’s Appointment

Schedule a doctor’s appointment to cross out the chances for any serious health issues. Some health risks are characterized by sudden emotional and physical changes. 

5. Get the Help of a Counselor or Therapist

Doctors will refer you to other specialists for the appropriate help if there are no serious health risks. A counselor or therapist is a neutral party that will help you get to the bottom of your problem. They will help you overcome the negative emotions and resume your recovery. 

6. Join a Support Group

Numerous organizations offer support groups for various substance use disorders. Such organizations include AA, SOS, SMART Recovery, Narcotics Anonymous, and more. These organizations have members all over the world, and it is easy to find a meeting near you. There are both local meetings and online meetings.  Online meetings are more prevalent during the Coronavirus pandemic. You will get to share your emotions and experiences during these meetings. The other members will also offer neutral help. You will also get to help others facing various challenges.  

7. Learn a New Skill

Sometimes, you may need to break the routine of normal recovery programs. Dedicate your time and energy to learning a new skill. Recovering addicts have especially displayed positive responses to creative projects. Examples of skills you can learn to include painting, drawing, sculpting, and more. You can use some of these skills to channel and express your emotions. 

8. Volunteer

You can get your mind and focus on your struggles if you focus on helping others. There are numerous volunteer opportunities available. For example, you can provide help to an animal shelter, food bank, and more. 

9. Engage in Holistic Therapies

Holistic therapies such as yoga and meditation help you to center your mind. It enables you to deal with feelings of isolation, mood swings, and more. There are treatment centers that offer these therapies, but you can also get them outside these centers. 

Get Help And More Information At Riviera Recovery

Riviera Recovery is a wellness and health community. We are based in Los Angeles, California. Our main goal is to help men and women to recover from substance abuse, co-occurring disorder, and mental health issues. We base our services around support, empowerment, and safety. They can help you or your loved one when they hit a wall.  woman wearing bikini jumping into the ocean, addictions and recovery relapse, addiction recovery relapse prevention Our support services include 24/7 available staff, food management system, sponsor contacts, transport to and from 12-step meetings, and more. There are also amenities available in our facilities. They include private & semi-private suites, meditation area, self-help library, housekeeping, and more.  We have two main facilities: a men’s facility and a coed facility. The men’s facility is called the Barrington House. It is centrally located within Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, and LAX. It provides easy access to gyms, parks, museums, yoga, and meditation studios.  The Pacific Palisades is our coed facility. It offers gorgeous views of the Santa Monica mountains and the beach. The facility also has separate bathrooms to support coed living. 

Final Word

Some various reasons and emotions cause individuals in recovery to hit a wall. Such causes include:
  • Mood swings
  • Lack of motivation
  • Disappointment
  • Complacency
  • Strained personal relationships
  • A pessimistic attitude
  • Romanticizing on a particular substance  
It is not the end of the road for you or your loved one if you hit a wall. You can engage in various steps and activities to help you get back on the road to recovery.  The steps to take when you hit a wall include:
  • Try to be sober for the next minute, hour, and so on. 
  • Enroll in aftercare programs
  • Call on loved ones for help
  • Book a doctor’s appointment
  • Get help from a therapist or counselor
  • Join a support group
  • Learn a new skill
  • Volunteer
  • Engage in holistic treatments
You can use these steps to create a personalized mix to help you get back on the recovery road. For example, some people will feel more comfortable with a therapist than a support group. Others will prefer holistic therapies to learn a new skill.  You can get help when you hit a wall at Riviera Recovery. We are an organization that focuses on support, empowerment, and safety. Our organization has two facilities to offer our services better. They include the Barrington House, which is strictly for men and the Pacific Palisades, which is a coed facility. We provide access to support groups, sponsors, holistic therapies, and various amenities to help you overcome the wall. 
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The Best Sober Living for Men in Los Angeles, California

Men are more prone to substance abuse than women. Around 67 percent of admissions in addiction treatment centers are men. The high numbers are mainly caused by culture or other influences such as stress and genetics. Most men usually suffer from marijuana and alcohol substance use disorder. Anyone can fall into substance use disorder. There are those substance abuse experiences and treatment approaches that are unique to men. Thus, you may find men-only rehab centers or sober living facilities.  

What Is Sober Living

Sober living is transitional for individuals advancing from inpatient treatment to their normal lives. Many individuals who have finished inpatient treatment for substance use disorder feel they need more time away from home. They need this time to cope with triggers and cravings.  Sober living residences are transitional because men will ease back into their work and school life. Men in sober living will also take part in an intensive outpatient program. They will access treatment services like therapy, support groups, mentorship, sponsor contacts, and counseling.  two men standing beside each other, sober living for men, sober living homes for men, la california sober living for men

Sober Living Vs. Rehab

Sober living and rehab are similar because you will spend time in a given facility. However, there are major differences between the two. The main difference is that rehab facilities are clinical environments, while sober living is a supportive environment.  The staff members of rehab facilities are clinical experts such as doctors. There are some top sober living houses like Riviera Recovery with licensed practitioners like therapists. However, most of them do not have these experts.  Rehab facilities are usually closed-doors facilities. This means that you cannot leave unattended. However, sober living houses encourage you to attend offsite activities like support groups, family time, and more. You can also go to work or school while in a sober living facility.  In most cases, individuals spend more time in rehab than in sober living houses. It could be 30, 60, or even 90 days.   two men in water, sober living for men, sober living homes for men, la california sober living for men

What To Expect In Men-only Sober Living

How men-only sober living in Los Angeles is based on what it means to live in a sober house. 
  • Structure. Sober living offers a structure for individuals in recovery. The structure is achieved in the form of rules. There are different rules in a sober house, and each of these depends on the facility. Examples include aero tolerance on drugs and alcohol, curfew restrictions, tidiness, visitation regulations, general conduct, and more.  
  • Tough love. Tough love from the staff in a sober living house nudges you towards long-term sobriety. They exhibit it through honesty, compassion, and real conversations I topics like masculinity, sex, self-worth, substance abuse, and more.  
  • Outpatient programs. It is a requirement to engage in some outpatient programs while in sober living houses. Examples include therapy, support groups, sponsor meetings, mentorship, and counseling.  
  • Supportive community. Long Term recovery calls for the support that sober living houses offer. The support will come in the form of friendships with your housemates, shared chores, support meetings with housemates, sharing meals & conversations, and more. 
  • Medication support. There are those individuals who need further medical support after rehab. The sober house staff will take over giving out the prescriptions to avoid abuse of these drugs. However, the medication you have must be prescribed by a doctor. 

