Zoran Zeremski / Getty Images

A sober living house is a peer-managed home designed to help people maintain sobriety.

This is achieved through required sobriety, recovery group attendance, and household participation.

This can be a critical time for your sobriety.

Diverse group of people sitting in circle in group therapy session.

Zoran Zeremski / Getty Images

This is where a sober living house comes in.

These are residential facilities that provide structure and support for those healing fromaddiction.

They are designed to be a transitional space from residential treatment to mainstream society.

Sober Living Houses

Most residents of these homes have recently completedan inpatient or outpatient treatment program.

Additionally, maintaining your sobriety typically requires a home that is free of substances.

Sober living facilities are often thought of as a sober person’s pipeline to life in mainstream society.

The History of Sober Living Houses

Sober living houses originated in the late 1940s.

They first came into existence when a group of active participants in theAlcoholics Anonymous groupcreated a 12-step residence.

Meetings were held both in the home and in neighboring organizations in the community.

Over the years,sober livinghouses have evolved to meet the needs of those in recovery.

As such, sober living associations now make finding a residence easier.

They are environments free of substance abuse where individuals can receive support from peers who are also in recovery.

There is no time limit on how long someone can live in a sober living house.

Halfway Houses

Halfway houses, also known as sober re-entry programs, tend to be more structured.

Sometimes they are designed specifically for formerly incarcerated folks.

Halfway houses have a limit to how long someone can live there.

A sober living house can be an excellent fit for many people.

In that case, a sober living residence may be a good fit for you.

Consider asking folks at a recovery meeting or touching base with anysober friendsyou may have.

If you recently completed atreatment program, hit up the staff there for referrals to local sober living homes.

Some halfway houses, or sober re-entry programs, are state-funded.

There are still options to get the support you need, even if finances are a stressor.

For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.

2015;10(1):A30.

2014;8(2):157-187. doi: 10.2190/SH.8.2.c

Martin L.Prisoner Reentry in the 21st Century.1st ed.

Oxfordshire, England, UK.