Men’s Sober Living in Los Angeles

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Quitting drugs and alcohol isn’t easy, and sobriety can feel lonely. Some of the biggest challenges men face in recovery are finding sober friends and getting back to everyday life after treatment. For this reason, Riviera Recovery created a program for men’s sober living in Los Angeles, California.

During sober living, you can meet other men to build support systems and friendships in early recovery. In addition, you can learn the skills that you need to stay sober for long-term recovery. So, if you need a safe place to continue practicing sober living after rehab, our program is right for you.

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Substance Abuse in Men

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), “Men are more likely than women to use almost all types of illicit drugs.” As a result of illicit drug abuse, men are more likely than women to visit the emergency room or die due to overdose. In addition, men are more likely to have a physical dependence on illegal drugs or alcohol.

NIDA shares additional facts about substance abuse in men, such as:

Men addicted to marijuana are likely to have substance use issues and antisocial personality disorders
Men generally inject heroin in larger amounts more often than women who use heroin
Cocaine negatively affects blood flow in the brain more in men compared to women
Men usually have higher rates of alcohol use and binge drinking than women
Men are less likely to develop an addiction to prescription pills, like opioids and antidepressants than women
However, men are more likely to die from opioid overdoses than women

Overall, men and women have different substance abuse issues. To elaborate, one reason for this is that men and women respond differently to certain drugs. For instance, women are more sensitive to the effects of cocaine and ecstasy.

In addition, men and women also abuse drugs for different reasons. Women tend to abuse methamphetamine to lose weight and boost their energy, for example. Therefore, creating gender-specific sober living homes helps men and women find peers with similar experiences.

Why is Sober Living Gender-Specific?

Sober living is often gender-specific to minimize distractions during early recovery. Traditional gender roles can get in the way of recovery for men. For example, men are taught to never cry or show signs of weakness. As a result, men might feel uncomfortable expressing vulnerable feelings in front of women.

Furthermore, in mixed-gender environments, men are usually more stoic and less willing to share. However, men can open up more easily when they are shown that it is okay to be vulnerable. In other words, men need to be able to let their guard down to speak openly about their struggles.

In addition, men’s only sober living helps you find peers with similar issues. Men and women deal with different problems regarding addiction. For instance, they differ in the types of substances they use, social expectations regarding substance use, and underlying reasons for using drugs or alcohol. Thus, gender-specific sober living programs increase your chances of finding relatable peers.

Finally, gender-specific sober living reduces romantic or sexual feelings towards peers. Pursing romantic relationships in early recovery is not advised—especially between peers in recovery. These types of relationships can be a distraction. Therefore, gender-specific sober living helps you focus on yourself in early recovery.

What is Men’s Sober Living in Los Angeles Like?

Men’s sober living in Los Angeles extends your time in a structured environment after rehab. Whereas rehab is usually a lock-down facility with little independence, sober living is much less restrictive. At the same time, you still get structure, support, and guidance during men’s sober living.

Essentially, sober living is like practice for everyday life. You can get back to work or school. You can also mend relationships with loved ones and spend more time with family. However, you also get structure and can participate in additional outpatient services.

In sober living, you will follow a routine and share household chores with your peers. Most meals will be group meals to foster a sense of community. In addition, you can participate in sober recreational activities and peer support groups throughout the day.

Benefits of Men’s Sober Living in Los Angeles

Men’s sober living in Los Angeles reduces isolation, decreases the risk of relapse, and makes recovery more enjoyable. While rehab taught you the skills you need, sober living gives you the space to practice sobriety.

In addition, sober living offers the following benefits to men in recovery:

Teaches Life Skills

Addiction to drugs and alcohol can affect your ability to take care of yourself. For example, you might not know the basics of maintaining a home or balancing your budget. During sober living, you can learn real-life skills, such as:

Healthy meal preparation
Finding safe and affordable housing
Seeking employment
Returning to school
Creating a daily routine

These skills are valuable to a healthy life in recovery. In sober living, peers help each other maintain household responsibilities. Your peers and staff also encourage you to achieve your goals beyond your sobriety.

Build Meaningful Relationships

Relationships often suffer during active addiction. You might have hurt loved ones along the way. In addition, you need to distance yourself from toxic individuals who enable your addiction. As a result, you might find yourself feeling lonely, which can trigger a relapse.

Sober living homes foster a sense of community among men in recovery. You will be surrounded by like-minded people sharing similar goals. Thus, these friendships provide valuable support as you get back to your everyday life after treatment.

Structure and Routine

Addiction can throw your life into chaos. Creating a routine within a structured environment can help you put your life back together. You might not realize the value of following a simple daily schedule and routine. However, during sober living, you will be expected to keep a schedule and work towards your goals as well.

Without a structure to your life, you allow yourself to be swept up in the moment. Secondly, you are more likely to feel overwhelmed or bored. As a result, you are susceptible to a relapse. Therefore, creating more structure in your life will keep you focused on sobriety.

Reduces the Risk of Relapse

Relapse is common during early recovery. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), relapse rates for addiction are about 40 to 60%. Addiction is a chronic, relapsing disease. As such, treating addiction requires long-term maintenance to reduce the risk.

Men’s sober living reduces the risk of relapse by holding you accountable for your sobriety. Many programs require regular or randomized drug and alcohol testing. In addition, your peers and staff will encourage you to stay sober throughout recovery.

Transition to Everyday Life

Finally, the overall benefit of sober living is a successful transition to your everyday life. When returning home after rehab, you might not be ready or able to continue sobriety. Often, stressors from everyday life trigger substance abuse, leading to a relapse.

However, you can bridge the gap between rehab and everyday life by spending time in sober living. Many programs help connect you to services you might need to successfully live on your own. For example, you could find safe and secure housing with help from your staff through housing assistance programs. Above all, sober living gives you the space to troubleshoot issues in everyday life while getting support to succeed.

Men’s Sober Living in Los Angeles, CA

Riviera Recovery offers men’s sober living in Los Angeles, California. We understand that sobriety can feel overwhelming, confusing, and lonely. That is why we structure our programs to help you achieve your goals while learning to make friends and have fun in sobriety. To take the next step toward your recovery, contact us or visit our admissions page today.