Get Help Today at Riviera Recovery

Riviera Recovery is a wellness community that offers the best sober living houses in Los Angeles on top of other services. We offered health and wellness services for over 30 years now. Recovery Riviera also offers transportation to outpatient treatment programs and 12-step meetings. The locations of our facilities also offer access to serene environments and activities such as paddleboarding and surfboarding.  man with surfboard walking towards water body, sober living for men, sober living homes for men, la california sober living for men We have two sober living houses dedicated to men and co-ed. Our Pacific Palisades is dedicated to co-ed residency. It has separate bathrooms to support co-ed residency. The residents have access to gorgeous ocean views. You can also see the Santa Monica mountains since this facility is located right at the foot of these mountains. Our Barrington House is dedicated to men’s sober living residency. You can access a couple of parks and various shops. It is also centrally located within a short driving distance from Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, and LAX. Furthermore, our residents have access to yoga studios, museums, meditation, and gyms. There is also a BBQ in our outdoor patio.  Our services focus on support, empowerment, and safety.  They include a phase system, random breathalyzer & drug testing, nightly check-ins, nutritionist meetings, food management system, sponsor contacts, and more.  We also offer amenities as part of our services. They include weekly mentoring, housekeeping, peloton bikes, grocery cards, weekly family updates, and more.  

Conclusion

Men and women undergoing recovery from substance use disorder have unique challenges that call for unique help. The men have a higher rate of substance use disorder than women. They also tend to abuse different substances, as men are more prone to an alcohol use disorder. This calls for different approaches to treatment. There are rehab facilities that focus on specific genders to be able to provide unique services. This also applies to sober living. For example, there are men-specific, women-specific, and co-ed sober houses. Sober living is a transitional phase where individuals spend time in a sober house. They need this transition because they are still prone to relapse from various triggers and cravings. You will have access to outpatient programs such as support groups, therapy, and mentorship.  Many individuals confuse rehab and sober living. Rehab is a clinical environment, while sober living is a transitional and supportive environment. In sober living, you are free to leave the premises while rehab is a closed-doors setting. Moreover, rehab tends to take longer.  In men sober living, residents can expect tough love, structure, outpatient programs, a supportive community, and medication support.  You can get help in Los Angeles at Riviera Recovery. We are an experienced team of recovery experts that have served residents in the Los Angeles area for more than 30 years. We have two facilities, one for men and co-ed. Our Barrington house residency offers men sober living in Los Angeles, and our Pacific Palisades offers co-ed sober living. Both of these facilities offer a serene environment packed with fun and growth activities to promote sober living.  Our basic rule is our facilities are drug and alcohol-free zones. However, we also admit residents who have been sober for a single day. Contact us now to book your space or for your loved one space in sober living.
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The Best Sober Living for Women in Los Angeles, California

Many women go back to their normal lives after addiction treatment. However, the risk of relapse is still high. This is because they are vulnerable to triggers, emotional imbalances, cravings, and they may take time to cope. Medical professionals advise both men and women to go through sober living before they resume their normal healthy lives. 

What is Sober Living?

Sober Living or sober houses are a bridge between inpatient addiction treatment and normal healthy lives. There are various types of sober living houses. The best sober living houses for women in Los Angeles like Riviera Sober Living feature staff available 24/7, conduct drug tests, and enforce house rules.  We also encourage our residents to engage in further treatment, such as intensive outpatient programs, support groups, recovery meetings, therapy, and more. The sober living will offer appropriate structure and support to facilitate long-term addiction recovery. For example, they let you go to work, attend school, and visit with family, as you receive treatment. 

What It’s Like to Be in Sober Living 

Sober living and sober houses are all about support. They focus on community living, which provides the support and skills necessary to ease back into your normal life. You will be able to build relationships with your housemates. There will be listening and sharing valuable insights, experiences, and the chance to build your self-esteem.  You will be able to learn that a supportive environment is necessary for ongoing and long term addiction recovery. Moreover, you will acquire skills like understanding, tolerance, and patience when dealing with yourself and others.  happy young woman standing by the door, sober living for women, sober living homes for women, sober living homes for women near me

Gender-Specific Sober Living

Gender-specific sober houses are premises that facilitate sober living for one given gender. This means that there are those sober houses for women and those for men. Such sober houses help individuals to avoid distractions, feel comfortable, and tackle issues unique either to men or women.  The rules of sober living will depend on sober houses. Some allow visits from opposite genders and those that do not. Some allow full weekend or overnight visits for spouses and family.  photo of women talking, sober living for women, sober living homes for women, sober living homes for women near me

Sober Living vs. Halfway Houses 

Many people often confuse sober houses with halfway houses. They similarly do function but are not entirely similar. Halfway houses are used by the criminal justice system to help individuals transition from prison life to normal life. Individuals who go to halfway houses are under court orders as they are either on probation or parole.  On the other hand, sober living in Malibu is voluntary and meant for individuals undergoing addiction recovery. They provide a safe environment, structure, and support for addiction recovery.  

Rules of Sober Living

Some rules govern sober living in sober houses. The most basic rule is that the premises are alcohol-free and drug-free zones. These rules ensure the safety of all the residents from relapse. There are measures to enforce this rule. They include the presence of breathalyzers, random & mandatory drug tests, and the right to search your premises for alcohol, drugs, and paraphernalia.  Curfew is another major rule. The availability of curfew and curfew time varies with the facility. Some require you to have a support group or appointments with licensed therapists, psychiatrists, or counselors.  Other rules in sober houses include dress code, in-house conduct, tidiness requirements, visitors, household chores, noise levels, and more. 

Get Help at Riviera Sober Living – West Los Angeles Sober Living Homes

Riviera Recovery is a health and wellness community in Los Angeles. We focus on getting men and women help to recover from substance use disorder, co-occurring disorders, and mental health. Riviera Recovery tries to maintain its admissions at a possible minimum to enable our team to offer individual treatment, mentoring, counseling, and more. Our women’s sober living residence offers services and comforts that are uniquely essential to women in addiction recovery.  We also have other sober living facilities for men and coed. Our Pacific Palisades facility is a coed facility at the foot of Santa Monica mountains with excellent ocean views. It has separate bathrooms to support coed residents. The Barrington House facility offers sober living for men only. You can take a short drive from Beverly Hills, LAX, and Santa Monica to arrive at the facility.  We offer numerous other services to promote safety, empowerment, and support for recovery. Examples of these services include nutritionist meetings, weekly mentor meetings, sponsor contacts, weekly social activities, referrals to outpatient programs, and more.  woman in black swimsuit playing with water, sober living for women, sober living homes for women, sober living homes for women near me Our services are more effective with the help of our staff and available amenities. Such amenities include housekeeping, private suites, semi-private suites, weekly family updates, recovery compass book, meditation area, library, and more.  Our locations make it possible to engage in healthy activities such as hiking, surfing, rock climbing, horse riding, and more. 

