After leaving an inpatient program, many an alcoholic or addict on the newly revealed yet still uncertain road to recovery finds himself at a crossroads.  Now that he is physically sober and possesses a solid base of knowledge, the alcoholic may feel like he has his problem “licked.”  Truth be told, though, most addicts and alcoholics need far more time in a structured environment than the traditional 30, 60, or 90-day stay in an inpatient program can offer.  So, then, what next?  The answer most addiction specialists recommend, including the now-famous Dr. Drew Pinsky, is sober living.  While not definitively restrictive, most sober living facilities implement a curfew, drug testing, light chores, a weekly or bi-weekly house meeting, and mandatory 12-step meeting attendance to keep their residents accountable…and accountability is something all alcoholics must learn if they stand any chance of staying sober.

Staying Sober In An Orange County Sober Living Facility

Now, of course, it would be ludicrous to suggest that one must relocate to a particular city in order to reap the full benefits of the sober living experience.  Sobriety is possible anywhere.  That said, if you are looking to relocate or already hail from Southern California, and Orange County sober living might be the perfect option.  As anyone who has watched recent reality television knows, Orange County boasts dozens of breathtaking coastal destinations.  At the risk of sounding grotesquely clichéd, it’s an ideal, tranquil environment for someone navigating the stormy seas of recovery to sit back, breathe deeply, and reflect.  Also, for those alcoholics and addicts who consider themselves young or “young-at-heart,” Orange County is also the home of a thriving, active population of sober young people.

Glitz, Glamour, Diversity, and Support: Sober Living Los Angeles Style

Thanks to television shows like Celebrity Rehab, as well as a generally heightened public awareness of rehab culture, Los Angeles has become the rehabilitation destination for the addicted.  Anyone in recovery will tell you that there is nothing “glitzy” or “glamorous” about facing one’s demons and getting sober, but that aside, L.A. is an ideal locale for building or rebuilding your sober life.  So what does sober living Los Angeles style mean or even look like?  Choosing to build a foundation in recovery in Los Angeles means that you will be plugging yourself into one of the largest, most socially and ethnically diverse networks of recovering individuals in the world.  There are tens of thousands of AA meetings every week in Los Angeles proper alone, so staying in the middle of the herd is easy and exciting.  People from all walks of life, all levels of education and experience, and all corners of the globe recover together in Los Angeles…come see it in action.

With so many alcohol treatment centers available, how do you know which one is right for you? Doing research will ease this confusion and it is also better to know what to expect before you make this life changing commitment to drug treatment. All the aspects of addiction are catered to the special needs of recovering addicts. The first step of addiction treatment is alcohol detoxification, where the body may go through some uncomfortable withdrawal. It is important to have medical oversight, as professionals are experienced with dealing with these symptoms and can do their best to lessen the effect. Researching the methods of drug rehabilitation will help you cope during this tumultuous time in your life.

Variety in Alcoholism Treatment

At any reputable alcoholism treatment facility, it is important for patients to be informed and educated about the rehabilitation process. Rehabilitation consists of more than just detoxification. It is a place of healing where newly recovering individuals will gain confidence about their newly found sobriety. Although not all treatment centers are the same, many amenities offered are similar. For example, physical activity is encouraged for troubled teenagers where older adults may find exercise and yoga to be a relaxing component. An aftercare program is perhaps the most important part of the recovery process. All the progress made during rehabilitation is fleeting if active efforts are not made to maintain a new sober lifestyle.

Aftercare and Sober Living

Promoting sober living is easier said than done. Maintaining sobriety during the first few months will often make or break an individual’s likeliness of success. This is not meant to frighten those in recovery, as obstacles are expected as a part of the journey. So, what does sober living exactly entail? It is anything done to promote a life of abstaining from the use of drugs and alcohol. Keeping necessary medical appointments and therapy sessions will help an individual maintain a healthy structure of support. This encouragement is necessary to living a long and healthy drug-free life.

Sober Living

There is a discomforting feeling associated with losing control. Having control over your actions, your body, your cravings, etc., is an important characteristic to have. Unfortunately, this ability to control what you do, what you consume, what you say, etc., can become completely lost when drugs and/or alcohol come into the picture. Everyone says “I have the ability to stop when I want to,” and for many this is true. However, for a large percentage of people, the addictive substances and chemicals in drugs and alcohol can overpower their ability to control themselves. Addiction and alcoholism are examples of losing control. When a person becomes addicted to drugs they no longer have control over their life—the drug does. The same goes for alcohol. With this loss of control often comes shame. Nobody wants to admit that they have lost control of their life, which contributes to their denial of the problem. Because of this, many people require outside support in order for them to consider recovery. Suggestions of sober living homes or alcohol and drug treatment programs from friends and family can expose the severity of the problem to the addicted individual, which can then encourage them to recover.

Alcohol Drug Treatment Centers

Understanding the various alcohol drug treatment centers available is important. Different treatment centers offer different programs. For some people, inpatient rehabilitation is effective, for others, outpatient rehabilitation can do the trick. It is important to figure out what program, or what method of treatment works best and is most effective for you or for a loved one.

Sober Living Homes

Sober living homes offer individuals a comfortable atmosphere in which they can learn to live without using. The relaxed and encouraging environment paired with the camaraderie among residents is an excellent base to establish and maintain sobriety.

12-step Rehab In Sober Living Facilities

Most sober living homes require residents to attend several NA, AA or other 12-step rehab style meetings every week to continue the recovery process.  Often residents will carpool to these meetings, providing each other with support and assistance.

Visiting Family While In An Inpatient Alcohol Rehab

The privilege of visiting family or friends for extended periods is not guaranteed to all residents who are in an inpatient alcohol rehab. For each patient, a decision is made based on many different factors including the resident’s relapse history, the home situation and possible hazardous people and substances. Depending on the home and each resident, the privilege of returning home for the weekend occasionally extended once the patient has completed the required inhouse stay. In many sober living homes, residents are allowed a pass on Friday evening, through Sunday morning. This allows eligible residents to spend an entire weekend day with their loved ones.

Is There An Affordable Drug Treatment Plan?

The real question about the cost of a drug treatment plan, is what is; the cost of continued addiction? Most sober living homes charge a very small amount of money for rent in comparison to private residential apartments, making it more affordable drug rehab than trying to continue to maintain sobriety alone. With the combination of support from other recovering addicts, curfews and other supervisory restrictions, and the encouragement of employment and education, sober living homes provide all the tools necessary to guide recovering addicts and alcoholics along the path to sobriety. Residents have an opportunity to experience real life and still maintain the safety of a sober living environment.