Sober Living

Name: Riviera Recovery
Address: 2827 S Barrington Ave, Los Angeles, CA, 90064, US
Telephone: 855-207-9708

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Sober Living

Recovering from an addiction to drugs or alcohol takes resiliency and perseverance. For many, going through treatment is extremely beneficial, but more support is needed after their program is completed. That is where our sober living in Los Angeles comes in.

Sober living gives those in recovery the opportunity to strengthen the foundation they have built for themselves in a real-life setting. The possibilities are endless when it comes to our sober living in Los Angeles, as this is where individuals can truly begin building out their bright, sober futures.

What Are Sober Living Homes?

Addiction is a disease that, for many, requires several levels of treatment and support. After a person has completed their initial treatment program, they may not feel fully prepared to immerse themselves back into everyday life. These individuals can benefit from living in a sober living home as they continue to map out their own unique road to recovery.

Sober living homes are where individuals in recovery cohabitate with one another for a period of time. These homes are 100% drug and alcohol free. For some, these sober living homes are their only option, as they do not have a place to return to or loved ones who are willing to give them a place to stay. Others utilize sober living to strengthen the structure of their recovery to prevent future chances of relapse. Whatever the reason, these homes have high retention rates and have proven to increase the length of time that individuals remain in recovery once getting sober.

Part of the draw to sober living homes is that they do not possess the same amount of structure and monitoring as inpatient treatment does. Residents can continue to benefit from the support they receive from their housemates. They also give residents freedom to come and go as they please (outside of curfew). This provides residents with the ability to build out their days in ways that keep their recovery at the forefront but also allow them to do everyday things such as go to work, grocery shop, workout at the gym, meet with friends, and so on.

Most importantly of all, sober living homes help those in recovery keep from feeling socially isolated in the beginning stages. Working towards developing a lifestyle that is shared among other close companions is often what does the trick for most.

What To Expect At Sober Living

Those residing at a Los Angeles sober living home can expect to benefit from the slowed down transition that they are getting. And, during that time, there are a number of different things that they can expect. For example, individuals are able to come and go as they please, which is much different than what is seen in inpatient treatment settings. This means that individuals can set up their days and nights how they choose without having to stay at the house all the time. In that same breath, however, many residents of sober living homes set a curfew for the household to help promote their recovery. This may be a possibility depending on what sober living home a person lives in.

Just because individuals are no longer in 24/7 treatment does not mean that they do not have to participate in therapy any longer. When living in a sober living home, individuals can expect to still go to therapy sessions. They can also expect to be held accountable for their attendance to group counseling sessions.

The blend of treatment and freedom that individuals can obtain in sober living homes is one that can encourage their continued success in recovery. Individuals can expect to learn how to balance their daily lives and lean on others for support when necessary. They can expect to learn these skills and more as they work to make this transition, as well as the following:

All formal treatment services are not offered on-site, rather on an outpatient basis
There are no therapists, counselors, or other addiction specialists living within the sober living home, only others who are in recovery
It is expected that all residents remain sober while living on the premises
Residents should be prepared to pay rent, have money for groceries, uphold household chores, etc.
All residents who want to invite home visitors may have to clear it first with their roommates and/or the facility
Residents of a sober living home will have a curfew

Benefits of Sober Living

Arguably the greatest benefit of sober living is the time, space, and peace that individuals can obtain prior to getting back to their daily lives. But that is certainly not the only benefit that comes along with sober living. Some of the most notable benefits of sober living include, but are not limited to, the following:

Safe environment — As unfortunate as it may be, many people who are new in recovery do not have a home or safe place to go back to when their treatment is over. Having a sober living option can be lifesaving in these instances. But, regardless of if there is a safe place outside of treatment to live or not, sober living offers individuals an environment where they can continue to grow their recovery without non-stop interference from the outside world.
Constant support — When in a sober living home, you are not living alone. Instead, you are living with others who are also new to recovery and who are striving to maintain their sobriety. You will see your roommates every day, which is a major benefit because you can always rely on them to be your support system when you need it most (and vice versa).
Sense of independence — Most people who transition into sober living homes have come from inpatient treatment, where they followed a strict schedule at the facility where they were receiving care. But in a sober living home, individuals can gain a strong sense of independence as they work to establish their own schedules. They learn to balance recreational time, therapy, career, socialization, and so on in a manner that is not attainable while in inpatient treatment.
Reducing the risk of relapse — Studies show that the longer that someone is in treatment or participating in a therapeutic service such as sober living, they increase their odds of remaining in recovery. So, when someone stays in a sober living home, they are reducing their risk of relapse, which is the end goal.

As with any type of professional addiction treatment or service, participants have to put forth the effort and dedication in order to achieve these and other benefits. But, with the drive to transform their lives, individuals can reach their goals.

Sober Living vs. Halfway Houses

Sober living homes and halfway houses are often confused for the same thing. While these two types of recovery residences are focused on helping those in the beginning stages of their sobriety, they possess different features.

For starters, sober living homes are typically run by a treatment facility or closely linked to a recovery program of sorts. Halfway houses are usually government run and funded. It is highly common to see a larger population of recovering individuals in halfway houses that have just finished serving jail time or probation. Sober living homes are more likely to have residents who are coming out of a treatment program at a local facility.

Sober living homes have more of a structure than halfway houses, as they have house rules and even curfew. Halfway houses can get easily crowded, while sober living homes provide residents with individual spaces. But, halfway houses are usually cheaper than sober living homes, making them easier to access.

There is no right or wrong choice to be made when considering continued care to solidify recovery. For some, halfway houses are exactly what they need, while for others, sober living homes are a better fit.

Gender-Specific Sober Living Homes

Gender-specific sober living homes can help make residents feel comfortable and secure at a time when they are vulnerable and possibly unsure of themselves. Similar to gender-specific treatment, gender-specific sober living homes provide an environment for residents that feels non-threatening and welcoming. Both men and women can benefit from residing in gender-specific sober living homes for a number of reasons.

Sober living homes are set up in a way where residents either have their own individual rooms or they share a room with another resident. Areas of the home like the living room, kitchen, and bathroom are usually all communal. It is easy to understand why men and women may prefer to living in gender-specific sober living homes when considering sharing bathrooms and having bedrooms so close in proximity to one another. Outside of it being simply uncomfortable for some, the presence of the opposite sex can be triggering.

Many women in recovery from drug or alcohol addiction have had traumatic experiences at the hands of men. This includes sexual assault and rape, abandonment, physical violence, and emotional abuse. While the men living in the sober home may pose no threat to the women, those women who are working through their male-related trauma may be at risk for relapsing because of their insecurities in a gender-shared environment.

Additionally, gender-specific sober living homes help to prevent distraction by members of both sexes. Those who are self-identified straight can lose their focus if living with members of the opposite sex, especially if they become interested in another resident. While there is nothing wrong with shared romantic interest, it can distract from the main goal of the residents, which is to solidify their sobriety. Plus, it is typically recommended that those in recovery abstain from developing a romantic relationship with another individual for the first year of their sobriety for the same purposes.

What is Sober Living Like in Los Angeles?

Our luxury Los Angeles sober living homes help individuals create a better sense of purpose in a structured and supportive community. Within each of our houses, clients are given the opportunity to build a framework of new beliefs, patterns, behaviors, and systems that will enable them to develop a fulfilling life and prepare them for growth. Close to Santa Monica College, local restaurants, AA meetings, and more, our sober living community provides accountability, and continuous therapy and support through our clinical partnerships, all backed by a beautiful and relaxing setting the Los Angeles area.

If you have questions about our sober living services, call us right now. We are here to help.

Discover The Possibilities of A New Life

Riviera Recovery offers gender-specific structured sober living in the Los Angeles area. If you or a loved one are suffering from addiction or mental health issues, change is just one phone call away. Call us now at 855-207-9708 or learn more by filling out the form below.