Conclusion

Sober Living offers a chance for a smooth transition from inpatient addiction treatment to your healthy life. In sober living, you will reside in sober houses with other residents. These facilities have rules to ensure the safety of the residents. The rules regulate, visit, curfew, restrict substance abuse, and more.  Sober living is mainly about support and community that will help you gain long term recovery. You will build relationships with your housemates, friends, and family to create a strong support system that prevents relapse. Individuals in sober living pick up skills such as listening, sharing, understanding, patience, and tolerance.  While living in a sober house, you will take part in an intensive outpatient program, support groups, therapy, counseling, and mentorship. Most individuals begin to transition back to their work and school activities.  Gender differences call for unique needs when it comes to addiction recovery. There are sober houses uniquely for men, women, and coed. Some people confuse halfway houses and sober houses.  A halfway house is mandatory for its residents as they are referred by the department of justice. Their main goal is to help ex-prisoners to transition back to their lives. Sober houses are voluntary for its residents. They go to these facilities to get a safe space to ease back to their lives after rehab.  Riviera Recovery offers sober living houses for men and women in Los Angeles. There are facilities uniquely set for men, women, and coed. We offer services such as nutritionist meetings, weekly mentor meetings, sponsor contacts, weekly social activities, and more. Contact us to book a residency. 
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What Is Narcotic Anonymous

Relapse prevention is an ongoing activity for anyone who is recovering or has recovered from substance use disorder. There are various approaches to help individuals sustain their sobriety. Examples include continued family therapy, individual therapy, and group therapy.  Group therapy entails meetings with your peers or individuals facing similar struggles. It is a place where you can motivate one another towards long-term sobriety. Furthermore, you will find activities to engage in here to keep your mind of substances.  People over time have come together and formed various groups with various goals and to help various individuals. One of them is Narcotics Anonymous.

What is Narcotic Anonymous

Narcotics Anonymous, better known as N.A., is a non-profit organization where men and women recovering or have recovered from substance use disorder meet and motivate one another to stay sober.  You need to meet only one requirement for you to join Narcotics Anonymous. This requirement is simply the desire to quit substance use. There are no upfront fees, pledges, promises, or affiliations to anyone or organization. Furthermore, they are not interested in your past, but how they can offer help to help you overcome substance use disorder.  man sitting in front of his laptop working, recovery homes in santa monica, halfway house los angeles

A little History on Narcotic Anonymous

Narcotics Anonymous is a spinoff of Alcoholics Anonymous. It was created to try and mirror the success of Alcoholics Anonymous. It was officially founded in 1953 in Los Angeles, California. Currently, Narcotics Anonymous is available in more than 129 countries.

Narcotic Anonymous Meetings

Meetings facilitate giving and receiving help. They offer a place to learn coping skills and to get help regularly. There will be meetings with your peer’s counselor sponsor or even a guest speaker.  The meetings usually take place in a rented facility in most cases owned by churches, NGOs, the government, and more. Moreover, you can have fun while keeping your sobriety as you can engage in activities to help you maintainer light mode and avoid stress or depression. These meetings are free.  There are two types of Narcotics Anonymous meetings. You need to identify which meeting works for you best. You should try out a few meetings and groups to identify one that is best for your needs in terms of aspects like personality disorder problem schedule and more.  The NA meetings can either be open or closed. 
  • Open meetings are the ones that are accessible to anyone. The main purpose of public meetings is to include interested parties such as families and even future Narcotics Anonymous members.
  • Closed meetings are NA meetings, which are only accessible individuals recovering from use disorder.

What to Expect from a Narcotics Anonymous Meeting?

1. 12 Step Meetings

Twelve steps meetings are borrowed from Alcoholics Anonymous. They are set of guidelines or principles but help you overcome substance use disorder. Narcotics Anonymous uses these steps to help individuals struggling with various types of substance use disorder. However, Alcoholics Anonymous only used it to help individuals struggling with alcohol use disorder.

2. Non-Judgemental Meetings

Narcotics Anonymous meetings are non-judgemental. This helps to create an environment that is safe for members to share their personal experiences with addiction. Members of NA are welcoming and caring to each other and two new members. You will feel comfortable to share and also get to learn from what others share.

3. Anonymity

Some individuals failed to attend as the hair social with legal repercussions. However, Narcotics Anonymous has high regard for anonymity. The anonymity not only protects each individual but also creates an atmosphere that promotes equality. In case you join the organization is new to uphold the anonymity. This includes:
  •  You should not acknowledge our members by name or through photos to show they are NA members. 
  • You should not describe the details of any member’s circumstances that could reveal his or her identity.

4. Non-religious 

Some meetings may take place in buildings owned by churches, but this does not mean Narcotics Anonymous belongs to that religion. However, they do focus on grounded spirituality, which involves reference to a good orderly Direction or higher power. This ‘Higher Power’ is simply a guide of strength and morality rather than an acknowledgment of any religion. This encourages you to focus on individual understanding.

5. Meeting Terminology

You need to familiarize yourself with some of the terminologies as you attend these meetings. Some of the common Narcotics Anonymous terminologies used and their meanings include:
  • Sponsor. This refers to an individual with experience in the 12-step programs and helps others advance through them.
  • Sharing. This means offering other members your personal experience with substance use disorder.
  • New Comers. Refers to new members.
  • Basic Text. This is the Narcotics Anonymous book that covers their core ideas. 
  • IPs. These are Information Pamphlets that cover more on NA.
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Get Help at Riviera Sober Living

Riviera Sober Living is a wellness center that has two locations one in Pacific palisades and the other in West LA. We offer various services to help you overcome substance use and co-occurring disorders. Examples of these services include:
  • Transportation to 12 step meetings and back 
  • Weekly mentor meetings 
  • Random drug testing 
  • Weekly social activities 
  • Sponsor contacts 
  • Referrals to outpatient programs 
  • Nutritionist meetings and more. 
carefree concept of a woman doing a jump shot, recovery homes in santa monica Our facilities have amenities that make us one of the best addiction treatment centers in Century City, Los Angeles. Examples include private and semi-private suites, a self-help library, a grocery card, weekly family meetings, and more. We offer all levels of treatment which include:
  • Recovery homes in Santa Monica 
  • Affordable sober living in Los Angeles 
  • Alcohol rehabilitation in Hollywood Hills Los Angeles and; 
  • Addiction rehab in LA 90067.
Our treatment centers and programs are also pet friendly, which lets you bring your pets, which could be useful for a stable recovery.

