Choosing to go to rehab is a brave decision that is scary for most. Addiction takes over so much of someone’s life, and the thought of living without reliance on drugs or alcohol can seem impossible at first. However, understanding what to expect in a program and from life afterward can help alleviate a lot of worry.
At The Right Step Hill Country, we understand the fears of entering rehab, as well as the fears associated with leaving the safety net of treatment. The prospect of transitioning directly from rehab to home and everyday life can be intimidating for many people. That’s why our sober living program serves as a bridge between the two. Clients have the opportunity to live in a home-like environment that provides structure and continued programming with peers on a similar path. Sober living allows clients to practice the skills learned in rehab, while easing back into the demands of daily life.
Preparing for life after rehab
While picking up the phone to enroll in treatment requires bravery, and getting through detox and combating the issues that contributed to your addiction are challenging, you’re also surrounded by support. Additionally, triggers and temptations of the real world are kept at bay by the safety of a treatment environment. Once treatment is over, however, the real work of sobriety begins. And if you aren’t part of an aftercare program, the loss of structure can be detrimental to your hard-won progress.
At Hill Country, we help prepare clients who are leaving rehab in numerous ways, including creating aftercare and relapse prevention plans and offering alumni and aftercare programs. However, many clients need even more support during their early recovery days. This can be due to:
- Unhealthy relationships
- Unemployment
- Financial difficulties
- Housing insecurity
- A lack of support from family or friends
- Access to drugs and alcohol
These factors make choosing to participate in a sober living program beneficial for preparing for a sober life.
Benefits of a sober living program
A sober living program keeps you busy and engaged with ongoing treatment to strengthen your sobriety as you reenter daily life. While programs are structured, residents of Hill Country’s sober living program have a degree of independence. There are rules and regulations, as well as peer and staff support, to help residents maintain focus and accountability while learning to manage life’s responsibilities again.
The benefits of a sober living program include:
- Housing and food security
- Assistance with resume writing and job interviewing
- Family support programs
- Learning to manage finances
- Fostering the development of healthy daily routines
- Access to services and amenities
- Building a sober support network
- Rebuilding and putting life skills into practice
- Reducing the risk of relapse
Seeing peers maintain sobriety inspires residents of our sober living program to stay motivated and maintain a commitment to their recovery goals, while seeking gainful employment or going to school. Sober living residents are expected to follow rules, such as adhering to a curfew, participating in meetings, contributing to household chores, and taking random drug tests.
Helpful tips for living a sober life
While completing rehab is a significant accomplishment, it does not guarantee sobriety. Unfortunately, getting sober does not cure addiction. Instead, it teaches you to manage the disease. A life of recovery requires ongoing commitment. Consider the following helpful tips for living a sober life:
- Build a solid support network by staying connected with other sober people and participating in support groups like AA and NA where you can make genuine friendships with people walking the same road.
- Create and adhere to a daily routine to help you stay grounded and avoid idle time.
- Be honest with yourself about your cravings, and talk to others who can support you through them.
- Set small, realistic goals and celebrate your achievements.
- Find something that gives you purpose and fulfillment, like volunteering or a new hobby.
- Avoid people and places related to when you were living a life of substance use.
Your physical health and mental health are directly related. Take care of yourself by eating healthy, staying hydrated, exercising, and getting proper sleep. Practice yoga, meditation, journaling, or other activities that help keep you mindful of the present. Overall, be kind to yourself. Understand that recovery is not a constantly forward-moving process. If you slip back into old ways of thinking or behaving, don’t get stuck in them, and don’t beat yourself up. Dust yourself off and get back on track.
Enroll in Hill Country’s sober living program
Hill Country’s sober living program is designed to help people receive support to maintain sobriety in the early stages of recovery. Whether you are getting ready to leave inpatient treatment or need a supportive environment while going through outpatient treatment, our sober living program can provide the ongoing support you need. Call 1.844.675.1628 or complete the online form to enroll today.