9% of Californians met the criteria for substance use disorders in 2022. That’s a huge percentage, so if you fall into it, know that you’re not alone.
If you’ve already started the recovery process, you should feel proud. It’s a huge and difficult step to take. But what comes next?
If you’re looking for rehab alternatives or things to do after intensive rehabilitation, we’re here to talk about a great place you can go while you transition back to your real life: Sober living homes.
Read on to learn all about the benefits of California sober living homes.
1. Accountability
When you join the community at a sober living home, you’re joining a group of potential accountability partners. Both your housemates and the professionals who are helping you with your big life transition are going to help you stay accountable and maintain your sobriety.
When you go straight from rehab back to your “normal environment,” you may not have anyone around to help you stay sober. Perhaps you don’t have any other sober friends, or you live alone.
Sober living in Santa Monica, CA can be a challenge without an accountability partner.
There are also always people around to hold you accountable when it comes to your goals. Perhaps you want to learn a new skill that will help you get back to normal life. At home, it’s so hard to do that when there are so many other distractions and no one is watching.
Sober living homes in California are full of people who are not only watching but rooting for you.
2. A Supportive Environment
Speaking of having people rooting for you, California sober living homes are full of supportive peers and staff. Everyone wants you to succeed.
In the “real world,” your friends want you to be happy and successful, but they may not know how to support you appropriately unless they’ve also been through the struggles of addiction.
In sober living houses in Venice Beach, CA, you’ll be surrounded by people who understand what you’re going through. They’ve either been through the situation themselves or they’ve dedicated their careers to helping others with their addictions (or, in some cases, both).
There are very few places in which you can get such incredible support.
3. An Easier Transition
It’s not really true that a sober living home is an alternative to rehab. For most people, it’s a transitional space. After you finish your initial recovery period, sober living homes in Southern California are there to ease you back into the “real world.”
Venice Beach sober living homes let you return to semi-normalcy while still allowing you to adjust to no longer being in rehab. You’ll still have help, support, and access to resources, but you’ll also have more freedom than you would if you were in residential addiction treatment.
You can still take care of some of your responsibilities and start doing things for yourself, but you’re not yet thrown back into the hustle and bustle of real life.
That softer transition may help you succeed when you’re finally ready to be on your own again.
4. An Excellent Atmosphere
One of the best things about sober living homes in Santa Monica or Venice Beach specifically is that you’ll be in a truly luxurious environment.
What’s better than recovering on the beach? You get to live somewhere that’s peaceful, fun, and gorgeous. You can look out the window and see the beauty of California every day.
Your environment plays a role in your recovery. If you live somewhere that you don’t enjoy, you may be more likely to turn to drugs or alcohol to make your situation feel better. You’re at a greater risk of that when you’re in the early stages of your recovery.
If you’re in sober living in Venice, CA, you’re automatically in a beautiful place that may bring you joy.
5. Less Stress
Would you consider your home life stressful?
Many people are overburdened with responsibilities. Between work, family life, social obligations, and all of the other tasks that keep life busy, you may be under significant stress at home.
Going from the calm and quiet rehab center straight back to a stressful home could be triggering. Stress is not good for your recovery.
Santa Monica sober living homes include responsibilities and routines, but they’re less stressful than the “real world.”
6. Routine Development
Routines are critical for people in recovery.
When you’re enjoying your time in a sober living home, you’re going to be going through specific daily and weekly routines. Many of your routine activities will be enjoyable (like yoga and equine therapy), but some of them will be challenging.
This is a good thing.
When you develop a routine, you’re getting your life under control. A lack of structure isn’t good for someone who’s struggling with their sobriety.
Once you learn how to stick to a consistent routine in sober living in Venice Beach, you’ll have an easier time sticking with a similar routine when you go back home.
7. Relapse Prevention and Sobriety Maintenence
At the end of the day, relapse prevention is the most important benefit of a sober living home.
The relapse rate for substance use disorders is between 40% and 60%. Relapse is normal, and many people consider it a part of recovery. However, it can also be incredibly frustrating and scary.
When you’re in a sober living home, you’re giving yourself a better chance against an early relapse. You deserve that chance.
Are Sober Living Homes Good Rehab Alternatives?
Sober living homes aren’t rehab alternatives per se, but they are excellent additions to your recovery process.
When you’re in your sober living home in gorgeous California, you’ll experience less stress, you’ll be surrounded by supportive peers and staff, and you’ll lower your chances of relapse.
If you’re ready to start your California sober living journey, we want to meet you. At The Little Beach House, our residents live relaxing (but structured) lives to help them with their sobriety.
Contact us to learn more about our program today.