Conclusion

Narcotics Anonymous can be part of aftercare treatment for individuals on the recovery path or those struggling with substance use disorder. It is a non-profit organization which was founded in 1953 in Los Angeles. This organization was formed after the success of Alcoholics Anonymous. However, unlike Alcoholics Anonymous that helps individuals with alcohol use disorder Narcotics Anonymous allows individuals who are struggling with substance use disorders. It is absolutely free to join Narcotics Anonymous, just like with Alcoholics Anonymous. You only need to bring one requirement, which is your desire to stop using it. Narcotic anonymous helps individuals through various meetings. It can be an individual meeting with a counselor, group meetings, or meetings with a speaker. These meetings can either be open or closed. An open meeting is where the Narcotics Anonymous meeting is accessible to interested parties like family members. A closed meeting is a Narcotics Anonymous meeting, or that is only accessible to individuals struggling with or recovering from substance use disorder.  There are various aspects of these meetings you should know or anticipate before you attend. They include:
  • There are 12-step meetings 
  • The meetings will be non-judgmental 
  • Members are Anonymous 
  • Narcotics Anonymous does not favor any religion 
  • There are some meeting terminologies you should know, for example, sponsor, which refers to an individual who helps others advance through 12 step programs.
    • Narcotic Anonymous meetings are accessible for you during your treatment. You can get help from Riviera Recovery, which is one of the top recovery homes in Santa Monica and Los Angeles. We offer various treatment programs and services, for example, inpatient treatment, outpatient treatment, and sober living.
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Money Addiction. Does it Exist?

Money is essential in life. You need it to stay afloat in life. However, is it possible for a person to develop an unhealthy dependency on cash? Some money addiction habits are obvious to notice while most are not. It is easy to spot some of these obvious manifestations, such as a money gambler or one who flashes their designer clothes or new luxurious cars. However, the challenge comes in noticing the hidden signs that even you could be having.  Anything can get you addicted. However, money addiction is easily dismissed since there are addictions that are considered worse, such as substance dependence. While money addiction is not as bad as substance dependence, the consequences are equally dire. Dependency on money can undermine integrity and honesty, ruin relationships, destroy careers, and even trigger depression. Let’s break this down to signs of money addiction and how you can beat money addiction.

5 Signs of Money Addiction

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1. You Are Obsessed With Obtaining Money

Your mind is ever preoccupied with the idea of obtaining money or getting more money. Consequently, even your behavior revolves around acquiring money. Such acts may include gambling or buying lottery tickets with the hope of winning and also overworking.

2. Being in Denial

When you are in denial about money addiction, you will tend to be unclear about your earnings, savings, expenditure, and debt. It is common for people to live in an obscure financial situation where you do not know the sum of money in your bank account or the total debt you owe your credit card company. You can also be in denial about your financial status, which may cause you to overspend and live a lifestyle you cannot afford. This will make you get into more financial debt and bankruptcy. Lack of financial goals, such as a retirement plan or saving for rainy days, is also a form of living in denial.  In such cases, you tend to think that a solution will come up when the problem arises, which is unrealistic. Denial does not only happen to irrational spenders and chronic debtors. It can easily happen to people who save excessively and hardly spend the money they have. Such people tend to worry about the numbers in their accounts and believe that the more the money, the happier and more satisfied they will be, but in most cases, the amount in their accounts will never be enough. Denial keeps people from seeking help, even as these behaviors continue to destroy their lives.

3. Self-image Tied to Money

People who have an addiction to money tend to believe that their self-image and self-worth is determined by the amount of money they earn, the money in their bank accounts or how much they spend. The hoarders go to the extent of missing events or social gatherings where they are expected to spend money with the fear of losing it.

4. Involving Yourself in Dangerous Behaviors

This is a common trait in people who are obsessed with money.  You tend to engage in risky behaviors such as gambling, overindulgence in the stock market with the hope of making more money and overspending. This occurs even if the gambler or the over spender cannot afford to make potential losses. However, this behavior of involving yourself in risky behavior to earn more money does not apply to all people who can be termed to be addicted to money.

5. Inability to Change Your Money Habits

You lack control over your money, and you cannot change your money habits despite the horrible consequences that come with your money dependence.  You have probably tried to change, but no solution is working, no matter how hard you try.  You have probably made decisions such as using cash instead of your credit card, but you end up carrying and using your credit card instead or you take some more money from your family savings to hit the casino one last time and swear you will return the money, but this never happens. If this is the case, then you have little to no control over the financial aspect of your life.

Effects of Money Addiction

People who are addicted to money require money to feel happy and satisfied, but the feeling is short-lived, and you end up brainstorming on other ways to make more money. You may also feel the need to keep your destructive behavior private due to the shame that comes with it, and this may cause more impulsive gambling or shopping. The consequences could be as bad as getting divorced, losing all your property, or bankruptcy.  You may lose self-confidence due to these recurring habits and begin to doubt your inherent abilities. Eventually, all of this will trigger depression.

3 Strategies for Beating Money Addiction

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  1. Be Honest With Yourself. If you identified with the signs listed above, you likely have money addiction. Admit it to yourself that you have a problem, and you need to seek help. This is the first step in dealing with money addiction.
  2. Have a Genuine Desire for Change. Consciously and willingly admit that you want to change and make inventories on your spending and study the patterns. This will help you see where your negative money habits are at.
  3. Seek Professional Help. Most times, you are too deep into the addiction and negative habits that you need professional help to help you begin your sober living.

Getting Help from Riviera Sober Living

Riviera is a health and wellness community helping men and women recover from substance use, mental health, and co-occurring disorders. We, at the Riviera Sober Living, have a unique and holistic approach to establishing long-term recovery. These programs also include couples sober living. The Riviera team provides the necessary guidance to support successful recoveries.  people standing on sandy beach, recovery homes in santa monica, halfway house los angeles, sober living homes in los angeles Our personnel dedicates their time to ensure you’re comfortable and have a friendly stay at our homes. Our therapists work with you to identify where the problem stems from and how to help you recover. Our services include treatment and therapy activities. Residents can also come and go as they please, and this creates a balance between the inpatient facility and the real world.  Riviera Sober Living has two facilities. The Palisades House and the Barrington House. The Palisades House is located at Pacific Palisades. It is co-ed with separate bathrooms for each gender and is a short walk to the beach with amazing views of the Pacific Ocean. The Barrington House is in West Los Angeles. The location is all male and a walking distance to various parks and a couple of shops. It is also close to schools such as UCLA, USC, SMC, LMU, and other schools.

Conclusion

Money addiction is an unhealthy dependence on money. Some signs of money addiction are gambling, overspending, or excessively saving.  The signs of money addiction are living in denial and obsessing over obtaining more money. These signs can also portray themselves in habits such as the inability to change unhealthy money habits, the self-image and self-worth of the person tied to the amount of money they have, and involving yourself in risky behaviors to get more money. The effects of dependency on money are undermined integrity and honesty, ruined relationships, destroyed careers, and can even trigger depression. You can cope with money addiction by being honest and coming into terms with your problem, open up to those closest to you and ask for their help. You should also make strong and intentional plans to beat the negative spending patterns you have and by seeking help from health and wellness communities such as Riviera Sober Living. The primary reason to work for money is to be able to purchase your tangible needs. This is the traditional way of thinking about money. Nevertheless, human beings don’t tend to behave in that way. Sometimes getting money only further fuels your urge to get more money. This behavior of human beings tends to be highly influenced by the situations they are in and environments from which they come from. At Riviera Sober Living – West Los Angeles Home, we are a sober house in Los Angeles, and we provide support to people dealing with alcohol and drug use, mental health, and co-occurring disorders. Our personnel and therapists work to ensure a holistic approach to establishing long term recovery. Contact us today and let us help you live a healthy, fulfilling life. Protected by Copyscape
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Facebook and Social Media Addiction

As much as social media has made the world a global village, a section of individuals is engrossed on social media exceedingly. However, companies, politicians, Non-profit organizations, and other people use social media platforms to convey messages to their target audiences. A section of social media users has managed to amass huge followings on the platforms and therefore earning through them by monetizing their activities. This is through promoting and advertising company products and several market brands.  The desire to be influential on social media and commercialization of brands has been on the rise in the recent past. This has resulted in a few millennials feeling pressurized, thus seeking to imitate the lifestyles of celebrities and other online influencers. Since millennials come from all walks of life, they end up living fake lifestyles by posing in posh places in photos, attending high-end events to get affiliated to a certain social class. They end up spending a lot of time on the platforms without realizing they are getting addicted. Approximately 10% of Americans are social media addicts, according to psychologists.

What Extent Is Regarded as Addiction?

As an Individual, if you are greatly concerned about what is happening in various social media platforms or you have a compulsive urge to log onto them, thus spending a lot of time on them, you are considered to be an addict.  Social media addiction can be significantly attributed to the provision of ‘feel-good‘ chemicals such as Dopamine and Serotonin. Social media platforms such as Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, Twitter, and Snapchat release a similar nervous speedway that recreational drugs and betting give to users. woman taking photo of pizza, sober house los angeles, affordable sober living in los angeles, addiction treatment centers Research studies have shown that the brain centers that are triggered by drugs like Cocaine are responsible for the compelling urge for social media addiction. Social media use has also resulted in poor decision making, whereas social media addicts portray behavioral signs, thoughts, and attitudes similar to drug-addicted individuals. When you post something on social media, and you get appealing responses, the brain releases dopamine a ‘feel-good’ chemical thereby perpetuating a habitual social media behavior.

Using Social Media Networks as a Coping Technique

Some individuals use social media to receive the recognition which they are not accorded in life. Other people use social media to deal with inner battles such as loneliness, depression, and stress. The frequent use finally causes problems like scorning work, school, poor physical health, and irritability, and mood changes. This makes you turn to use of social networks to relieve themselves, thus increasing dependency.

How to Detect Social Media Addiction

Using various social media platforms has become a norm for everyone, and therefore it’s advisable to be cautious not to fall into the cycle of addiction. As an individual, you are therefore encouraged to practice digital detoxification, which comprises a period of spending time away from electronics such as smartphones and laptops. This involves enacting easy steps such as deactivating one or more social networks, logging onto them once or twice every couple of hours, leaving your gadget on in a different room when going to sleep, and self-discipline by not holding your device during mealtime. These self-made rules and regulations enable you to be focused on physical relations, thereby reduction of dependency on social networks. Social media addicts portray nervousness and anxiousness after being away from social media platforms. You may also isolate yourself from your peers and family and a loss of enthusiasm in hobbies you once treasured.

8 Tell-tale Signs of Addiction:

1. Lying on the Duration Spent on Social Networks

The majority of social media addicts tend to feel guilt and shame as you spend a lot of time on social platforms. To cover this up, you opt to lie to your peers and family on time spent on networks since you can’t moderate your behavior as much as you are aware of its wrong.

2. Isolation from Peers and Family

Gradually, social media addiction increasingly consumes your time as an individual. Due to this, you may isolate and withdraw from your loved ones and participate actively in social platforms. man in red crew neck sleeping on a laptop, sober house los angeles, affordable sober living in los angeles

3. Loss Of Enthusiasm In Activities You once Loved

As social media participation progresses, as an addict, you increase your duration spent on social networks. This overindulgence takes up the time that you pursue other interests and hobbies you once loved.

4. Scorning Work and School to Spend Time on Social Networks

Since social media addicts over indulge on social networks actively, you may tend to abscond duties like work and school assignments. This is because you are unable to moderate your time and energy and prioritize other important key areas.

5. Feeling Stressed and Finding Life Meaningless

As an addict, at a certain point, you may feel as if life is meaningless due to boredom. Take into consideration that whatever you see on the social networks by the influencers and celebrities is barely a third of their lives. Also, they mostly highlight spectacular events in their lives, and they also have tight schedules of social networks. Most importantly, keep in mind that you have to work to maintain your lifestyle as well as learn and step out to experience the beauty of life.

6. Interruption of Talks to Log Onto Social Networks

As an addict, you are compelled by social platforms to the extent that you become restless and have difficulty concentrating during conversations with friends and family. Many a time, you may seem distracted and frequently check your smartphone for updates and notifications.

7. Anxiousness, Irritability and Mood Changes

Due to the inability to control your feelings, as an addict, you tend to feel anxious when you can’t regularly check your devices for updates and notifications. As much as you feel guilt afterward, you still do that over and over again.

8. Interferences in Professional and Personal Activities

As an addict, if you are schooling, you may experience poor grades, and missing out deadlines may be shown in the workplace. If you experience the specified signs, it is advisable to consult mental health services to be assessed and get individualized treatment.

Riviera Sober Living

Riviera Recovery is a health and wellness center that helps men and women recover from drug and substance use, mental health disorders as well as co-occurring disorders. Our team of expert health professionals is available 24/7 as needed, and our clients can participate in mandatory house meetings and other social activities. We have a sober living house in Southern California and sober living in West Los Angeles. At our sober living house Los Angeles, we offer services such as couples sober living as well as upscale sober living facilities. Riviera sober living has two house locations that are Pacific Palisades house and the Barrington house.  The Pacific Palisades house offers serenity with beautiful ocean views under the Santa Monica Mountains. It is also co-ed and has separate bathrooms for every gender. The Barrington House is an all-male facility with close proximity to several parks and shops. It has a cozy lounge area and a BBQ at the outdoor patio.  Clients can visit museums, gyms, yoga, and meditation classes since it’s centrally located to Beverly Hills, LAX, and Santa Monica.  men and women at the beach, sober house los angeles, affordable sober living in los angeles At our sober house Los Angeles, we also provide treatment for alcoholism. Alcoholics seeking help for alcohol treatment Los Angeles, 90067, can turn to us to begin your recovery journey. Our medical team of experts facilitate sober living in Los Angeles and is there with you throughout your journey, and they monitor your progress over time. Reach out today to get our help.

Conclusion

As much as anyone can suffer from food addiction, genes play a significant role in an individual’s likelihood of addiction. Factors such as ethnicity and gender also increase food addiction risks. Environmental factors like peer pressure, lack of parental guidance, and economic status also increase addiction likelihood.  Just like any addiction type, food addiction can be mitigated and treated. To increase the chances of full recovery and reduce relapse after some years, a twelve-step program and abstinence from the addictive foods should be considered by medical experts.  Since addicts react differently, even upon using similar foods, medical experts use personalized treatment plans for each person. As an addict, consult your medical service provider for help as soon as possible and start the recovery process. 
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What Does Living in a Sober House Mean?

Life after rehab or inpatient treatment can be a little challenging. Just detoxification of some drugs involves the use of tapering. Getting back to your life needs the same principle. In the late 1800s, prisoners in England transitioned from prison life to civilian life with the help of halfway houses. These houses were later used to serve various purposes, for example, to shelter the homeless or use disorder patients.  If you need help transitioning back to the community and your life, you will need to understand what a sober house is, how it works, and how it benefits you. You may also use sober house living if or you need rehab for a while longer as an outpatient. 

What is a Sober House?

sky blue couch with a pillow, sober living los angeles, couples sober living, sober living house los angeles A Sober house is a residence specially designed to host individuals discharged from use disorder inpatient treatment. People often confuse sober houses with halfway houses. Sober houses belong to individuals or private addiction treatment organizations and centers. Halfway houses, on the other hand, are owned by government agencies. Sober houses do not receive any funding from the government, which means you have to pay rent for your stay. You will have access to various programs to help you maintain sobriety. The sober house will equip you with the skills necessary to function as a sober individual. You will be able to learn skills like responsibility, how to compromise accountability, and cooking and cleaning for yourself. Sober house living is also covered under addiction rehab licenses, which makes it possible to offer various programs to help continue with treatment after treatment in an inpatient rehab clinic.

How Does it Work?

You will begin at the intake process, where you are expected to provide adequate information that will be used to support you during this. We will ask for details on your general health, mental health condition, and addiction history. The medical professionals will want to know the last time you used any substance if you are under the care of a physician or have any existing medical conditions.  Treatment consultants in sober houses are always non-judgemental, so you should be straight forward when they ask standard questions such as your education, occupation, and criminal background. Addiction consultants also take part in the intake to help prescribe the right program for your use disorder.

What Does Living in a Sober House Mean?

Living in a sober house means that you will undertake daily operations with house managers overseas. Sober houses have evolved to try and offer the best care for their residence. For example, residences like Riviera Recovery have an entire staff that is ready to assist the residents at any time. They have overnight staff or resident managers who will support you when you face cravings, and your sponsor is unavailable.  Some of the staff may not be medical professionals; however, they are well trained in addiction and recovery. Other sober houses rely on community fellowship for support counseling sessions and daily therapy.

Types of Support Available 

a smiling chef holding a cup, sober living los angeles, couples sober living, sober living house los angeles Most community based sober living Homes focus on peer recovery and support. They help establish these bonds through wellness classes outdoor excursions group therapy and 12-step meetings to stop sober houses highly recommend 12 step meetings as they have a high recovery success rate.  The use of group therapy helps residents find solutions for anxiety loss stress from addiction to depression and more. Individuals will feel less lonely when they exchange experiences and relate to what the members are going through. It helps to increase a sense of understanding, empathy, patience, support, and more, which will benefit the community as a whole. The availability of support is important in a sober house. It is a criterion you should consider when selecting which sober house to go to.

Day to Day Life in a Sober House

Rules routine and structure will have a significant impact on your sobriety. They will help you reduce seclusion feelings and outside influences that may trigger a relapse. A healthy routine will not only help with addiction treatment, but it is also used to help with mental health illnesses. The routine in a sober house will include choosing house activities or group activities. There are those residences that the residents attend a school or go to work. This is an outpatient treatment program for such facilities.  Typical activities in a sober house routine include 12-step meetings and house activities such as yoga adventure therapy or holistic treatment. Most residences have a strict visitor policy and a curfew which the residents must abide by. All the treatments and activities you partake in have proven to have a positive effect on the body mind and spirit of residents. There is also a significant emphasis on sobriety healing and self-care as they are recurring aspects of your daily life, even outside the sober house. These activities and routines prepare you for believing when you leave.

How Successful Are Sober Houses?

The biological components make it hard to maintain sobriety after a chemical dependency, but Sober Houses have high success rates. The success depends on the period you stay at the Residence. Most people spend 3 to 6 months in the facility. However, you have an increased chance of sobriety if you visit longer, especially if you have been struggling with use disorder for years. This gives your brain ample time to reset itself.  During this time, you will deal with emotional problems and their underlying causes. Time is also necessary for those struggling with mental illnesses such as depression who are chief stability. The strict house rules and peaceful environment help you to stay sober. There will be random drug tests that will discourage you from relapse.

Riviera Recovery Sober Living

The Riviera recovery sober house helps you in sobriety general wellness and independence. Our health community offers multiple services, including referrals to other outpatient programs, weekly social activities, nightly check-ins, personal trainers, 12-step meetings, food management, random drug testing, and more.  We are a team of medical professionals and non-medical professionals trained with Addiction and recovery. Our organization has two main facilities; the Palisades house and the Barrington house. They are equipped with amenities such as housekeeping private security suites, self-help library weekly family updates participation in outpatient programs weekly mentoring, and more.  a person lying on a sofa while reading a book, sober living los angeles, couples sober living, sober living house los angeles The Palisades House overlooks the Pacific Ocean from the foot of the Santa Monica mountains. You have access to various activities within the local eating places like Malibu Pacific palisades and Santa Monica. Contact us to start rehab today at this high-end facility for long-term sobriety. The Barrington house residence is an all-male location that has access to a couple of Parks and shops within walking distance. It is located in West La with easy access to Beverly Hills and Santa Monica. We offer a thriving 12-step program with daily meetings.

Final Thoughts

You can get help to help you lead a sober life in Sober houses. A sober house is a residential facility that enables you to transition back into your life after rehab. You will participate in Multiple activities to help you gain sobriety skills. Such activities include outdoor excursions group therapy, individual therapy 12-step meetings, and more. Sober houses have a high success rate, which makes them trust me.  You can start sober living today in a top facility like Riviera recovery, which is run by medical professionals who know how to handle transition. You may expect to stay in this residence for 3 to 6 months. However, the longer you stay, the better chances you have to lead a sober life over a long time.
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Sober Living Houses in Malibu

Once you complete your detox, the tricky phase of staying sober begins. Statistics show that about 40 to 60 percent of recovering addicts falter during this stage and relapse. Without proper care, you are likely to be among this group that goes back to using drugs.  Sober living homes or halfway houses are an excellent place for recovering addicts to sustain their sobriety. Many people that leave inpatient treatment centers struggle to transition into a life free from drugs without rules. Halfway houses provide the environment a recovering addict needs to transition to society. Recovering addicts that start rehab today in sober living homes have a high probability of staying sober.

What Differentiates Sober Living Homes from Inpatient Rehab Facilities 

woman looking at a laptop while talking on her phone, sober living los angeles, couples sober living There are a few differences between sober living homes and inpatient rehab centers. 
  1. Period of stay – you can stay in halfway houses for as long as you need rehab. There are no restrictions on the duration of your stay. In case the agreed period comes to an end, and you still feel that you need rehabilitation, you can extend your stay. Residential facilities offer programs for specific periods, such as 30 or 90 days.  
  2. Care – you do not have full time caregivers in halfway houses. However, addiction consultants and specialists may visit the home frequently for checkups or counseling sessions. For a residential facility, the doctors or caregivers are available full time to assist you in your recovery. 
  3. Freedom of movement – you have the freedom to move in and out of the halfway house to a large extent. This liberty enables you to integrate into a sober life in society slowly. Similarly, your friends and family have more leeway in terms of visitation. However, the facility may impose some restrictions on these movements, such as curfews and designated visiting hours. Residential facilities, on the other hand, prohibit your movement out of a rehab clinic, and they rarely allow visitors into the facility. 
  4. Routine – you follow fewer routines in halfway houses than in residential centers. Sober living homes may have a few mandatory programs, such as therapy with an addiction treatment consultant. However, you may have to occasionally perform some chores and be in bed by a given time. This routine is for helping you be responsible as you transition to society. Residential centers have daily routines. 

What Defines a Sober Living Home? 

The concept of sober living homes originated in California. It involves recovering addicts staying in a drug-free environment as they transition to society after detox. Halfway houses allow them to follow fewer rules as they integrate into the new life of sobriety. Their programs are often different, with only willing participants taking part. Consequently, they usually do not require addiction rehab licenses that other addiction facilities need to operate.  Almost all halfway houses have these characteristics:
  • They do not allow drugs in their vicinity 
  • They provide no formal treatment  
  • They encourage residents to participate in group programs such as Alcohol Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous 
  • They demand that residents comply with house rules, which provide a conducive environment for the recovery of residents and make them responsible 
  • They share costs such as rent and other expenses among residents 
  • They allow residents to stay for as long as one has the feeling that rehab is right for them.

Typical Rules in Sober Living Homes 

a man looking at a laptop outside, sober living los angeles, couples sober living, sober living house los angeles To provide a conducive environment for you and other residents, and to give you a good chance of staying sober, halfway houses have these regulations. 
  1. Nightly curfew for inhabitants 
  2. Zero drug tolerance policy 
  3. Limits on the number of guests and period of their stay 
  4. Employment requirements 
  5. Expenses and duties contributions by inhabitants 
  6. Attendance of mandatory sober home meetings 
  7. No visitors that are high on drugs
  8. Submission of samples for occasional drug tests 
  9. Attendance at the required number of counseling sessions or 12-Step gatherings 
There are fewer, less stringent regulations to be followed when staying at a sober living home. There are fewer regulations for starting life in halfway houses because they offer different services from one facility to another. Additionally, they provide unique drug rehab programs, and their residents check in willingly. 

Is Sober Living Right for Me? 

A halfway house can be ideal for you under the following circumstances. 
  • You have tried residential treatment unsuccessfully before, and you cannot stay away from drugs while at home 
  • You struggle to maintain a life of sobriety in society once you stay in a residential rehab center comes to an end 
  • It would be best if you had addiction rehab while continuing with aspects of your life, such as school or work 
  • You do not have support from your family and friends, which is often vital for sustaining sobriety in society 
  • Outpatient programs do not satisfy your drug detox treatment requirements 
Sober living may not be ideal in these situations. 
  1. You cannot afford the fees that halfway houses charge 
  2. Your addiction requires a more intensive treatment plan 
  3. You struggle to get along well with people, especially new faces, and you may violently resist their efforts to warm up to you or shut down 

Why Choose a Sober Living House in Malibu 

a group of friends hanging out by the beach, sober living los angeles, couples sober living, sober living house los angeles Choosing a facility to reside in during a sober living program can be challenging. There are many sober homes across Los Angeles, in California and beyond. Malibu is an excellent location for various reasons. 
  • Rest and recreation – getting used to a life free from drugs can be demanding. However, Malibu offers numerous outdoor opportunities to replenish your energy and enjoy your new life. You can surf, swim, hike, bask in the sun, or meditate. The scenic surroundings will make these activities enjoyable and help you through periods of mental exhaustion. 
  • Convenient location – Malibu is in a strategic area, 40 miles away from L.A. and near L.A. International Airport. This locale provides excellent proximity to aspects that can be important during your sober living. You can get away to interact with people, find a job, or travel easily while in a halfway house in Malibu. 
  • Inspiring natural beauty – Malibu has lush canyons, warm beaches, and magnificent views of the Pacific Ocean. These sceneries can help you relax during your sober living, which is crucial for ensuring the program works. 
Riviera Recovery provides excellent facilities for sober living in Malibu. We believe in putting our residents’ needs first, and we commit to high-quality standards. Our sober living homes are spacious, luxurious, and comfortable. Many of our previous residents have transitioned into a drug-free life in society successfully.  We have Pacific Palisades House, which is coed and Barrington House, which is an all-male center. We developed our facilities with the help of our rehab licensing consultant, who advised us through how to start the transition towards sober living. Some of the services we offer are weekly social activities, mentor meetings, food management systems, and transportation to and from 12-step meetings. 

Conclusion 

Quitting drugs and living a sober life can be difficult. Sober living is a crucial program for recovering addicts that want to transition into a life free from drugs. Residents in sober homes follow some guidelines as they integrate into society and sobriety.  Halfway houses provide more freedom than residential facilities, and inhabitants can stay in them as long as their recovery needs it. However, it may not be ideal in specific circumstances. Sober living homes in Malibu are located conveniently near various locations, and they have beautiful scenery to help you through sober living. Reach out to Riviera Recovery today to learn how we can help you transition to sobriety.
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Halfway Houses Vs. Sober Living Houses. What Is the Difference?

Aftercare is a very important aspect of drug use disorder treatment. The very first days or weeks are especially hard for patients who have just completed an inpatient detox program. Recovering addicts will experience multiple triggers and cravings, which will eventually lead to relapse. Most patients will take some time to get back into their lives. They usually choose to live in either living halfway houses or sober living houses. People often confuse the two because both are facilities used to help people ease from use disorder inpatient treatment to fully independent living. You should opt for either of these if you feel you need a little more time to stabilize before you can resume your healthy life. Halfway houses and sober living houses still have differences you need to consider before you select which facility you will spend your time in. 

What is a Halfway House?

woman in a yellow sweater sitting on a couch in a sober living home, sober living los angeles, couples sober living A halfway house is a residential facility that serves multiple groups of people who need rehab. Some are meant for people transitioning from prison life or jail other use for individuals who have a chronic mental illness, and others are house individuals aim towards sober living. In some cases, halfway houses are used to shelter the homeless. The Federal Government usually funds halfway, which eliminates all costs or maintains it at a low cost to the patients. There are public facilities and government agencies that operate them. The court orders most of the individuals to halfway houses. These residences normally offer a room and board facilities. There are a few of them that offer some therapeutic treatment and support, but in most cases, it is not available. However, they do offer group meetings that promote sober living and reinforce recovery.

The History of Halfway Houses

Halfway houses were introduced in the 18th century in England. Initially, they were meant to house and rehabilitate juveniles who had committed crimes. The United States adopted these residences to house individuals who had just left prison. Over time these houses have been used to shelter the homeless and, in recent times, two house individuals who have left an inpatient rehab facility.

What is a Sober Living House?

A sober living house is a residence owned by a private organization or individual for profit. Individuals sign up for a space in such residences voluntarily. These facilities vary from low cost and low amenity accommodations to luxurious accommodations. They are also available in diverse styles, for example, faith-based accommodations, 12-step accommodation, holistic residences, and more. The diversity makes it possible to offer a large number of people the appropriate help to transition from patient treatment to their healthy lifestyle. Sober living residences have strict rules and a zero-tolerance policy for substance possession and abuse. You do not necessarily have to start with an addiction treatment program before you join any sober living house. However, you will need to participate in their applications and weekly house meetings.

The Difference Between Sober Living and Halfway Houses

The right residence is necessary for practical sobriety skills. Differences between sober living and halfway houses will help you determine which residence is suitable for your sobriety skills and long-term recovery and abstinence. Some of the major differences include:
  1. A sober living house is usually run by an addiction treatment center or an individual. Halfway houses are funded by the government and operated by its agencies.
  2. Individuals go to sober living houses voluntarily. On the other hand, individuals will go to Halfway houses under Court orders.
  3. Halfway houses are built like dorms, while sober living houses are structured like private residences. As a result, sober living houses offer more privacy and comfort.
  4. These residences have a major cost difference. Halfway houses are cheaper because they get their funding from taxpayer’s money. However, the low price comes with fewer amenities. Sober living houses cost more, but insurance companies can help with the bill. The higher costs mean better services and facilities.

What Happens at a Sober Living Home?

Sober living houses host individuals suffering from various types of addictions, but behavioral addictions such as sexual compulsion or gambling are less common. Individuals who have a hard use disorder for the following substances have responded positively to a sober living environment—cocaine heroin alcohol methamphetamine. There are expectations and rules of living in a sober living home. two women having a conversation in a sober living house, sober living los angeles, couples sober living, sober living Sober living homes have staff members who are responsible for enforcing these rules to ensure that the environment is free of drugs and the individuals you are not tempted to relapse. As a resident in a Sober Living Home, you are expected to maintain sobriety, find work or go to job interviews, observe the curfew laws, complete the delegated choice in time and some facilities have mandatory 12 steps and recovery programs. You get to choose the period or the days to leave, but usually, the length of stay is between 3 to 12 months, which offers ample time to regain your security in terms of employment and sobriety. There are random drug tests in sober living Homes to ensure you the Residence is free of drugs. You can leave the sober living home after the agreed period, or you can leave freely if the court has not ordered you to be at the residence.

Halfway House Activities

  • Initiate your search for employment. You have access to a support system that schedules time for making applications and attending interviews.
  • Make living and housing arrangements. Some individuals will visit halfway houses and do not own a home. These residences present and time to look for housing. Others fear that their own homes may trigger a relapse. However, towards the end of your stay, you need to make housing arrangements and rules on how you will cope with Temptations and cravings.
  • Adjust to leading a sober life. You may be experiencing withdrawal symptoms and Temptations to relapse. The Residence has rules which will help you adjust two following these rules and leading a sober life.
  • Make amends. Actions of individuals who engage in substance use disorder affect those around them. You should try to reach out and make amends for your efforts. It is a liberating process that helps you rebuild your support network.

Riviera Sober Living – West Los Angeles Sober Living Homes

Riviera is a health and wellness community that sets its goals around wellness, independence, and community. We have a team of experienced local addiction consultants that help you to ease back into the community from a sober living facility. Our services focus on safety, empowerment, and support. We offer multiple services, including weekly mentor meetings, nutrition meetings, 24/7 rehab consulting staff, food management systems, random drug testing, weekly social activities, and more. Our organization offers two main facilities located in West Los Angeles. Palisades house is a coed residence, and the Barrington house only hosts male residents. You can choose between the two based on the convenience of the location and the type of patients admitted in the Residence. We have staff waiting ready to help you start your transition to living a healthy life today. 

Final Word

Sober living homes and halfway houses offer residences to help you back into your life and your community. Their main goal is similar, but they have significant differences, for example, most individuals go to Halfway houses under court order. In contrast, most individuals who visit sober living Homes go voluntarily. You will have access to addiction consultants who are ready to offer assistance at any time. Sober houses are usually more convenient and offer better amenities than halfway houses. Visit a halfway house If you wish to save on cost or are under court instructions. 
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